Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17725-17727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05193]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1810; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00267-T; 
Amendment 39-22679; AD 2024-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a manufacturing issue with an electrical 
connector that may prevent the connector from self-locking. This AD 
requires removing the affected connector, installing a new connector, 
and testing the emergency power supply units (EPSUs), as specified in a 
Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 16, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 16, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1810; 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 material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]; website tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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 in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1810.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 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 certain Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on August 31, 2023 (88 FR 60160). The NPRM was 
prompted by AD CF-2023-08, dated February 13, 2023, issued by Transport 
Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD 
CF-2023-08) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a 
manufacturing molding issue with an electrical connector may prevent 
the connector from self-locking. The connector may become loose over 
time, preventing the charging of EPSUs 3 and 4 and lead to the loss of 
emergency lights, possibly resulting in injury to occupants during an 
evacuation.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing the affected 
connector, installing a new connector, and testing the EPSUs, as 
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08. 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-2023-1810.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Delta Air Lines (DAL). The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Request To Specify No U.S.-Registered Airplanes

    DAL stated that via the FAA U.S. registry, the four affected 
airplanes are not U.S.-registered. The FAA assumes Delta would like the 
AD to specify no U.S.-registered airplanes.
    The FAA agrees that the affected airplanes are not registered in 
the United States. The Costs of Compliance section of the final rule 
has been changed accordingly.

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

    Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08 specifies procedures for removing 
the affected connector, installing a new connector, and testing the 
EPSUs. This material 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

    Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the

[[Page 17726]]

U.S. Register in the future, the FAA provides the following cost 
estimates to comply with this AD:

                  Estimated Costs for Required Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $298..          $1,534           $1,832
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2024-03-09 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22679; Docket No. FAA-2023-1810; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00267-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 16, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type 
Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08, 
dated February 13, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturing molding issue with an 
electrical connector that may prevent the connector from self-
locking. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure the connector does not 
become loose over time and prevent the charging of emergency power 
supply units (EPSUs) 3 and 4. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in loss of emergency lights, possibly 
resulting in injury to occupants during an evacuation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08

    Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
actions required by this AD can be accomplished, provided no 
passengers are onboard.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation 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 International 
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization 
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact William Reisenauer, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08, dated February 13, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 17727]]

    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]; website tc.canada.ca/en/
aviation.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on March 5, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05193 Filed 3-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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