Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 103631-103633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30229]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1468; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00975-T; 
Amendment 39-22840; AD 2024-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports that the pivot door pressure seals on the thrust 
reverser fixed structure were found disbonded or missing on several 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the pivot door pressure seals 
and accomplishing applicable corrective actions. This AD also requires 
a functional test of the thrust reversers. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 23, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 23, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1468; 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 Bombardier, Inc. material 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 514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website: 
bombardier.com.
    <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-2024-1468.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, 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 Bombardier, 
Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on May 22, 2024 (89 FR 44933). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-
2023-61, dated August 16, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which is 
the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-61) 
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the pivot door 
pressure seals on the thrust reverser fixed structure were found 
disbonded or missing on several airplanes.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the pivot door 
pressure seals and accomplishing applicable corrective actions. The FAA 
also proposed to require a functional

[[Page 103632]]

test of the thrust reversers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
pivot door pressure seals on the thrust reverser fixed structure. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine thrust loss 
due to flow path overboard leakage during forward thrust operation and 
reduce airplane performance during one-engine inoperative conditions in 
climb margin and ceiling altitude.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1468.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

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 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

    The FAA reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-78-7501, Revision 
01, dated July 13, 2023. This material specifies procedures for one-
time general visual inspection for discrepant (missing, damaged, or 
disbonded) thrust reverser pivoting door pressure seals, a bonding 
check of the pivoting door seals, and repair or replacement of 
discrepant seals. This material also specifies procedure for performing 
a functional test of the thrust reverser. 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 53 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510...........................              $0             $510          $27,030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Labor cost                Parts cost      Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 24 work-hours x $85 per hour          $4,850  Up to $6,890.
 = $2,040.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2024-18-06 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-22840; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1468; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00975-T.

 (a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 23, 2025.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 70007, 
70008, 70010, 70012 through 70047 inclusive, 70049, 70051, 70052, 
70053, 70055 through 70077 inclusive, 70079, 70080, 70081, 70083 
through 70133 inclusive, 70135, 70136, 70137, 70138, 70142 through 
70148 inclusive, 70150, 70152, and 70158.

[[Page 103633]]

 (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Engine 
exhaust.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the pivot door pressure 
seals on the thrust reverser fixed structure were found disbonded or 
missing on several airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the pivot door pressure seals on the thrust reverser fixed 
structure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
engine thrust loss due to flow path overboard leakage during forward 
thrust operation and reduce airplane performance during one-engine 
inoperative conditions in climb margin and ceiling altitude.

 (f) Compliance

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

 (g) Inspection and Functional Test

    (1) Within 750 flight hours or 18 months, whichever comes first 
from the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual 
inspection for discrepancies (missing, damaged, or disbonding) of 
the 4 pivot door pressure seals on the thrust reverser door of each 
engine, and perform a bonding check as applicable, and repair or 
replace each discrepant seal as applicable, in accordance with Part 
2.B of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 700-78-7501, Revision 01, dated July 13, 2023. Applicable 
corrective actions must be done before further flight.
    (2) Before further flight after accomplishing the actions 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: Perform a functional test 
of the thrust reverser in accordance with Part 2.C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-78-
7501, Revision 01, dated July 13, 2023.

 (h) 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 Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-78-7501, dated 
April 12, 2023.

 (i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 700-78-7501, Revision 01, dated July 13, 2023, 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

 (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 manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address 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 Bombardier, Inc.'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 Joseph Catanzaro, 
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 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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-78-7501, Revision 01, dated 
July 13, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Bombardier, Inc., material 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 514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website 
bombardier.com.
    (4) You may view this material 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 October 24, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-30229 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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