Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7113-7115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03055]



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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 2026 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 7113]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-1327; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00042-T; 
Amendment 39-23263; AD 2025-14-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
The FAA previously sent this AD to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of these airplanes. This AD was prompted by discrepancies in the 
locking features on certain network interfaces. This AD requires 
installing locking features on certain network interfaces to prevent 
unapproved access to these network interfaces. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 4, 2026. AD 2025-14-51, issued on 
July 10, 2025, which contains the requirements of this amendment, was 
effective upon receipt.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 3, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-1327; 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 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    <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-2026-1327.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 516-228-7301; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-1327; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2025-00042-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to William 
Reisenauer, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7301; email: 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that 
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2025-14-51, dated July 25, 2025 (AD 2025-14-51), 
to address an unsafe condition on certain Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-
1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The FAA sent AD 2025-14-51 to all known 
U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. AD 2025-14-51 requires 
installing locking features on the applicable network interfaces.
    AD 2025-14-51 was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-03, dated 
January 15, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-03) (also referred to as 
the MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-numbered 
Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI 
specifies installing locking features on certain network interfaces to 
prevent unapproved access to these network interfaces.
    This AD was prompted by discrepancies in the locking features on 
certain network interfaces. The FAA is issuing this AD to address these 
discrepancies, which could result in unapproved access to these network 
interfaces.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-1327.

[[Page 7114]]

FAA's Determination

    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 described above. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires installing locking features on the applicable 
network interfaces.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
AD 2025-14-51, issued on July 10, 2025, to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these airplanes. The FAA found that the risk to the flying 
public justified forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this 
rule because the subject of this AD concerns unauthorized access to 
network interfaces of the aircraft. Providing an opportunity to comment 
before operators have complied with this action would be detrimental to 
transportation security. These conditions still exist, and the AD is 
hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 
39.13 to make it effective to all persons. Given the significance of 
the risk presented by this unsafe condition, it must be immediately 
addressed. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,313 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                       Estimated Costs of Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                         Labor cost                            Parts cost     Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................         $802                 $887       $1,164,631
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2025-14-51 Bombardier Inc.: Amendment 39-23263; Docket No. FAA-2026-
1327; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00042-T.

(a) Effective Date

    The FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-14-51 on July 
10, 2025, directly to affected owners and operators. As a result of 
such actual notice, AD 2025-14-51 was effective for those owners and 
operators on the date it was received. This AD contains the same 
requirements as AD 2025-14-51 and, for those who did not receive 
actual notice, is effective on March 4, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bombardier Inc. airplanes, certificated 
in any category, listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 9381, 9432 
through 9861 inclusive, 9863 through 9878 inclusive, and 60001 
through 61999 inclusive.
    (2) Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 9386, 9401, 9445 
through 9862 inclusive, 9868 through 9879 inclusive, and 60007 
through 61999 inclusive.

[[Page 7115]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Indicating/
Recording System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by discrepancies in the locking features on 
certain network interfaces. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
these discrepancies, which could result in unapproved access to 
these network interfaces.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
locking features on the applicable network interfaces using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-
5008, dated July 20, 2022; Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-6008, 
dated July 20, 2022; Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-5504, dated 
July 20, 2022; Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-5504, Revision 01, 
dated August 22, 2024; Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-6504, 
dated July 20, 2022; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-46-6504, 
Revision 01, dated August 22, 2024.

(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)(1) 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 Bombardier Inc.'s 
Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by 
the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(j) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact William 
Reisenauer, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7301; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For Bombardier Inc. material identified in this AD that is 
not incorporated by reference, 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.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on February 12, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03055 Filed 2-13-26; 8:45 am]
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