[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53246-53249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20805]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0832; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01550-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of internal 
corrosion on the inboard flaps found prior to regularly scheduled 
maintenance checks. This proposed AD would require revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate a certain aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) task. 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 November 
12, 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 service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier, Inc., 200 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, 
Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 2A3, Canada; telephone 514-855-2999; email 
[email protected]; internet https://www.bombardier.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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0832; 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: Antariksh Shetty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; 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-2021-0832; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01550-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 
Antariksh Shetty, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; 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

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-49R1, dated May 20, 
2021 (TCCA AD CF-2020-49R1) (also referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-
1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0832.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of internal corrosion on 
the inboard flaps found prior to regularly scheduled maintenance 
checks. The FAA is proposing this AD to address such corrosion, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity, detachment of the flap, 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
    See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier issued the following service information.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global Express Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 90, 
dated May 19, 2021.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global Express XRS 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 XRS AMM, 
Revision 68, dated May 19, 2021.

[[Page 53247]]

     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global 6000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6000 AMM, Revision 39, 
dated May 19, 2021.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global 6500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6500 AMM, Revision 8, 
dated May 19, 2021.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 71, 
dated May 19, 2021.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global 5000 Featuring 
Global Vision Flight Deck Aircraft Maintenance Manual--Part Two--
Publication No. GL 5000 GVFD AMM, Revision 38, dated May 19, 2021.
     Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of Bombardier Global 5500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 5500 AMM, Revision 7, 
dated May 19, 2021.
    These documents describe amendments to the AMM to include 
inspections of the inboard flap internal ribs for corrosion. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane serial 
numbers.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    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 
and service information 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 
on other products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information 
specified in AMM Task 57-51-00-290-801 and the compliance times for AMM 
Task 57-51-00-290-801.
    The AMM task corresponds to Part 3, Task 57-51-00-201, Special 
Detailed Inspection of the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs, of the 
applicable Bombardier Time Limits/Maintenance Checks (TLMC), which is 
referenced in the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 141 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed 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 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:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0832; Project Identifier MCAI-
2020-01550-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 12, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
9001 through 9879 inclusive, 9998, and 60001 through 60033 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted was prompted by reports of internal 
corrosion on the inboard flaps found prior to regularly scheduled 
maintenance checks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address internal 
corrosion on the inboard flaps, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity, detachment of the flap, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing maintenance or

[[Page 53248]]

inspection program, as applicable, to include the information 
specified in Task 57-51-00-290-801, ``Special Detailed Inspection of 
the Inboard-Flap Internal Ribs,'' of the applicable Bombardier 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) identified in figure 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD and to include the following compliance 
times for Task 57-51-00-290-801: Within 60 months after the 
effective date of this AD (for the initial compliance time), and 
repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 months.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP27SE21.000

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, may be used unless the 
actions or intervals, 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 local Flight Standards District 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 district office/certificate holding district 
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 
Bombardier, Inc.'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-2020-49R1, dated May 20, 2021, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0832.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Antariksh 
Shetty, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 200 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 2A3, Canada; telephone 514-855-2999; email

[[Page 53249]]

[email protected]; internet https://www.bombardier.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.

    Issued on September 21, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20805 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
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