Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21950-21952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08032]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0727; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01659-T; 
Amendment 39-23312; AD 2026-08-04]
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-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a determination that the approach speed adders 
and landing distance factors must be corrected in the airplane flight 
manual (AFM) tables in the non-normal procedure for the SLAT FAIL 
(Caution) crew alerting system (CAS) message. This AD requires revising 
the existing AFM to provide the flightcrew with the correct approach 
speed adders and landing distance factors for the non-normal procedures 
for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) CAS message. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 29, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 29, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0727; 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

[[Page 21951]]

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-2026-0727.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Massey, 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, 
Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2026 (91 FR 3397). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2025-53, dated November 11, 2025 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-53) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI 
states that Bombardier has determined that the approach speed adders 
and landing distance factors in the AFM tables in the non-normal 
procedure for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) CAS message require correction. 
If not addressed, the incorrect approach speed adders for the SLAT FAIL 
(Caution) non-normal procedure could result in a reduced maneuvering 
margin to stick shaker activation, failing to provide the margins 
assumed during the airplane's initial certification. This condition may 
adversely affect the safe operation of the airplane and increase 
flightcrew workload due to an unexpected stall warning and stick shaker 
activation.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing AFM 
to provide the flightcrew with the correct approach speed adders and 
landing distance factors for the non-normal procedures for the SLAT 
FAIL (Caution) CAS message, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-53. 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-2026-0727.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from a commenter 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 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

    Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 specifies procedures for revising 
the AFM to correct the approach speed adders and landing distance 
factors in the AFM tables in the non-normal procedures for the SLAT 
FAIL (Caution) CAS message. 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 925 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................              $0              $85          $78,625
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 21952]]

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:

2026-08-04 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-23312; Docket No. FAA-
2026-0727; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01659-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 29, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 
and BD-700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53, dated November 11, 
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53) except serial number 9001.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the approach speed 
adders and landing distance factors must be corrected in the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) tables in the non-normal procedure for 
the SLAT FAIL (Caution) crew alerting system (CAS) message. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to correct the approach speed adders and landing 
distance factors for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) non-normal procedure. 
The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could lead to a reduced 
maneuvering margin to stick shaker (stall warning) activation, which 
could increase flightcrew workload due to an unexpected stall 
warning and could adversely affect the safe operation of the 
airplane.

(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-2025-53.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph B of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 
specifies to ``Advise all flight crews of the changes introduced by 
the approved Transport Canada AFM procedures listed above and 
thereafter operate the aeroplane accordingly,'' this AD does not 
require those actions as those actions are already required by 
existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, and 
121.137).

(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 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

    For more information about this AD, contact John Massey, 
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 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-2025-53, dated November 11, 2025.
    (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 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 April 13, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08032 Filed 4-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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