[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 102 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28719-28722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11237]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0444; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01601-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 reports of wear 
damage found between the bonding clamps and the fuel feed tubes inside 
the left- and right-hand fuel tanks. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive inspections of the fuel feed tubes for damage, replacement 
if necessary, and modification of the fuel feed line installation 
inside the left- and right-hand fuel tanks, which would terminate the 
repetitive inspections, 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 July 12, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR

[[Page 28720]]

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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0444.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0444; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Airframe & 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-2021-0444; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01601-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 & 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-2019-19R1, issued November 1, 2019 (TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1) (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 reports of wear damage found 
between the bonding clamps and the fuel feed tubes inside the left- and 
right-hand fuel tanks. In one incident, the wear damage resulted in a 
hole in the main engine feed tube located in the collector tank, and 
subsequent fuel imbalance during flight. Service experience indicates 
that a number of fuel feed tubes inside both of the fuel tanks are 
exposed to chafing damage, which may lead to failure of the fuel feed 
tube. The FAA is proposing this AD to address failure of certain fuel 
feed tubes, which could lead to a severe fuel imbalance or fuel 
starvation of one engine, or in the event of the failure of multiple 
fuel tubes feeding both engines, could result in an in-flight shutdown 
of both engines. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections of the fuel feed tubes for damage, replacement if any 
damage is found, and modification of the fuel feed line installation 
inside the left- and right-hand fuel tanks, which would terminate the 
repetitive inspections.
    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-2019-19R1 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 the 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

[[Page 28721]]

with other manufacturers and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to use 
this process. As a result, TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 will be incorporated by 
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, 
require compliance with TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 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-2019-19R1 that is required for compliance with 
TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 will be available at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0444 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 46 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 91 work-hours x $85 per   Up to $15,265.............  Up to $23,000............  Up to $1,058,000.
 hour = Up to $7,735.
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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:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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               Labor cost                             Parts cost                       Cost per product
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.....  Up to $77,000......................  Up to $77,255.
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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:

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.): 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0444; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01601-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by July 12, 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-2019-19R1, issued November 1, 
2019 (TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of wear damage found between the 
bonding clamps and the fuel feed tubes inside the left- and right-
hand fuel tanks. In one incident, the wear damage resulted in a hole 
in the main engine fuel feed tube located in the collector tank, and 
subsequent fuel imbalance during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address failure of certain fuel feed tubes, which could lead to a 
severe fuel imbalance or fuel starvation of one engine, or in the 
event of the failure of multiple fuel tubes feeding both engines, 
could result in an in-flight shutdown of both engines.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 28722]]

(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-2019-19R1.

(h) Exceptions to TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1

    (1) Where TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 refers to the effective date of 
TCCA AD CF-2019-19 (May 27, 2019), this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 refers to its effective date, 
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 refers to hours air time, this AD 
requires using flight hours.
    (4) Where TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 specifies rectifying ``any noted 
discrepancy,'' for this AD discrepancies are ``damage, cracks, 
scores, scratches, nicks, and gouges.''

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in TCCA AD CF-2019-
19R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) 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; phone: 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 Limited Partnership's TCCA 
Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the 
approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For information about TCCA AD CF-2019-19R1 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0444.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph 
Catanzaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, Airframe & 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 May 24, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11237 Filed 5-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P