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 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 97497-97499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28785]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0468; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00762-T; 
Amendment 39-22898; AD 2024-24-08]
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-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple occurrences of pilot 
and co-pilot seats locking in a fore-aft position due to the seat fore-
aft adjustment mechanism disconnecting, caused by a broken cotter pin 
in the seat base egress linkage. This AD requires modifying the pilot 
and co-pilot seats by replacing the hardware of the seat base egress 
linkage, 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 January 13, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0468; 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 identified 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]. You may find this material on the 
Transport Canada website at 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0468.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone 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 Limited 
Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2024 (89 FR 20144). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-40, dated June 13, 2023, issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2023-40) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states 
that there have been in-service occurrences of pilot and co-pilot seats 
becoming locked in a fore-aft position due to disconnection of the seat 
fore-aft adjustment mechanism caused by a broken cotter pin in the seat 
base egress linkage.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the pilot and 
co-pilot seats by replacing the hardware of the seat base egress, as 
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the disconnection of the seat fore-aft adjustment mechanism 
caused by a broken cotter pin in the seat base egress linkage. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a significant 
increase in crew workload for continued safe flight and landing.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0468.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters, including Collins 
Aerospace and Delta Airlines (Delta). The following presents the 
comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request for Later-Approved Service Information

    Collins Aerospace and Delta requested that the FAA edit paragraph 
(h)(3) of the proposed AD so that it would allow the use of later 
service information. Paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD would mandate 
Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-25-003, Revision C, dated 
November 22, 2022.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40, 
dated June 13, 2023, refers to ``Airbus Canada Service Bulletin (SB) 
BD500-251006, Issue 001, dated 05 April 2023, or later revisions 
approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada,'' 
but does not specifically allow later-approved revisions of any service 
information cited in that Airbus Canada service bulletin. The FAA has 
not changed this AD as a result of this comment.

Request for Clarification of Paragraph (h)(3) of Proposed AD

    Delta requested clarification of the wording in (h)(3) of the 
proposed AD

[[Page 97498]]

where it is specified to ``Do Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-
25-003'' and to update paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD to include 
either ``refer to'' or ``in accordance with.'' The commenter would like 
clarification whether the verb ``do'' implies ``refer to'' or ``in 
accordance with.'' Conditional on the FAA's concurrence with this 
request, Delta also requested an additional similar exception be 
included in paragraph (h) of the proposed AD to allow accomplishment of 
the operational test specified in Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 
1430-25-003 instructions for the Function Check under Section 3.F. 
using the A220 AMP Task BD500-A-J25-11-00-01AAA-320A-A in lieu of CMM 
25-11-20.
    The FAA disagrees with changing paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to 
include ``refer to'' or ``in accordance with.'' To clarify, this AD and 
the service information use the word ``do'' to communicate what 
operators need to accomplish, and therefore indicates a required 
action.

Request for Additional Exception

    Delta requested the addition of the following paragraph: ``(h)(4) 
As the Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-25-003 have 
instructions of removal and installation of the affected seats from the 
seat tracks, this AD allows the seat removal and installation 
procedures using the AMP procedures as listed in the procedure of 
Service Bulletin BD500-251006 Issue No. 001, dated 05 April 2023, or 
later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, 
Transport Canada.'' Airbus SB BD500-251006 Issue 001 Procedures section 
and Goodrich Interiors SB 1430-25-003 Accomplishment Instructions 
section both state that the pilot seats need to be removed, so the 
commenter is concerned with confusion due to both service bulletins 
giving instructions to perform the same tasks.
    The FAA agrees that the repetition of steps in the Airbus and 
Goodrich Interiors SB could lead to confusion if operators are trying 
to follow SB steps. The AD should clarify what procedures the operators 
should follow because operators may not know whether they are in 
compliance with this AD if there are steps that cannot be accomplished. 
The FAA has added paragraph (h)(4) to this AD to allow the use of only 
Airbus SB BD500-251006, Issue 001, dated April 5, 2023, for seat 
removal and installation procedures.

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 
comments 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40 specifies procedures for modifying 
the pilot and co-pilot seats by replacing the hardware of the seat base 
egress linkage. 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 23 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                    Parts cost              Cost per product        Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 2 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $200...............  Up to $370...............  Up to $8,510.
 hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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:


[[Page 97499]]


2024-24-08 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22898; Docket No. FAA-2024-0468; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00762-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2025.

(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-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2023-40, dated June 13, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-40).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple occurrences of pilot and co-
pilot seats locking in a fore-aft position due to the seat fore-aft 
adjustment mechanism disconnecting. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the disconnection of the seat fore-aft adjustment mechanism 
caused by a broken cotter pin in the seat base egress linkage. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a significant 
increase in crew workload for continued safe flight and landing.

(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-2023-40.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40 refers to ``hours air 
time,'' this AD requires using flight hours.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2023-40 specifies to ``Do Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 
1430-25-003,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``Do 
Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-25-003, Revision C, dated 
November 22, 2022.''
    (4) Where the service information specified in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2023-40 specifies removal and installation steps in accordance 
with both Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-
251006 and Goodrich Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-25-003, this AD 
does not require the removal/installation steps in Goodrich 
Interiors Service Bulletin 1430-25-003.

(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; or Transport Canada; or Transport Canada 
Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the 
approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

 (j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Fatin Saumik, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone 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-2023-40, dated June 13, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-40 identified 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]. 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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on November 22, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28785 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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