[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 78 (Monday, April 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24681-24683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08593]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1492; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01184-T; 
Amendment 39-22407; AD 2023-07-05]
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.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports the overwing emergency exit door 
(OWEED) escape line may be incorrectly routed. This AD requires 
inspecting the OWEED escape line and correcting the routing if 
required, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 May 30, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 30, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1492; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
     You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, 
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 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1492.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chirayu Gupta, 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; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    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 airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on December 6, 2022 (87 FR 74522). The NPRM was 
prompted by AD CF-2022-51, dated August 30, 2022 (Transport Canada AD 
CF-2022-51), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation 
authority for Canada (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states 
certain airplanes may have entered service with the OWEED escape line 
incorrectly routed, in a manner that would render it inoperable when 
needed. The OWEED escape line is used to facilitate passenger egress 
along the wings following a ditching event. It is possible for the 
OWEED escape line to be installed under the liner of the OWEED 
resulting in the escape line not deploying, which could cause possible 
injuries to passengers escaping over the wing following a ditching 
event.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the OWEED 
escape line and correcting the routing if required, as specified in 
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
he unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1492.

[[Page 24682]]

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Request for Correction of Service Bulletin

    Delta commented that step 2.3.4 in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-256005 
Issue 001 dated 14 April 2020, contains a typographical error. Delta 
noted that step 2.3.4 states ``Torque the screws (2) to 25 to 30 
lbf[middot]in. (2.82 to 3.39 Nm) (refer to AMP BD500-A-J20-31-00-00AAA-
711A-A).'' Delta stated that Airbus Canada confirmed that the ``(2)'' 
reference is incorrect and should be ``(1).'' Delta added that ``screws 
(2)'' do not exist and are not identified in any other step or figure 
in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-256005 
Issue 001 dated 14 April 2020.
    The FAA agrees and confirmed with Airbus Canada Limited Partnership 
that this is a typographical error and the correct reference in step 
2.3.4 is ``(1).'' The FAA added paragraph (h)(2) to this AD to allow 
using the correct reference for the step.

Conclusion

    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 this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting 
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial 
changes, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted 
as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51 specifies procedures for doing a 
detailed inspection of the OWEED escape line routing and correcting the 
OWEED escape line routing, if required. 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 ADDRESSES 
section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
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1.5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $128.........................              $0             $128             $512
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                                  Labor cost                                       Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..............................................              $0              $85
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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

    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:

[[Page 24683]]

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:

2023-07-05 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22407; Docket No. FAA-2022-1492; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01184-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 30, 2023.

(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 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51, 
dated August 30, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports the overwing emergency exit door 
(OWEED) escape line may be incorrectly installed. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to ensure the OWEED escape line is installed correctly. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the OWEED escape 
line not deploying, resulting in possible passenger injury following 
a ditching event.

(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, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where step 2.3.4 of the service information referenced in 
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51 specifies torqueing screws, replace 
the text ``screws (2)'' with ``screws (1).''

(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. 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 Airbus Canada Limited 
Partnership's Transport Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Chirayu Gupta, 
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; email [email protected].

(k) 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 AD CF-2022-51, dated August 30, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-51, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/
aviation.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 
Street, 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 4, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-08593 Filed 4-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P