[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 209 (Wednesday, October 28, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68257-68260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23742]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0971; Product Identifier 2020-NM-083-AD]
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), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-
500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that 
threaded fuel couplings were incorrectly installed at final assembly 
and in service. This proposed AD would require repetitive functional 
tests of the auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel feed line shroud, a 
general visual inspection of the APU feed line shroud for any loose 
couplings; and tightening any loose couplings, which would terminate 
the repetitive functional tests. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 
14, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South

[[Page 68258]]

216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

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-
0971; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations 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 Administrative 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:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0971; Project Identifier 
AD 2020-NM-083'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and 
Administrative 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]. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2020-14, dated April 
30, 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-2020-0971.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a report that threaded fuel 
couplings were incorrectly installed at final assembly and in service. 
The FAA is proposing this AD to address loose fuel couplings, which 
could eventually disconnect and could lead to fuel starvation of the 
APU and pose a risk of fire. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    Airbus Canada has issued Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 003, 
dated August 14, 2020. This service information describes procedures 
for repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed line shroud, a 
general visual inspection of the APU feed line shroud for any loose 
couplings, and tightening of any loose couplings if necessary. The 
inspection and tightening of the APU fuel feed line shroud couplings 
terminates the repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed line 
shroud. 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

    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 proposing this AD 
because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 22 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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              Labor cost                   Parts cost        Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 42 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $0   Up to $3,570............  Up to $78,540.
 Up to $3,570.
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    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 these on-condition actions:

[[Page 68259]]



                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
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8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680....              $0             $680
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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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.): 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0971; Product Identifier 2020-NM-083-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by December 14, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(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, 
as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50010 through 
50018 inclusive, and 50020 through 50041 inclusive.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55003 through 
55016 inclusive, 55018 through 55054 inclusive, and 55056.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This proposed AD was prompted by a report that threaded fuel 
couplings were incorrectly installed at final assembly and in 
service. The FAA is issuing this AD to address loose fuel couplings, 
which could eventually disconnect and could lead to fuel starvation 
of the auxiliary power unit (APU) and pose a risk of fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Functional Test of the APU Fuel Feed Line Shroud

    Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do an initial functional test of the APU fuel feed line shroud, in 
accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Canada Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 
2020. Thereafter, repeat the functional test at intervals not to 
exceed 4,000 flight hours. If any functional test reveals a leak, 
before further flight, do the applicable actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Inspection and Torque of APU Fuel Feed Line Shroud Couplings

    (1) Except as required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 9,350 
flight hours or within 56 months, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the APU 
feed line shroud for any loose couplings, and tighten any loose 
couplings as applicable, in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-
282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 2020.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection and tightening of the 
APU fuel feed line shroud couplings was done before the effective 
date of this AD, in accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 
001, dated December 13, 2019: Within 9,350 flight hours or 56 
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, 
do a general visual inspection of the APU feed line shroud for any 
loose couplings between frame (FR) 63 and FR 80, and tighten any 
loose couplings as applicable, in accordance with Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-
282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 2020.

(i) Terminating Action for the Functional Tests

    The inspection and tightening of the APU fuel feed line shroud 
couplings as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD terminate the 
initial and repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed line 
shroud specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Canada Service Bulletin 
BD500-282009, Issue 001, dated December 13, 2019, or Airbus Canada 
Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 002, dated March 18, 2020, 
provided the functional test is repeated at intervals not to exceed 
4,000 flight hours from the completion of those actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Airbus Canada Service Bulletin 
BD500-282009, Issue 001, dated December 13, 2019.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:

[[Page 68260]]

    (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2020-14, dated April 30, 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-2020-0971.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative 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) 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. You 
may view this 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.

    Issued on October 22, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-23742 Filed 10-27-20; 8:45 am]
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