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

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47946-47948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15412]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2714; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00827-T; 
Amendment 39-23428; AD 2026-15-16]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 
702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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-2026-2714; 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

[[Page 47947]]

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-2026-2714.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Saltzman, 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 all MHI RJ Aviation ULC 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 
(Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and 
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on March 17, 2026 (91 FR 12695). The NPRM was 
prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26, dated May 6, 2025 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued 
by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The 
MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have 
been developed. The manufacturer introduced changes to four 
airworthiness limitation items (ALIs) and added four new ALIs to 
Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM) CSP B-053, Part 2, Section 2, 
``Structural Inspections,'' and Section 3, ``Safe Life Components,'' 
Revision 28, dated June 25, 2024. These changes are the result of the 
latest damage tolerance analyses that revealed the need for more 
restrictive inspections than initially assumed.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-26. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
potential failure of certain life-limited parts. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in the loss of structural integrity of 
the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2714.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA issued AD 2025-25-03, Amendment 39-23211 (90 FR 57680, 
December 12, 2025) (AD 2025-25-03), which applies to all MHI RJ 
Aviation ULC 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 2025-25-03 requires revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 
Accomplishing the actions in this AD terminates the corresponding 
requirements of AD 2025-25-03 for the tasks identified in the material 
referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26 only.

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 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-2025-26 specifies new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits. 
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 589 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection 
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined 
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane 
estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per 
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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,

[[Page 47948]]

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:

2026-15-16 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23428; Docket No. FAA-2026-2714; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00827-T.

(a) Effective Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2025-25-03, Amendment 39-23211 (90 FR 57680, 
December 12, 2025) (AD 2025-25-03).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) 
airplanes.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes.
    (4) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the potential failure of certain life-
limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in the loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Comply with 
all required actions specified in, and in accordance with, Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-26, dated May 6, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-26), except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26

    (1) Where the ``Corrective Actions'' section of Transport Canada 
AD CF-2025-26 specifies to ``Within the thresholds and repeat 
intervals identified within the tasks, or discard time, as 
applicable, complete the new or more restrictive limitations 
contained in the ALI sections of the MHIRJ MRM Part 2 publication 
identified in Table 1 below, as applicable to the aeroplane model 
and configuration.'', this AD requires replacing that text with 
``Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating the new and revised ALI tasks 
identified in Table 1 of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26.''
    (2) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
Table 1 of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26 is at the applicable 
threshold and discard time as specified in the material referenced 
in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26, or within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Corrective 
Actions'' section of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26.

(j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2025-25-03

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the 
corresponding requirements of AD 2025-25-03 for the tasks identified 
in the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-26 only.

(k) 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 (l) 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.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Isabel Saltzman, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; email: [email protected].

(m) 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-2025-26, dated May 6, 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 July 24, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15412 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T00:47:03.917575+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

7a3e46544a878a3510619aeb1c862a0bc4141a7f4e385c1d3a4102bc0e8ac400

Text SHA-256

fe4ddc60f214a1c33294c485d64b0e56f77039e9ae19ffa9c63becfd9c9134e2