[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 91 (Monday, May 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27670-27673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09946]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0349; Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD; Amendment 
39-19906; AD 2020-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type 
Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-25-
04, which applied to certain C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2018-25-04 
required repetitive inspections for any dislodged blow-out panel in the 
forward and aft cargo compartments, reporting of the inspection 
findings, and reinstallation if necessary. This new AD continues to 
require repetitive inspections, with a revised inspection interval, for 
affected panels that have not been replaced. This new AD also requires 
the replacement of affected blow-out panels with redesigned panels, 
which terminates the inspection requirement. This new AD also revises 
the applicability by removing certain airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by reports of dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 
2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of January 
14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018).
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 25, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, 
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec, J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676; email 
[email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com. You may view 
this referenced service information 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0349.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0349; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for the Docket Operations office is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, FAA, New York ACO 
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 
516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 27671]]

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397, 
December 10, 2018) (``AD 2018-25-04''), which applied to certain C 
Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-
500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2018-25-04 was prompted by reports of dislodged 
cargo compartment blow-out panels. AD 2018-25-04 required repetitive 
inspections for any dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft 
cargo compartments, reporting of the inspection findings, and 
reinstallation if necessary. The FAA issued AD 2018-25-04 to address 
dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels, which could result in 
openings in the forward and aft cargo compartments. In the event of a 
cargo compartment fire, these unintended openings in the forward and 
aft cargo compartments would provide a path for smoke, fire, and Halon 
to enter the adjacent equipment bays, flight deck, and passenger cabin, 
which could delay smoke detection in the forward and aft cargo 
compartments and result in the forward and aft cargo compartments not 
being able to maintain the Halon concentration required for fire 
suppression. The cargo compartment fire may become uncontrollable if 
this condition is not addressed, which could result in the loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2018-25-04 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2018-25-04, the forward and aft cargo 
compartment sidewall and bulkhead panels have been redesigned to 
decrease the likelihood of cargo compartment blow-out panel 
dislodgement events due to baggage impact. This AD mandates 
incorporation of this redesign as terminating action to the 
requirements of AD 2018-25-04, and limits its applicability to 
airplanes that have not incorporated this redesign in production. This 
AD also extends the repeat cargo compartment blow-out panel inspection 
interval to reflect in-service findings. This AD also removes the 
requirement to report inspection findings.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2018-15R1, dated 
January 3, 2020 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-
1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0349.
    This AD was prompted by reports of dislodged cargo compartment 
blow-out panels. The FAA is issuing this AD to address dislodged cargo 
compartment blow-out panels, which could, in the event of a cargo 
compartment fire, result in the loss of controllability of the 
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued A220 Service Bulletin 
BD500-500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019. This service 
information describes procedures for removing sidewall and bulkhead 
panel assemblies from the forward and aft cargo compartments, and 
installing new sidewall and bulkhead panel assemblies and placards.
    This AD also requires the following service information, which the 
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference on January 14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018.)
     C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-
521A-A, ``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic 
configuration,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
     C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-
310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo compartment blow-out panels--Visual 
check,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
    This service information 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD 
because the FAA evaluated all pertinent information and determined the 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Clarification of Affected Airplanes

    Although Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and 
BD-500-1A11 airplanes are on the U.S. Register, currently no airplanes 
operating in the U.S. are equipped with blow-out panel part number 
D762213-503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product 
with affected parts, notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are unnecessary. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause 
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. 
In addition, for the reason(s) stated above, the FAA finds that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and the FAA did not precede it by notice and opportunity for 
public comment. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0349; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this AD.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply with 
this AD:

[[Page 27672]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
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Retained actions from AD 2018-25-04...........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85              $0             $85
New actions...................................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =             62,561          63,241
                                                 $680.
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    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170....              $0             $170
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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

    The FAA determined that 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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018), and 
adding the following new AD:

2020-09-10 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-19906; Docket No. FAA-2020-0349; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 26, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397, 
December 10, 2018) (``AD 2018-25-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type 
Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes, certificated in any category, 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50001 through 
50017 inclusive, equipped with blow-out panel part number D762213-
503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55001 through 
55044 inclusive, equipped with blow-out panel part number D762213-
503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 50, Cargo and 
accessory compartment.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of dislodged cargo compartment 
blow-out panels. This AD was also prompted by a panel redesign that 
decreases the likelihood of dislodgement due to baggage impact, and 
by the determination that the repetitive inspection interval may be 
extended, based on in-service findings. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels, which could 
result in openings in the forward and aft cargo compartments. In the 
event of a cargo compartment fire, these unintended openings in the 
forward and aft cargo compartments would provide a path for smoke, 
fire, and Halon to enter the adjacent equipment bays, flight deck, 
and passenger cabin, which could delay smoke detection in the 
forward and aft cargo compartments and result in the forward and aft 
cargo compartments not being able to maintain the Halon 
concentration required for fire suppression. The cargo compartment 
fire may become uncontrollable if this condition is not addressed, 
which could result in the loss of controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Repetitive Inspections of the Forward and Aft Cargo 
Compartment Blow-Out Panels and Re-Installation, With Revised 
Repetitive Inspection Interval

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2018-25-04, with a revised repetitive inspection interval. Within 7 
days or 50 flight cycles, whichever occurs first, after January 14, 
2019 (the effective date of AD 2018-25-04): Do a detailed inspection 
for any dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft cargo 
compartments, in accordance with C Series (Bombardier) Data

[[Page 27673]]

Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo 
compartment blow-out panels--Visual check,'' Issue 002, dated May 
16, 2018. Re-install all dislodged forward and aft cargo compartment 
blow-out panels before further flight, in accordance with C Series 
(Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-521A-A, 
``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic configuration,'' 
Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018. Thereafter, at intervals not to 
exceed 200 flight cycles, repeat the detailed inspection for any 
dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft cargo compartments.

(h) New Requirement of This AD: Blow-Out Panel Replacement

    Within 9,350 flight hours or 56 months, whichever occurs first, 
after the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate 
or date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness: Install new, redesigned sidewall and bulkhead panel 
assemblies in the forward and aft cargo compartments, in accordance 
with Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin BD500-
500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although reporting was required in AD 2018-25-04, this AD does 
not include that requirement.

(j) New Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections

    Modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD constitutes terminating action for the initial and repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier C Series Service Bulletin BD500-
500001, Issue 001, dated February 18, 2019.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. 
If sending information directly to the manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before 
using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
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, New York ACO 
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Airbus 
Canada Limited Partnership's TCCA Design Approval Organization 
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2018-15R1, dated January 3, 2020, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0349.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(5) and (6) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 26, 2020.
    (i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin 
BD500-500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
January 14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018).
    (i) C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-
521A-A, ``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic 
configuration,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
    (ii) C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-
310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo compartment blow-out panels--Visual 
check,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, 
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec, J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676; 
email [email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09946 Filed 5-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P