[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73262-73264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20307]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1289; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01049-T; 
Amendment 39-22797; AD 2024-15-06]
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.

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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 a report indicating that at 
various lavatory and galley locations within the airplane, incorrect 
terminal lugs were installed which are not compatible with the 
associated wire gauge. This AD requires removing and replacing existing 
lug terminals at various lavatory and galley locations, 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 October 15, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 15, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1289; 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.

[[Page 73263]]

    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, 
contact Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra 
Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email 
[email protected]. You may 
find this material on the Transport Canada website at 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1289.

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-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2024 (89 FR 37144). 
The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023, issued 
by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada 
(Transport Canada AD CF 2023-67) (also referred to as the MCAI). The 
MCAI states that at lavatory and galley locations within the airplane, 
incorrect terminal lugs have been installed which are not compatible 
with the associated wire gauge.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing and replacing 
existing lug terminals at various lavatory and galley locations, as 
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address incorrect terminal lugs that may become loose causing a loss 
of electromagnetic interference protection, which could result in false 
alarms of the lavatory smoke detectors, false alarms of low crew oxygen 
pressure, loss of automatic control of automatic cabin temperature 
control, and loss of lavatory flush. The unsafe condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an increase in crew workload, including 
diversions and descent to below 10,000 feet or the lowest safe 
altitude.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1289.

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 an individual, who 
requested to be informed as to how the FAA will continue coordination 
between the FAA and Transport Canada to ensure the effectiveness of the 
AD, and to address any emerging issues related to the replacement of 
terminal lugs.
    The FAA continuously evaluates operator and manufacturer reports 
and other data to promote safe type certification and production. Since 
this commenter did not ask for a change to the final rule, no change 
has been made to this AD in response to this request.

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, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the 
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 specifies procedures for removing 
existing terminal lugs and installing new terminal lugs at lavatories 
A, C1, C2, C3, D2, D4, and E, and galleys G2A, G2G, and G4, including 
replacing the ground wires for new terminal lugs if the ground wire 
length is not sufficient; and installing the service bulletin 
incorporation placards.
    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 66 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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              Labor cost                 Parts cost           Cost per product           Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 81 work-hours x $85 per hour =            (*)  Up to $6,885.....................  Up to $454,410.
 Up to $6,885.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this
  AD.

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all the costs of this 
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

    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.

[[Page 73264]]

    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:

2024-15-06 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22797; Docket No. FAA-2024-1289; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01049-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 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-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-67).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that at lavatory and galley 
locations within the airplane, incorrect terminal lugs have been 
installed which are not compatible with the associated wire gauge. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect terminal lugs that 
may become loose causing a loss of electromagnetic interference 
protection, which could result in false alarms of the lavatory smoke 
detectors, false alarms of low crew oxygen pressure, loss of 
automatic control of automatic cabin temperature control, and loss 
of lavatory flush. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could 
result in an increase in crew workload, including diversions and 
descent to below 10,000 feet or the lowest safe altitude.

(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-2023-67.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.

(i) 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 manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-
[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.

(j) 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].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email [email protected]. You may find this Transport 
Canada AD on the Transport Canada website at 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 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 July 23, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-20307 Filed 9-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P