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

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 117 (Friday, June 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26193-26195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11385]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 117 / Friday, June 20, 2025 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 26193]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2666; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00261-T; 
Amendment 39-23062; AD 2025-12-04]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 an investigation of an in-service hydraulic 
fluid leakage event that indicated the potential use of an uncalibrated 
torque wrench when tightening the union fittings at the pressure and 
return interfaces of all three rudder hydraulic power control units 
(PCUs). This AD requires properly torquing the rudder PCU hydraulic 
fittings and applying the torque seal on the rudder PCU hydraulic 
fittings. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 25, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 25, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2666; 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 Canda 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-2024-2666.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda L. Buitrago, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 516-
288-7368; 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 was published 
in the Federal Register on December 20, 2024 (89 FR 104067). The NPRM 
was prompted by AD CF-2024-13, dated April 29, 2024 (Transport Canada 
AD CF-2024-13) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by Transport 
Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states an 
investigation of an in-service hydraulic fluid leakage event indicated 
the potential use of an uncalibrated torque wrench when tightening the 
union fittings at the pressure and return interfaces of all three 
rudder PCUs. If not corrected, this condition could cause the union 
fittings to come loose and leak, resulting in the potential loss of one 
or more hydraulic systems.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require properly torquing the 
rudder PCU hydraulic fittings and applying the torque seal on the 
rudder PCU hydraulic fittings, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-
2024-13. 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-2024-2666.

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.
    The FAA received additional comments from two commenters, Airbus 
Canada Limited Partnership and Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Delta). The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Remove, Revise, or Clarify the Exception for Leak Repair

    Delta requested the FAA either remove the exception in paragraph 
(h)(3) of the proposed AD or revise it to require ensuring that any 
hydraulic leak is within the leakage limits, instead of requiring the 
leak to be repaired before further flight as proposed. As 
justification, Delta stated Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13 references 
service information, which in turn references an airplane maintenance 
program (AMP) task that contains allowable leakage limits for seals on 
the rudder PCU, ensuring the leak rate does not exceed the allowable 
limit. Delta also stated they received confirmation from Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership indicating that allowable leaks as defined in the 
AMP task are acceptable. Delta, therefore, concluded that the exception 
in paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD contradicts the allowable 
leakage limits of the AMP task, and that it causes extra strain on 
operators who have already accomplished the procedures in the 
referenced service information because those operators are not able to 
demonstrate compliance with the proposed AD, unless the exception is 
removed or revised.
    Airbus requested the FAA explain why the FAA's proposed AD does not 
allow the same leak tolerance provided in Transport Canada AD CF-2024-
13.

[[Page 26194]]

    The FAA agrees that some leaks may be permissible if the leak rate 
is within the allowable leakage limits of the AMP task. It is not the 
FAA's intent to require different actions than those required by 
Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13. Therefore, the FAA has revised the 
``Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR part 51'' paragraph to 
clarify that, in addition to other specified actions, the corrective 
actions include testing for leakage limits to ensure any leak is within 
the applicable leakage tolerance and replacing the rudder PCU. 
Accordingly, the FAA has revised paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to specify 
that the visual inspection for hydraulics leaks at all coil tube 
fittings of the upper, middle, and lower rudder PCUs and all applicable 
corrective actions must be performed, and that all applicable 
corrective actions must be done before further flight except as 
specified in steps 13 and 22 of AMP BD500-A-J27-21-01-01AAA-364B-A.

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 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 these products. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13, dated April 29, 
2024. This material specifies procedures for properly torquing the 
rudder PCU hydraulic fittings and applying the torque seal on the 
rudder PCU hydraulic fittings, which includes cleaning any leaks at the 
coil B-nut connections, performing a visual inspection for hydraulics 
leaks for all rudder PCU coil tube fittings, and applicable corrective 
actions. The corrective actions include tightening the nut to the 
specified torque, testing for leakage limits to ensure any leak is 
within the applicable leakage tolerance, replacing any defective 
components, and replacing the rudder PCU. 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 5 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 9 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $765..            $0 *  Up to $765............  Up to $3,825.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the replacement cost.

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:

2025-12-04 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23062; Docket No. FAA-2024-2666; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00261-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 25, 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-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13, 
dated April 29, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic 
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an investigation of an in-service 
leakage event that indicated

[[Page 26195]]

the use potential of an uncalibrated torque wrench when tightening 
the union fittings at the pressure and return interfaces of all 
three rudder hydraulic power control units (PCUs). The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address union fittings that could come loose and 
leak when improperly torqued. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in the potential loss of one or more 
hydraulic systems.

(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-2024-13.

(h) Exception To Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-13 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (3) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2024-13 specifies to ``perform a visual inspection for hydraulics 
leaks for all Rudder PCUs coil tube fitting (Upper, Middle and 
Lower) in accordance with to AMP BD500-A-J27-21-01-01AAA-364B-A'', 
this AD requires replacing that text with ``perform a visual 
inspection for hydraulics leaks for all Rudder PCUs coil tube 
fittings (Upper, Middle and Lower) and do all applicable corrective 
actions in accordance with AMP BD500-A-J27-21-01-01AAA-364B-A. Do 
all applicable corrective actions before further flight except as 
specified in steps 13 and 22 of AMP BD500-A-J27-21-01-01AAA-364B-
A''.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2024-
13 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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 
AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) 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, AIR-520, 
Continued Operational Safety 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 Brenda L. Buitrago, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 516-288-7368; email: [email protected].

(l) 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-2024-13, dated April 29, 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]. You may find this Transport 
Canada material 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 June 12, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-11385 Filed 6-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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