[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7679-7681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02753]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2022 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 7679]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0696; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00032-T; 
Amendment 39-21923; AD 2022-03-06]
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: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of loose or 
disconnected powerplant FIREX interconnection hoses. This AD requires 
replacing certain existing FIREX hose assemblies with a newly designed 
FIREX hose assembly, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCCA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of March 17, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For TCCA material 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 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-
0696.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0696; 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, the 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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: Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 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:

Background

    TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA 
AD CF-2021-01, dated January 8, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-01) (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.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2021 (86 FR 
47424). The NPRM was prompted by reports of loose powerplant FIREX 
interconnection hoses, and in one instance a hose was found 
disconnected. An investigation by the manufacturer determined that if 
the instructions for connecting the FIREX hose are not followed 
properly, hoses can become loose or disconnected. The NPRM proposed to 
require replacing certain existing FIREX hose assemblies with a newly 
designed FIREX hose assembly, as specified in TCCA AD CF-2021-01.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility that fire 
extinguishing agent may not be effectively applied should a fire occur 
within a powerplant assembly that has a partially or completely 
disconnected FIREX hose, which could result in the inability to put out 
a fire in the engine. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International, who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from Delta Air Lines. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Request To Withdraw the Proposed AD

    Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the FAA withdraw the proposed 
AD. DAL stated that it had already accomplished the required actions of 
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD by accomplishing the actions specified 
in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Service Bulletin (SB) BD500-262003 
Issue 002, dated January 7, 2020.
    The FAA does not agree with the request to withdraw this AD. Even 
though DAL is the only current U.S. operator of the applicable 
airplanes, the AD must still be issued in case of any future imports of 
the airplanes.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    TCCA AD CF-2021-01 describes procedures for replacing certain 
existing

[[Page 7680]]

FIREX hose assemblies on each powerplant with a newly designed FIREX 
hose assembly with provisions for the installation of safety cables at 
each end, in order to prevent the hose from becoming loose or 
disconnected. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 36 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425...........................         $13,012          $13,437         $483,732
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs 
in the cost estimate.

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

    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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-03-06 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21923; Docket No. FAA-2021-0696; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00032-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2022.

(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-2021-01, dated January 8, 2021 
(TCCA AD CF-2021-01).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose or disconnected 
powerplant FIREX interconnection hoses. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the possibility that fire extinguishing agent may not be 
effectively applied should a fire occur within a powerplant assembly 
that has a partially or completely disconnected FIREX hose, which 
could result in the inability to put out a fire in the engine.

(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-2021-01.

(h) Exceptions to TCCA AD CF-2021-01

    (1) Where TCCA AD CF-2021-01 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where TCCA AD CF-2021-01 refers to ``hours air time,'' this 
AD requires using ``flight hours.''

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in TCCA AD CF-2021-
01 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional 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 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; tax 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,

[[Page 7681]]

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

    For more information about this AD, contact Elizabeth Dowling, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 
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].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Transport Canada Civil Aviation AD CF-2021-01, dated January 
8, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For TCCA AD CF-2021-01, contact 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this material 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 January 20, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02753 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
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