Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 232 (Monday, December 5, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74298-74301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26354]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0677; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01378-T; 
Amendment 39-22230; AD 2022-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by the investigation of erroneous radio altimeter data that 
was displayed on an in-service airplane. It was revealed that certain 
radio altimeter coaxial cables used by the radio altimeter systems, in 
the aft fuselage equipment bay, were damaged. This AD requires 
replacing affected radio altimeter coaxial cables. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 9, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 9, 
2023.

[[Page 74299]]


ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0677; 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 Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 
C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 
telephone 1-514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet 
bombardier.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-2022-0677.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Niczky, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7347; 
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 certain Bombardier, 
Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on June 13, 2022 (87 FR 35686). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
CF-2021-45, dated December 7, 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 erroneous radio 
altimeter data was displayed on an in-service airplane. It was revealed 
that certain radio altimeter coaxial cables in the aft fuselage 
equipment bay had been reported damaged (from radio altimeters A28 and 
A29 to antennas), due their light weight construction, and their 
proximity to the access door on the eBay. The damage to or kinks in the 
radio altimeter coaxial cables, if not corrected, could lead to signal 
loss or degradation, and possibly un-annunciated loss of terrain 
awareness warning system aural cues during approach.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing affected radio 
altimeter coaxial cables. 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-2022-0677.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Netjets. The following presents the 
comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Refer to Updated Bombardier Service Bulletin

    Netjets stated Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 
02, dated April 5, 2022, has been released. The FAA infers that Netjets 
is requesting that the proposed AD be revised to refer to Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022 (the 
proposed AD refers to Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 
01, dated August 31, 2020, as the appropriate source of service 
information).
    The FAA agrees with the request. Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-
91-7502, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022, adds minor changes that do 
not affect the substantive requirements proposed in the NPRM, including 
adding references to an advisory document and the MCAI AD. The FAA has 
revised this final rule to refer to Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-
7502, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022. The FAA has also revised 
paragraph (i) of this AD to provide credit for actions done in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 01, 
dated August 31, 2020.

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, considered the 
comment received, 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, 
and any other changes described previously, 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

    The FAA reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 
02, dated April 5, 2022. This service information specifies procedures 
for replacing affected radio altimeter coaxial cables. The replacement 
includes removing the existing radio altimeter coaxial cables, 
replacing with new coaxial cables, installing new clamps to accommodate 
the coaxial bend radius along the coaxial routing, and re-routing new 
radio altimeter coaxial cables from the wing to fuselage fairing, in 
the left and right aft fuselage, and in the aft fuselage belly fairing.
    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 27 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70 work-hours x $85 per hour = $5,950........................         $13,808          $19,758         $533,466
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

[[Page 74300]]

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:

2022-23-03 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-22230; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0677; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01378-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 9, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 
airplanes, serial numbers 70006 through 70053 inclusive, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the investigation of erroneous radio 
altimeter data that was displayed on an in-service airplane. It was 
revealed that certain radio altimeter coaxial cables in the aft 
fuselage equipment bay were damaged. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address damage to or kinks in the radio altimeter coaxial cables, 
which could lead to signal loss or degradation, and possibly un-
annunciated loss of terrain awareness warning system aural cues 
during approach.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement of Radio Altimeter Coaxial Cables

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
affected radio altimeter coaxial cables, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-
7502, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022, except as specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD.

 (h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 02, 
dated April 5, 2022, specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the service information identified in 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, dated February 6, 2020; or 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 01, dated August 
31, 2020.

(j) 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 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to TCCA AD CF-2021-45, dated December 7, 2021, for 
related information. This TCCA AD may be found in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0677.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Thomas Niczky, 
Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7347; email [email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(l) 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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-91-7502, Revision 02, dated 
April 5, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 
C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 
telephone 1-514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet 
bombardier.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.


[[Page 74301]]


    Issued on October 27, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26354 Filed 12-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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