Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 131 (Friday, July 10, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42653-42655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-13981]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3872; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01421-T; 
Amendment 39-23401; AD 2026-14-01]
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-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of missing or under torqued fasteners on the slat 2 
cove rib 6 brackets. This AD requires a general visual inspection (GVI) 
of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine if all 
fasteners are installed and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 14, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3872; 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-2026-3872.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Buitrago Perez, 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-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 29, 2026 (91 FR 23028). The NPRM was prompted 
by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-46) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI 
states that there have been reports of missing or under torqued 
fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket, which are common to both 
the left-hand side (LHS) and right-hand side (RHS). The MCAI also 
states that if fasteners are missing or under torqued, the bracket may 
lose some load carrying capabilities. Stress analysis has determined 
that missing cove rib 6 load path may lead to reduced safety margins 
and subsequent loss of structural redundancy.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a GVI of affected 
fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine if the fasteners 
are installed and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in 
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46. 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-2026-3872.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost.

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-2025-46 specifies procedures for performing 
a GVI of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine 
if the fasteners are installed and applicable on-condition actions. On-
condition actions include making sure that the fasteners are torqued 
from 20 to 25 lbf in., performing a GVI for signs of damage (damage 
includes but is not limited to permanent deformation, distortion, 
cracking, or other visible

[[Page 42654]]

structural anomalies), repairing any damage found, and, if there is no 
damage, installing and torquing new fasteners.
    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 36 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425..............................           $0             $425          $15,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Cost per
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost      product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170..........          $99          $269
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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:

2026-14-01 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-23401; Docket No. FAA-
2026-3872; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01421-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025 (Transport Canada AD 
CF-2025-46).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of missing or under torqued 
fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition, which if not addressed, could 
potentially result in the loss of some load carrying capabilities, 
which could result in reduced safety margins and subsequent loss of 
structural redundancy.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 
specifies ``If fasteners are installed,'', for this AD, replace that 
text with ``If fasteners are installed, before further flight,''.
    (3) Where paragraph C. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 
specifies ``If fasteners are missing,'' for this AD, replace that 
text with ``If fasteners are missing, before further flight,''.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
46 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, 
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

[[Page 42655]]

to the manager of the International Validation 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, 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Brenda Buitrago 
Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; 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-2025-46, dated September 2, 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 June 29, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-13981 Filed 7-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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