[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21967-21969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0339; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01605-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).

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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 design review 
that identified rib 0 of the center wing box (CWB) as an area where a 
single failure of a clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling could 
lead to the accumulation of dangerous levels of electrostatic charges 
within the fuel tank. This proposed AD would require replacing the 
clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling in the CWB at rib 0 with a 
threaded type fuel coupling, and installing an additional support 
bracket and clamp in the CWB at rib 0, 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 June 10, 
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 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-2021-0339.

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-
0339; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 21968]]

The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7366; 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-2021-0339; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01605-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 
Joseph Catanzaro, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7366; 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.

Background

    TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA 
AD CF-2020-04, dated March 9, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-04) (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.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a design review that identified 
rib 0 of the CWB as an area where a single failure of a clamshell type 
refuel/defuel line coupling could potentially lead to the accumulation 
of dangerous levels of electrostatic charges within the fuel tank. The 
FAA is proposing this AD to address failure of a clamshell type refuel/
defuel line coupling, which could lead to fuel tank ignition. See the 
MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    TCCA AD CF-2020-04 describes procedures for replacing the clamshell 
type refuel/defuel line coupling in the CWB at rib 0 with a threaded 
type fuel coupling, and installing an additional support bracket and 
clamp in the CWB at rib 0. 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 the TCCA AD CF-2020-04 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 Union 
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-2020-04 will be incorporated by 
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, 
require compliance with TCCA AD CF-2020-04 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-2020-04 that is required for compliance with 
TCCA AD CF-2020-04 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0339 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 47 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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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
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27 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,295........................          $7,191           $9,486         $445,842
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[[Page 21969]]

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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.): 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0339; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01605-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by June 10, 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.) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport 
Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2020-04, dated March 9, 2020 
(TCCA AD CF-2020-04).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a design review that identified rib 0 of 
the center wing box (CWB) as an area where a single failure of a 
clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling could lead to the 
accumulation of dangerous levels of electrostatic charges within the 
fuel tank. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of a 
clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling, which could lead to fuel 
tank ignition.

(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, TCCA AD CF-2020-04.

(h) Exceptions to TCCA AD CF-2020-04

    (1) Where TCCA AD CF-2020-04 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where TCCA AD CF-2020-04 refers to hours air time, this AD 
requires using flight hours.

(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 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For information about TCCA AD CF-2020-04 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 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-2021-0339.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph 
Catanzaro, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7366; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].

    Issued on April 21, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-08620 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P