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

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67523-67525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18629]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1009; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01221-T; 
Amendment 39-22782; AD 2024-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report that torque wrenches used during production 
installation of bulkhead fittings on the oxygen lines of the flightcrew 
oxygen mask stowage boxes and adapter fitting on the oxygen pressure 
gauge were out of calibration, which resulted in a higher torque level 
setting than required. This AD requires replacement of the affected 
oxygen line fittings, 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 September 25, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
25, 2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1009; 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 Transport Canada material, contact Transport Canada, 
Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, 
Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email 
TC.AirworthinessDirectives-

[[Page 67524]]

[email protected]. You may find this material on the 
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. It is also 
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1009.
    <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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, 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 MHI RJ Aviation 
ULC Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 
(Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on April 29, 2024 (89 FR 33297). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
CF-2023-75, dated November 28, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which 
is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75) 
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states MHI RJ Aviation ULC 
received a quality escape notice from a supplier, reporting that torque 
wrenches used during production installation of bulkhead fittings on 
the oxygen lines of the flightcrew oxygen mask stowage boxes and 
adapter fitting on the oxygen pressure gauge were out of calibration, 
which resulted in a higher torque level setting than required by 
drawing. This over-torque could cause damage to the oxygen line 
fittings which, if not corrected, could cause oxygen leakage before 
being annunciated and result in lack of oxygen to the flightcrew when 
needed.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of the 
affected oxygen line fittings, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-75. 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-2024-1009.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM 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 NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75 specifies procedures for replacement 
of the bulkhead fittings on the oxygen lines of the mask stowage boxes 
and replacement of the fitting adapter on the oxygen pressure gauge. 
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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 24 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510...........................            $350             $860          $20,640
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 67525]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2024-14-01 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22782; Docket No. FAA-2024-1009; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01221-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 24, 
2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2023-75, dated November 28, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-
75).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that torque wrenches used 
during production installation of bulkhead fittings on the oxygen 
lines of the flightcrew oxygen mask stowage boxes and adapter 
fitting on the oxygen pressure gauge were out of calibration, which 
resulted in a higher torque level setting than required. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address this over-torque, which could cause 
damage to the oxygen line fittings. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in oxygen leakage before being annunciated 
and result in lack of oxygen to the flightcrew when needed.

(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-2023-75.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.

(i) 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 manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (j) 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; 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.

(j) Additional Information

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

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75, dated November 28, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-75, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]. You may find this Transport 
Canada AD on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/
aviation.
    (4) 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.
    (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 July 10, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-18629 Filed 8-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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