Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47933-47936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15409]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3864; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01215-T; 
Amendment 39-23421; AD 2026-15-09]
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 an in-service event where a main landing gear 
tire burst

[[Page 47934]]

upon landing. This AD requires an inspection to determine if an 
affected brake control unit (BCU) is installed and replacement of 
affected BCUs. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected 
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3864; 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-2026-3864.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Dowling, 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, BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on April 23, 2026 (91 FR 21747). The NPRM was 
prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53, dated September 8, 2022 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued 
by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The 
MCAI states an in-service event occurred where a main landing gear tire 
burst upon landing. The investigation into the event found that with 
the loss of a 5V power supply in the BCU wheel control card, a residual 
current may build within the brake control valve (BCV) driver circuit. 
This residual current may result in uncommanded brake pressure during 
landing. If not corrected, this can cause one or more tires to burst 
due to a dragging brake or a locked brake, unexpected deceleration, 
degraded braking performance, directional difficulties, or brake(s) 
overheating.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection to determine 
if an affected BCU is installed, replacement of affected BCUs, and 
prohibit the installation of affected parts, as specified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2022-53. 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-2026-3864.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from NetJets Aviation. The following 
presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the 
comment.

Request To Allow the Use of Maintenance Records

    NetJets Aviation requested that the FAA revise the proposed AD to 
allow logbook research as an acceptable method of compliance for Part 
I, ``Verification of Installed Parts,'' of Transport Canada AD CF-2022-
53. NetJets Aviation stated that determining whether BCU part number 
GW415-7125-7 is installed can be reliably accomplished through review 
of aircraft maintenance records and component installation history when 
documentation is complete and traceable, without requiring a physical 
inspection. NetJets Aviation also stated that allowing this approach 
would reduce unnecessary maintenance burden while maintaining an 
equivalent level of safety.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA has determined that a review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the inspection to 
determine the BCU part number, provided the BCU part number can be 
conclusively determined from that review. The FAA has added an 
exception to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD accordingly.

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

    Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53 specifies procedures for an 
inspection to determine if BCUs with part number (P/N) GW415-7125-7 
(Crane P/N 42-965-3) are installed and replacement of affected parts 
with BCU P/N GW415-7125-9 (Crane P/N 42-965-4). Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-53 also prohibits the installation of affected parts.
    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 42 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 47935]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................              $0             $170           $7,140
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =     Up to $430,089....  Up to $430,259.
 $170.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

2026-15-09 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-23421; Docket No. FAA-
2026-3864; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01215-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53, dated September 8, 2022 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2022-53).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an in-service event where a main landing 
gear tire burst upon landing. The investigation into the event found 
that with the loss of a 5V power supply in the brake control unit 
(BCU) wheel control card, a residual current may build within the 
brake control valve (BCV) driver circuit. This residual current may 
result in uncommanded brake pressure during landing. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in one or more tires to 
burst due to a dragging brake or a locked brake, unexpected 
deceleration, degraded braking performance, directional 
difficulties, or brake(s) overheating.

(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-2022-53.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Part I, ``Verification of Installed Parts'', of 
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-53 specifies to inspect whether BCU part 
number (P/N) GW415-7125-7 (Crane P/N 42-965-3) is installed, for 
this AD, a review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in 
lieu of the inspection, provided the BCU part number can be 
conclusively determined from that review.

(i) No Reporting Requirement and No Return of Parts

    Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-
53 specifies to submit certain information and return parts to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.

(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.

[[Page 47936]]

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 (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 Elizabeth Dowling, 
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-2022-53, dated September 8, 2022.
    (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 July 20, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15409 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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