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

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20380-20382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08339]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00612-T; 
Amendment 39-23030; AD 2025-09-09]
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 all 
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 
702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 
(Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports 
that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) impact switch was installed in 
the wrong direction. This AD requires an inspection of the CVR impact 
switch installation to confirm that the reset switch faces forward, and 
applicable on-condition actions, 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 June 18, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 18, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; 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-2025-0021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Dzierzynski, 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 all MHI RJ Aviation ULC 
(Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-
2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet 
Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 
(Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 
airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 
19, 2025 (90 FR 9879). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2024-35, dated 
October 16, 2024, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation 
authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35) (also referred to 
as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the CVR impact switch part number 
(P/N) 3L0-453-2 was installed in the wrong direction on a Model CL-600-
2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplane. The incorrect installation 
was determined to have occurred in production as there was no record of 
any maintenance being performed in the area by the operator. The impact 
switch disables power to the CVR in the event of an accident to prevent 
overwriting cockpit recordings. The installation of the CVR impact 
switch P/N 3L0-453-2 is the same on Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet 
Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-
2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 
900) airplanes. The unsafe condition therefore may exist on all of 
these models.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection of the CVR 
impact switch installation to confirm that the reset switch faces 
forward, and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2024-35. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an 
incorrectly installed impact switch, which could result in loss of data 
that could hinder the identification of the unsafe condition in the 
event of an accident and consequently impede the development of actions 
to address the unsafe condition that caused the accident.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0021.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI

[[Page 20381]]

referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any 
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

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35, dated October 16, 
2024. This material specifies procedures to inspect the installation of 
the CVR impact switch to ensure that the reset switch is pointed to the 
front of the airplane, and re-installation of any discrepant impact 
switch. 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 602 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                    Labor cost                       Parts cost     Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..................           $0                  $85                    $51,170
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any reinstallation 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:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Labor cost                                     Parts cost        Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85......................................                  $0                  $85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2025-09-09 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23030; Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00612-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 18, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet 
Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-
600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 
900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23, 
Communications.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that a cockpit voice recorder 
(CVR) impact switch was installed in the wrong direction. The impact 
switch disables power to the CVR in the event of an accident to 
prevent overwriting cockpit recordings. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address an incorrectly installed impact switch, which could 
result in loss of data that could hinder the identification of the 
unsafe condition in the event of an accident and consequently impede 
the development of actions to address the unsafe condition that 
caused the accident.

(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-

[[Page 20382]]

2024-35, dated October 16, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35).

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph A. of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 
specifies to ``inspect the installation of the impact switch P/N 
3L0-453-2 in accordance with the MHIRJ AMM task 23-71-10-400-801 to 
confirm the reset switch faces forward,'' this AD requires replacing 
that text with ``perform a general visual inspection of the 
installation of the impact switch P/N 3L0-453-2 to confirm the reset 
switch faces forward.''
    (3) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 
specifies corrective action, this AD requires that the corrective 
action be performed before further flight after finding any impact 
switch that does not face forward.

(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, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email 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 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 Steven Dzierzynski, 
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 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-2024-35, dated October 16, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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]; website 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 April 29, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08339 Filed 5-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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