[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 61 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17087-17090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06550]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 61 / Thursday, April 1, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 17087]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0201; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01346-T]
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).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking 
in certain components on left and right sides of the aft wing-to-body 
fairing (WTBF) structure near the tie-rod attachment at a certain 
fuselage station; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod 
preload. This proposed AD would require inspecting the aft WTBF 
structure for any cracking or damage, adjusting the load on the two 
tie-rods at a certain fuselage station, and repair if necessary, as 
specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is 
proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 May 17, 
2021.

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 material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact TCCA, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone +1-888-
663-3639; email [email protected]; internet https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You may view this IBR 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 in the AD docket on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0201.

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-2021-
0201; 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: 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:

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-2021-0201; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01346-T'' 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 received, 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 received 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 
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]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Discussion

    TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA 
AD CF-2020-32, dated September 25, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-32) (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Canada Limited 
Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes.

[[Page 17088]]

    This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the 
longeron, frame, and tie-rod on left and right sides of the aft WTBF 
structure near the tie-rod attachment at fuselage section (FS) 973. The 
cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod preload, and the 
cracking reportedly begins earlier on airplanes with the latest of the 
two aft WTBF configurations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address 
such cracking, which could lead to loss of aft WTBF integrity and 
result in damage due to parts departing the airplane, loss of the radio 
altimeter, and effects on airplane stability and performance. See the 
MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    TCCA AD CF-2020-32 describes procedures for doing repetitive 
detailed visual inspections of the aft WTBF structure for any cracking 
or damage (including, but not limited to, cracking), adjusting the load 
on the two tie-rods at FS 973, reporting inspection results, and 
repairing any cracked or damaged WTBF structure. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 
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 in other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in TCCA AD CF-2020-32 described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) to develop a process to use certain EASA ADs as 
the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for 
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since coordinated with other 
manufacturers and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to use this 
process. As a result, TCCA AD CF-2020-32 will be incorporated by 
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, 
require compliance with TCCA AD CF-2020-32 in its entirety, through 
that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions 
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Service information 
specified in TCCA AD CF-2020-32 that is required for compliance with 
TCCA AD CF-2020-32 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0201 after the FAA final rule is published.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this proposed AD interim action. If final action 
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 11 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765...........................              $0             $765           $8,415
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.

    The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the proposed reporting requirement in this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA 
estimates the cost of reporting on U.S. operators to be $935, or $85 
per product.
    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed AD.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has 
been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and 
includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting 
associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should 
be directed to Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-
1524.

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

[[Page 17089]]

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-2021-0201; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01346-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by May 17, 2021.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all 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.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the longeron, 
frame, and tie-rod on left and right sides of the aft wing-to-body 
fairing (WTBF) structure near the tie-rod attachment at fuselage 
station (FS) 973; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-
rod preload. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking, 
which could lead to loss of aft WTBF integrity and result in damage 
due to parts departing the airplane, loss of the radio altimeter, 
and effects on airplane stability and performance.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2020-
32, dated September 25, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-32).

(h) Exceptions to TCCA AD CF-2020-32

    (1) Where TCCA AD CF-2020-32 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraphs B. and E. of TCCA AD CF-2020-32 specify to 
repair ``any cracks or damage'' at certain compliance times or 
intervals, this AD requires repairing any cracks or damage before 
further flight.
    (3) Where TCCA AD CF 2020-32 refers to hours air time, this AD 
requires using flight hours.
    (4) Where table 1 of TCCA AD CF 2020-32 specifies a compliance 
time ``for new aeroplanes with an aeroplane date of manufacture, as 
identified on the identification plate of the aeroplane, dated on or 
after the effective date of this AD'' for this AD use ``for 
airplanes with a date of manufacturer, as identified on the 
identification plate of the airplane, dated on or after the 
effective date of this AD.''
    (5) Where TCCA AD CF 2020-32 defines the ``applicable AMP DM'' 
as ``Airbus Canada Limited Partnership AMP DM BD500-A-J53-82-55-
04AAA-720A-A (Aft fairing strut, Wing To Body Fairing (WTBF)--
Install procedure) Issue 006, dated 26 June 2020, or later 
revisions,'' for this AD use ``Airbus Canada Limited Partnership AMP 
DM BD500-A-J53-82-55-04AAA-720A-A (Aft fairing strut, Wing To Body 
Fairing (WTBF)--Install procedure) Issue 006, dated 26 June 2020, or 
later-approved revisions.''
    (6) Paragraph D. of TCCA AD CF-2020-32 specifies to report 
inspection results to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership within a 
certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(6)(i) or (ii) of this 
AD.
    (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date 
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 TCCA; or Airbus Canada's TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must 
include the DAO-authorized signature.
    (3) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: A federal agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond 
to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply 
with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 
hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
All responses to this collection of information are mandatory as 
required by this AD. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or 
any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For information about TCCA AD CF-2020-32, contact TCCA, 
Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra 
Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; 
email [email protected]; Internet https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You 
may find this TCCA AD on the TCCA website at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. 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. This material may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0201.
    (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].


[[Page 17090]]


    Issued on March 25, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06550 Filed 3-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P