[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 86462-86464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28860]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0683; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01134-T; 
Amendment 39-21375; AD 2020-26-20]
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.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during 
installation on the final assembly line, a foreign object damage (FOD) 
protective end cap was not removed from an extraction duct of the crew 
oxygen system. The protective end cap must be removed to prevent a 
build-up of oxygen under the flight deck floor, which is a fire risk. 
This AD requires inspecting the air extraction duct installation to 
determine if a protective end cap is installed, and removing any 
protective end cap found. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 3, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 3, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: 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 https://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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0683.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://

[[Page 86463]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0683; 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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Siddeeq Bacchus, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, FAA, New York ACO 
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 
516-228-7362; fax: 516-794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2020-19, dated May 26, 
2020 (also 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-2020-0683.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2020 (85 FR 
48480). The NPRM was prompted by a report that during installation on 
the final assembly line, a FOD protective end cap was not removed from 
an extraction duct of the crew oxygen system. The protective end cap 
must be removed to prevent a build-up of oxygen under the flight deck 
floor, which is a fire risk. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting 
the air extraction duct installation to determine if a protective end 
cap is installed, and removing any protective end cap found. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address this possible ignition source, which could 
result in an oxygen-fed fire. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International indicated its 
support for the NPRM.

Request To Refer to a Specific Service Information Procedure

    Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) requested that paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD refer to Step 2.2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin BD500-351004, 
Issue 001, dated April 8, 2020, instead of referring to the entire 
Accomplishment Instructions. DAL stated that only Step 2.2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service information 
provides the required steps for performing the inspection and 
corrective action required by the proposed AD. DAL noted that the 
current language should be more specific when referring to these tasks.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. Only Step 2.2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 
Service Bulletin BD500-351004, Issue 001, dated April 8, 2020, is 
necessary to correct the specified unsafe condition. The remaining 
portions of the Accomplishment Instructions contain the access and 
close procedures, which are not required to address the identified 
unsafe condition. The FAA has changed paragraph (g) of this AD to 
reference only Step 2.2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
referenced service information.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule with the change described previously 
and minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor 
changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    The FAA also determined that this change will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued A220 Service Bulletin 
BD500-351004, Issue 001, dated April 8, 2020. This service information 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection of the extraction 
duct of the crew oxygen system to determine if a protective end cap is 
installed, and removing any protective end cap found. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255...........................              $0             $255           $5,100
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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

[[Page 86464]]

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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2020-26-20 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21375; Docket No. FAA-2020-0683; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01134-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 3, 2021.

(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, 
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 50039 inclusive.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55003 through 
55016 inclusive, and 55018 through 55054 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that during installation on the 
final assembly line, a foreign object damage (FOD) protective end 
cap was not removed from an extraction duct of the crew oxygen 
system. The protective end cap must be removed to prevent a build-up 
of oxygen under the flight deck floor, which is a fire risk. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address this possible ignition source, which 
could result in an oxygen-fed fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 1,650 flight hours or 8 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual inspection 
of the air extraction duct installation to determine if a protective 
end cap is installed, and if installed, remove the protective end 
cap before further flight, in accordance with Step 2.2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership 
A220 Service Bulletin BD500-351004, Issue 001, dated April 8, 2020.

(h) 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 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 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2020-19, dated May 26, 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-2020-0683.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Siddeeq Bacchus, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7362; fax: 516-794-5531; email: [email protected].

(j) 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.
    (i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin 
BD500-351004, Issue 001, dated April 8, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (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 https://a220world.airbus.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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 December 16, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-28860 Filed 12-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P