[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17725-17727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05193]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1810; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00267-T;
Amendment 39-22679; AD 2024-03-09]
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-500-1A11 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a manufacturing issue with an electrical
connector that may prevent the connector from self-locking. This AD
requires removing the affected connector, installing a new connector,
and testing the emergency power supply units (EPSUs), 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 April 16, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 16,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1810; 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 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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1810.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 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-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on August 31, 2023 (88 FR 60160). The NPRM was
prompted by AD CF-2023-08, dated February 13, 2023, issued by Transport
Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD
CF-2023-08) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a
manufacturing molding issue with an electrical connector may prevent
the connector from self-locking. The connector may become loose over
time, preventing the charging of EPSUs 3 and 4 and lead to the loss of
emergency lights, possibly resulting in injury to occupants during an
evacuation.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing the affected
connector, installing a new connector, and testing the EPSUs, as
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1810.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Delta Air Lines (DAL). The
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response.
Request To Specify No U.S.-Registered Airplanes
DAL stated that via the FAA U.S. registry, the four affected
airplanes are not U.S.-registered. The FAA assumes Delta would like the
AD to specify no U.S.-registered airplanes.
The FAA agrees that the affected airplanes are not registered in
the United States. The Costs of Compliance section of the final rule
has been changed accordingly.
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
comment 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-2023-08 specifies procedures for removing
the affected connector, installing a new connector, and testing the
EPSUs. 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
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an
affected airplane is imported and placed on the
[[Page 17726]]
U.S. Register in the future, the FAA provides the following cost
estimates to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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3.5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $298.. $1,534 $1,832
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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:
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:
2024-03-09 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP);
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22679; Docket No. FAA-2023-1810;
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00267-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 16, 2024.
(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-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated
in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08,
dated February 13, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturing molding issue with an
electrical connector that may prevent the connector from self-
locking. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure the connector does not
become loose over time and prevent the charging of emergency power
supply units (EPSUs) 3 and 4. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in loss of emergency lights, possibly
resulting in injury to occupants during an evacuation.
(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-2023-08.
(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08
Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
actions required by this AD can be accomplished, provided no
passengers are onboard.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation 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 International
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified
in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Airbus Canada
Limited Partnership's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact William Reisenauer,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; 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) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08, dated February 13, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
[[Page 17727]]
(3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-08, 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 service information 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 at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on March 5, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05193 Filed 3-11-24; 8:45 am]
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