[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10799-10801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03578]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1110; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01003-T; 
Amendment 39-21426; AD 2021-04-05]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-23-
15, which applied to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model 
BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2019-23-15 required revising 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. 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 unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30, 
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 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-
1110.

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-
1110; 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7330; fax: 
516-794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-25, dated July 16, 
2020 (also referred to 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

[[Page 10800]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1110.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-23-15, Amendment 39-19809 (84 FR 
67830, December 12, 2019) (AD 2019-23-15). AD 2019-23-15 applied to 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 
7, 2020 (85 FR 78805). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that 
new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The 
NPRM proposed to require 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 reduced structural integrity of the airplane or reduced 
controllability of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) stated 
that it supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued A220 Airworthiness 
Limitations BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020. 
This service information describes airworthiness limitations for fuel 
tank systems, safe life limits, and certification maintenance 
requirements. 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 11 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA has determined that revising the 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

    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,
    (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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-23-15, Amendment 39-19809 
(84 FR 67830, December 12, 2019), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2021-04-05 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21426; Docket No. FAA-2020-1110; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01003-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 30, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-23-15, Amendment 39-19809 (84 FR 67830, 
December 12, 2019).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (type 
certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50001 and 
subsequent with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 18, 
2020.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55001 and 
subsequent with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 18, 
2020.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane or reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 10801]]

(g) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Airbus Canada Limited 
Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, 
Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020. The initial compliance time for 
doing the tasks is at the time specified in Airbus Canada Limited 
Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, 
Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020, or within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(h) New No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless 
the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

(i) 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 responsible 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 
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, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2020-25, dated July 16, 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-2020-1110.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone: 516-228-7330; fax: 516-794-5531; email: [email protected].

(k) 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 Airworthiness 
Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 
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 http://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 February 4, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03578 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
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