[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2029-2032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00062]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1662; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00689-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-100-1A10 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of

[[Page 2030]]

erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) 
and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS) while on-
ground and during flight. This proposed AD would require a records 
check and replacement of affected left-hand (LH) direct current power 
center (DCPC) units. 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 February 
27, 2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1662; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Bombardier service information identified in this 
NPRM, contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 
400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 
telephone 514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace 
Engineer, Avionics & Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO 
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 
516-228-7367; 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-2022-1662; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00689-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 
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 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 
Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics & Electrical Systems 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; 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, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2022-28, dated June 9, 2022 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2022-28) (also referred to after this as the MCAI), to 
correct an unsafe condition on certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-
1A10 airplanes. The MCAI states there have been multiple reports of 
erratic electrical system status on the PBAs and the EICAS while on-
ground and during flight, and in several cases, leading to momentary 
loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays following flight 
crew responses to the erratic statuses. It was found that airplanes 
could experience misleading electrical system status indications (PBA 
and EICAS) as a result of contamination of electrical contacts in the 
LH DCPC internal communication data bus. Those erratic indications 
could cause the crew to turn off fully-operational electrical power 
sources, leading to partial or complete loss of electrical power. Loss 
of electrical power could result in the loss of flight displays and 
reduced controllability of the airplane.
    The MCAI also stated that Transport Canada previously issued CF-
2020-46, dated November 17, 2020 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2021-23-
14, Amendment 39-21812 (86 FR 68889, December 6, 2021)), which mandated 
the use of revised Electrical Emergency and Non-Normal Procedures in 
the airplane flight manual that directed crews not to turn off active 
generators in the event of an erroneous electrical system status 
indication. The MCAI advised that further corrective action is being 
developed to introduce a design improvement to the DCPC that is 
intended to protect the internal communication data bus from 
contaminants, and that a time-limited maintenance check will also be 
implemented.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1662.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletins 100-24-29 and 350-24-
004, both dated April 9, 2021. This service information specifies 
procedures for a records check to determine the total flight hours and 
replacement of affected LH DCPC units (part numbers 975GC02Y04, 
975GC0Y05, 975GC02Y06, or 975GC02Y07). These documents are distinct 
since they apply to different airplane configurations. 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

[[Page 2031]]

country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, 
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information described above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this NPRM and the MCAI or Service Information.''

Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI or Service Information

    The note to paragraph 2.B.(4) in Bombardier Service Bulletins 100-
24-29 and 350-24-004, both dated April 9, 2021, specifies to reset the 
unit total flight hours to zero at date of incorporation. This proposed 
AD would not require that action.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action. 
The MCAI states that further corrective action is being developed. Once 
this action is developed, approved, and available, the FAA might 
consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 315 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hours x $85 per hour = $85............................              $0              $85          $26,775
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per  product
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8 work-hours x $85 per hour =   Up to $35,000......  Up to $35,680.
 $680.
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    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.

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-2022-1662; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-00689-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by February 27, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial number 20003 
through 20795 inclusive, 20797 through 20812 inclusive, 20814 
through 20832 inclusive, and 20834 through 20836 inclusive.

[[Page 2032]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical 
system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) and the engine 
instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS) while on-ground and 
during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address erratic 
indications, which could cause the flight crew to turn off fully-
operational electrical power sources, leading to partial or complete 
loss of electrical power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in loss of electrical power could result in the loss of 
flight displays and reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Records Check

    Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, verify the 
total flight hours of the left-hand (LH) direct current power center 
(DCPC) unit since the date of manufacture by doing a records check 
in accordance with paragraph 2.B.(1) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes having serial number 20001 through 20500 
inclusive, use Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-29, dated April 9, 
2021.
    (2) For airplanes having serial number 20501 through 20999 
inclusive, use Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-24-004, dated April 
9, 2021.

(h) Replacement of the LH DCPC

    If, during the records check required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, the total flight hours since date of manufacture of the LH DCPC 
unit is equal to or more than 3,100 total flight hours and the LH 
DCPC has not been cleaned as specified in Safran Service Bulletin 
975GC02Y-24-018 before the effective date of this AD: Within 19 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace the LH DCPC unit 
in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.(2) through 2.B.(5) and 2.C. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.

(i) Exception to the Service Information

    Although the note in paragraph 2.B.(4) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletins 100-24-29, and 350-24-
004, both dated April 9, 2021, specifies that actions will reset 
``the unit total flight hours to zero at date of incorporation,'' 
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 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 New York ACO 
Branch, mail it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, at the address identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD or 
email to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also 
submit information by email. 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 Transport Canada; or Bombardier, Inc.'s Transport 
Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, 
the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-28, dated May 26, 2022, 
for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in 
the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1662.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Steven 
Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics & Electrical Systems 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; email [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-29, dated April 9, 2021.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-24-004, dated April 9, 
2021.
    (3) For Bombardier service information identified in this AD, 
contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 
C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 
telephone 514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website 
bombardier.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 2, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00062 Filed 1-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P