Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68610-68613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24902]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0885; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01429-T; 
Amendment 39-22209; AD 2022-21-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 
702); CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550); CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705); CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900); and CL-600-2E25 
(Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports 
that the landing gear age of certain airplanes was higher than expected 
for gear overhaul, which could increase the risk of corrosion. This AD 
requires verifying the calendar age of the nose landing gear (NLG) and 
main

[[Page 68611]]

landing gear (MLG) by way of component maintenance documents, and 
performing corrective actions if necessary. This AD also prohibits 
installing certain components. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 21, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 21, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0885; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact MHI RJ Aviation Group, Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des 
Grandes-Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, Qu[eacute]bec J7H 0E2 Canada; 
North America toll-free telephone 833-990-7272 or direct-dial telephone 
450-990-7272; fax 514-855-8501; email mhirj.com">thd.crj@mhirj.com; website 
mhirj.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0885.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jiwan Karunatilake, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-
7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702); CL-600-2C11 
(Regional Jet Series 550); CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705); CL-
600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900); and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet 
Series 1000) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
July 21, 2022 (87 FR 43450). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2021-49, 
dated December 20, 2021, issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada (referred to after 
this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the landing gear age of certain 
airplanes was higher than expected for gear overhaul. The MCAI notes 
that undetected corrosion could lead to MLG and/or NLG collapse, and 
consequent damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require verifying the calendar age 
of the NLG and MLG by way of component maintenance documents, and 
performing corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to 
prohibit installing certain components. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0885.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined 
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    MHI RJ has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-32-062, dated December 2, 
2021. This service information describes procedures for, among other 
actions, verifying the calendar age of the NLG and MLG by way of 
component maintenance documents and for removing affected landing gear 
components and replacing them with serviceable components. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 624 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................              $0             $340         $212,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 32 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $340,000....  Up to $342,720.
 hour = Up to $2,720.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 68612]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-21-10 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22209; Docket No. FAA-2022-0885; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01429-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 21, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC airplanes identified 
in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702).
    (2) Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550).
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705).
    (4) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900).
    (5) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the landing gear age of 
certain airplanes was higher than expected for gear overhaul. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of undetected 
corrosion due to landing gear age that could lead to main landing 
gear (MLG) and/or nose landing gear (NLG) collapse, and consequent 
damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Determination of Component Calendar Age

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Verify the 
airplane and/or the airplane technical records to determine whether 
any MLG and NLG components are affected components based on their 
calendar age, in accordance with Section 2, Part A, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin (SB) 670BA-
32-062, Revision A, dated December 2, 2021.

(h) Removal and Replacement of Affected NLG Components

    (1) Within the applicable compliance time indicated in figure 1 
to paragraph (h) of this AD: Remove the affected NLG components 
identified in paragraph (g) of this AD in accordance with Section 2, 
Part B, of the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ SB 670BA-32-
062, Revision A, dated December 2, 2021.
    (2) Before further flight after removal of the affected 
components, replace the removed components with serviceable 
components, in accordance with Section 2, Part D, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ SB 670BA-32-062, Revision A, 
dated December 2, 2021.

[[Page 68613]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16NO22.004

(i) Removal and Replacement of Affected MLG Components

    (1) Within the applicable compliance time indicated in figure 1 
to paragraph (h) of this AD: Remove the affected MLG components 
identified in paragraph (g) of this AD in accordance with Section 2, 
Part E or H, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
MHI RJ SB 670BA-32-062, Revision A, dated December 2, 2021.
    (2) Before further flight after removing the affected 
components, replace the removed components with serviceable 
components, in accordance with Section 2, Part G or J, as 
applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ SB 670BA-
32-062, Revision A, dated December 2, 2021.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, any MLG or NLG component with a calendar age of 12 
years or more unless it has been overhauled in accordance with 
Section 2, Part C, F, or I, as applicable, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of MHI RJ SB 670BA-32-062, Revision A, dated December 
2, 2021.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, any MLG or NLG 
component with a calendar age of less than 12 years may be installed 
on any airplane, provided it is overhauled in accordance with 
Section 2 Part C, F, or I, as applicable, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of MHI RJ SB 670BA-32-062, Revision A, dated December 
2, 2021, prior to reaching 12 years' component calendar age.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If 
sending information directly to the manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight 
Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO 
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or MHI RJ 
Aviation ULC's TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved 
by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(l) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to TCCA AD CF-2021-49, dated December 20, 2021, for 
related information. This TCCA AD may be found in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0885.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Jiwan 
Karunatilake, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) MHI RJ Service Bulletin 670BA-32-062, Revision A, dated 
December 2, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact MHI 
RJ Aviation Group, Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des Grandes-
Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, Qu[eacute]bec J7H 0E2 Canada; 
North America toll-free telephone 833-990-7272 or direct-dial 
telephone 450-990-7272; fax 514-855-8501; email mhirj.com">thd.crj@mhirj.com; 
website mhirj.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 3, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-24902 Filed 11-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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