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

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 249 (Thursday, December 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80031-80034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0141; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01052-T; 
Amendment 39-22283; AD 2022-26-04]
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-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an oxygen-fed ground 
fire event potentially caused by electrical arcing from a faulty 
surround light wire on the third crew member's (observer) oxygen mask. 
This AD was also prompted by the determination that additional 
inspections and a bracket trim are needed to address the unsafe 
condition. This AD requires an inspection for discrepancies of the 
observer's oxygen mask stowage box and stowage compartment, oxygen hose 
connections and routing, and the associated electrical harness, and 
corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the oxygen mask flexible 
lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment panel, including 
rerouting the electrical harness and applying protective sealant. This 
AD also requires an inspection for correct installation of the flexible 
lamp assembly; trimming and reidentifying a bracket; and for certain 
airplanes, an inspection for damage of the wire harness assembly; and 
applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 2, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 2, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0141; 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

[[Page 80032]]

(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-2022-0141.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Electrical Systems 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-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2022 (87 FR 10752). 
The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2021-32, dated September 17, 2021, 
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32). Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32 states 
that an oxygen-fed ground fire event was potentially caused by 
electrical arcing from a faulty surround light wire on the third crew 
member's (observer) oxygen mask. An investigation determined that the 
oxygen supply hose connecting to the rear of the observer oxygen mask 
box assembly could be subject to chafing damage.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for 
discrepancies of the observer's oxygen mask stowage box and storage 
compartment, oxygen hose connections and routing, and the associated 
electrical harness, and corrective actions if necessary; and modifying 
the oxygen mask flexible lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment 
panel, including rerouting the electrical harness and applying 
protective sealant.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all MHI RJ 
Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 21, 
2022 (87 FR 63970). The SNPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-
2021-32R1, dated July 25, 2022 (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI 
states that since Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32 was issued, an 
operator reporting a fouling condition between the power feed wires for 
the stowage box light strip and an existing aluminum bracket in the 
entrance monument mask stowage compartment. The SNPRM was also prompted 
by the determination that additional inspections and a bracket trim are 
needed to address the unsafe condition. In the SNPRM, the FAA again 
proposed to require an inspection for discrepancies of the observer's 
oxygen mask stowage box and storage compartment, oxygen hose 
connections and routing, and the associated electrical harness, and 
corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the oxygen mask flexible 
lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment panel, including 
rerouting the electrical harness and applying protective sealant. In 
the SNPRM, the FAA further proposed to require an inspection for 
correct installation of the flexible lamp assembly; trimming and 
reidentifying a bracket; and for certain airplanes, an inspection for 
damage of the wire harness assembly; and applicable corrective actions. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible damage to the observer 
oxygen mask supply hoses and a potential for an oxygen-fed fire in the 
vicinity of the observer oxygen mask storage compartment.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0141.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the SNPRM without change.

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, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision B, 
dated April 21, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for 
doing a general visual inspection for discrepancies, including elbow 
fitting clocking (rotation), sealing tape installed in a certain 
location, wire damage (e.g., cuts, nicks, kinks, insulation damage) of 
the observer's oxygen mask stowage box and storage compartment, the 
observer's mask oxygen hose connections, the hose routing, and the 
associated electrical harness, and applicable corrective actions; and 
modifying the oxygen mask flexible lamp harness, mounting plate, and 
compartment panel, including rerouting the electrical harness and 
applying protective sealant. Corrective actions include re-positioning 
the elbow fitting, removing sealing tape, and repairing wiring. This 
service information also specifies procedures for an inspection for 
correct installation of the flexible lamp assembly; trimming and 
reidentifying a bracket; and for certain airplanes, an inspection for 
damage of the wire harness assembly; and applicable corrective actions. 
Corrective actions include correcting flexible lamp assembly 
installations and repair.
    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 407 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 80033]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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             Labor cost                    Parts cost           Cost per product       Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 9 work-hours x $85 per hour =  Up to $115............  Up to $880...........               Up to $358,160.
 Up to $765.
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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:

2022-26-04 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22283; Docket No. FAA-2022-0141; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01052-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 2, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet 
Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an oxygen-fed ground fire 
event potentially caused by electrical arcing from a faulty surround 
light wire on the third crew member's (observer) oxygen mask. An 
investigation determined that the oxygen supply hose connecting to 
the rear of the observer oxygen mask box assembly could be subject 
to chafing damage. This AD was also prompted by the determination 
that additional inspections and a bracket trim are needed to address 
the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible 
damage to the observer oxygen mask supply hoses and a potential for 
an oxygen-fed fire in the vicinity of the observer oxygen mask 
storage compartment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 4,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do the actions in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes on which the actions specified in MHI RJ 
Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, dated June 1, 2021; or MHI RJ Service 
Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision A, dated October 12, 2021; have not 
been accomplished: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) 
and (ii) of this AD.
    (i) Do a general visual inspection for discrepancies of the 
observer's oxygen mask stowage box and stowage compartment, the 
observer's mask oxygen hose connections, the hose routing, and the 
associated electrical harness; reroute the electrical harness and 
apply protective sealant in accordance with Part A. Section 2.B. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-
022, Revision B, dated April 21, 2022. If any discrepancies are 
found, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, 
in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision B, dated April 21, 
2022.
    (ii) Modify the oxygen mask flexible lamp harness, mounting 
plate, and compartment panel, including rerouting the electrical 
harness; apply protective sealant; inspect the flexible lamp 
assembly for correct installation; and trim and reidentify the 
bracket; in accordance with Part A. Section 2.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, 
Revision B, dated April 21, 2022. Do all applicable flexible lamp 
assembly installation corrections before further flight in 
accordance with Part A. Section 2.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision B, 
dated April 21, 2022.
    (2) For airplanes on which the actions specified in MHI RJ 
Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, dated June 1, 2021; or MHI RJ Service 
Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision A, dated October 12, 2021; have been 
accomplished: Inspect the flexible lamp assembly for correct 
installation; inspect the wire harness assembly for damage; and trim 
and reidentify the bracket in accordance with Part B. Section 2.E. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-
35-022, Revision B, dated April 21, 2022. Do all applicable flexible 
lamp assembly installation corrections and damage repair before 
further flight in accordance with Part B. Section 2.E. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, 
Revision B, dated April 21, 2022.

(h) 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,

[[Page 80034]]

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; or MHI RJ Aviation ULC's Transport 
Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, 
the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(i) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32R1, dated July 25, 
2022, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found 
in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0141.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim, 
Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(j) 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 601R-35-022, Revision B, dated April 
21, 2022.
    (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 December 15, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28279 Filed 12-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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