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

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21245-21247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07736]



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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 76 / Tuesday, April 21, 2026 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 21245]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0728; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01823-T; 
Amendment 39-23310; AD 2026-08-02]
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.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-22-
02, which applied to certain 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. AD 2025-22-02 
required repetitive torque checks of the horizontal stabilizer (H-stab) 
anti-yaw steady fitting block bolts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-22-
02, it was determined that additional actions must be done to address 
the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 
2025-22-02 and requires replacing the H-stab anti-yaw steady fitting 
block hardware. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 20, 
2025 (90 FR 49251, November 5, 2025).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0728; 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-2026-0728.

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 to supersede AD 2025-22-02, Amendment 39-23180 (90 FR 
49251, November 5, 2025) (AD 2025-22-02). AD 2025-22-02 applied to 
certain 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. AD 2025-22-02 required repetitive 
torque checks of the H-stab anti-yaw steady fitting block bolts. The 
FAA issued AD 2025-22-02 to address loose or missing bolts on the anti-
yaw steady fitting block, which, when combined with a bird strike or 
gust loading, may result in loss of the H-stab and consequent loss of 
control of the airplane.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2026 
(91 FR 3394). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2025-38, dated August 19, 
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38) (also referred to as the MCAI), 
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. 
The MCAI states that loose or missing bolts on the anti-yaw steady 
fitting block, when combined with a bird strike or gust loading, may 
result in loss of the H-stab.
    The preamble to AD 2025-22-02 specifies that the FAA considers that 
AD to be an ``interim action'' and that the FAA might consider further 
rulemaking to mandate the replacement of the H-stab anti-yaw steady 
fitting block hardware. The FAA has determined that this replacement 
must be required.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2025-22-02 and require replacing the H-stab anti-yaw steady fitting 
block hardware, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38. 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-2026-0728.

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.

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, this AD is

[[Page 21246]]

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

    This AD requires Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38, dated August 19, 
2025, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of November 20, 2025 (90 FR 49251, 
November 5, 2025).
    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 597 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Parts                              Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost          cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2025-22-   Up to 6 work-hours x          $0  Up to $510..........  Up to $304,470.
 02.                                 $85 per hour = $510.
New actions.......................  7 work-hours x $85            27  $622................  $371,334.
                                     per hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85  Up to $28.........  Up to $113.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-22-02, Amendment 39-23180 
(90 FR 49251, November 5, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2026-08-02 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23310; Docket No. FAA-2026-0728; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01823-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 26, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2025-22-02, Amendment 39-23180 (90 FR 49251, 
November 5, 2025) (AD 2025-22-02).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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, as identified in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2025-38, effective August 19, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
38).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose and missing bolts on 
the horizontal stabilizer anti-yaw steady fitting block. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address loose or missing bolts on the anti-yaw 
steady fitting block, which, when combined with a bird strike or 
gust loading, may result in loss of the horizontal stabilizer and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 21247]]

(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-2025-38.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using November 20, 2025 (the effective date 
of AD 2025-22-02).
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38 refers to the effective 
date of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-24 (July 4, 2024), this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (4) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38 
specifies to repeat the torque check ``every 2200 hours air time 
from the previous inspection'', for this AD, replace that text with 
``at intervals not to exceed 2,200 flight hours''.

(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 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.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on November 20, 
2025 (90 FR 49251, November 5, 2025).
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-38, effective August 19, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 16, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07736 Filed 4-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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