[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45712-45714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16100]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0982; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00787-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 certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-
500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that the 
engine feed pressure switches were installed with no secondary locking 
mechanism and can become loose and cause a fuel leak. This proposed AD 
would require initial and repetitive inspections at the engine feed 
pressure switch locations and installation of a flange adaptor with 
lockwire to terminate the repetitive inspection, 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 September 
12, 2022

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 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 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 www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0982.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0982; 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, the mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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; 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-2022-0982; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00787-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 
this 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 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

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

[[Page 45713]]

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; 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

    The TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued 
TCCA AD CF-2021-50, dated December 21, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-50) (also 
referred to as 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 that certain fuel system 
pressure switches have been installed without a secondary locking 
feature (lockwire). The fuel pressure switches are installed on the 
alternating current (AC) boost pump cartridge located in the wing dry 
bay (outboard of rib 6) and near the engine feed pressure switch, on 
the rear spar (between ribs 8 and 9). Both installations exist on the 
left-hand and right-hand wings for a total of four affected locations 
on the airplane. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the absence of 
a secondary locking feature (lockwire) on the fuel pressure switches, 
which may allow them to become loose and allow fuel to leak in the 
affected areas, creating a fire hazard. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    TCCA AD CF-2021-50 specifies procedures for repetitive general 
visual inspections of the torque identification stripes, torquing of 
the fuel pressure switches, and installation of lockwire at the two AC 
boost pump cartridges; repetitive general visual inspections of the 
torque identification stripes and torquing of the fuel pressure 
switches at the two engine feed pressure switches; and installation of 
a new flange adaptor and lockwire, which terminates 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

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop in other products of these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in TCCA AD CF-2021-50 described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate TCCA AD CF-2021-50 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
TCCA AD CF-2021-50 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this proposed AD. Service information required by TCCA AD CF-2021-50 
for compliance will be available at www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0982 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 60 airplanes 
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                 Labor cost                     Parts cost             Cost per product              operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 27 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,295.            $811  Up to $2,295......................        $137,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,190.              $0           $1,190
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected operators.

[[Page 45714]]

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-2022-0982; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00787-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 12, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-
500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2021-50, 
dated December 21, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-50).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the engine feed pressure 
switches were installed with no secondary locking mechanism and can 
become loose and cause a fuel leak. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the absence of a secondary locking feature (lockwire) on the 
fuel pressure switches, which may allow them to become loose and 
allow fuel to leak in the affected areas, creating a fire hazard.

(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-2021-50.

(h) Exception to TCCA AD CF-2021-50

    (1) Where TCCA AD CF-2021-50 refers to hours air time, this AD 
requires using flight hours.
    (2) Where TCCA AD CF-2021-50 refers to its effective date, or 14 
July 2021, the effective date of AD CF-2021-21, this AD requires 
using the effective date of this AD.

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

(j) Related Information

    (1) For TCCA AD CF-2021-50, 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 
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2022-0982.
    (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; email [email protected].
    (3) For service information identified 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 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 July 22, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16100 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P