[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76399-76401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21176]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 76399]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1470; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01284-T; 
Amendment 39-22814; AD 2024-16-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 
(Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report 
that the electrical harnesses in the overhead bin above the class 
divider may have insufficient or no separation with the class divider 
mounting plate. This AD requires inspecting the overhead bin electrical 
harnesses at the class dividers and modifying the class divider 
mounting plate assembly or accomplishing a temporary repair if 
necessary; and, eventually modifying the class divider mounting plate 
assembly if a modification was not done after accomplishing the 
inspection, 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 23, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1470; 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 Transport Canada material identified 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]. 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 Street, 
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-2024-1470.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, 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 MHI RJ Aviation 
ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2024 
(89 FR 46336). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-79, dated December 
21, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79) (also referred to as the 
MCAI). The MCAI states that the electrical harnesses in the overhead 
bin above the class divider may have insufficient or no separation with 
the class divider mounting plate. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in the electrical harnesses becoming chafed, which could 
affect the following aircraft systems: ordinance signs, emergency 
lights/signs, passenger oxygen, and passenger address and air 
conditioning systems.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the overhead 
bin electrical harnesses at the class dividers and modifying the class 
divider mounting plate assembly or accomplishing a temporary repair if 
necessary; and, eventually modifying the class divider mounting plate 
assembly if a modification was not done after accomplishing the 
inspection, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79. 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-2024-1470.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

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 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-2023-79 specifies procedures for inspecting 
the left-hand and right-hand overhead bin electrical harnesses at the 
class divider for damage (e.g., chafing), and if damage is found, 
modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly to improve the

[[Page 76400]]

overhead bin harnesses protection or accomplishing a temporary repair. 
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79 also specifies procedures for eventually 
modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly if a modification 
was not done after accomplishing the inspection (i.e., if a temporary 
repair was done or if no damage was found after accomplishing the 
inspection). 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 246 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255......              $0  $255......................  $62,730.
Up to 9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765            $366  Up to $1,131..............  Up to $278,226.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 actions:

                Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Labor cost                Parts cost      Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 9 work-hours x $85 per hour             $366  Up to $1,131.
 = $765.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
  estimates for the on-condition optional temporary repair specified in
  this AD.

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:

2024-16-08 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22814; Docket No. FAA-2024-1470; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01284-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MHI RJ Aviation ULC (type certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet 
Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and 
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79, dated 
December 21, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79), except for Group 
3 and Group 5 airplanes identified Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c):  Group 3 airplanes that are modified as 
specified in Service Bulletin 670BA-25-110 become Group 2 airplanes 
as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79.


    Note 2 to paragraph (c):  Group 5 airplanes that are modified as 
specified in Service Bulletin 670BA-25-057 become Group 4 airplanes 
as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the electrical harnesses 
in the overhead bin above the class divider may have insufficient or 
no separation with the class divider mounting plate. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address possible chafing of the electrical 
harness with the class divider mounting plate. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in the electrical harnesses becoming 
chafed, which could affect the following aircraft systems: ordinance 
signs,

[[Page 76401]]

emergency lights/signs, passenger oxygen, and passenger address and 
air conditioning systems.

(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-2023-79.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79 refers to its effective 
date or August 7, 2023 (the effective date of Transport Canada AD 
CF-2023-56, dated July 24, 2023), this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (3) Where paragraph A. of Part I of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-
79, specifies ``and, modify as required,'' for this AD, replace that 
text with ``and, before further flight, modify as required.''
    (4) Where any MHIRJ service information referenced in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2023-79 differs from any Safran service information 
referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79, the MHIRJ service 
information takes precedence over the Safran service information 
because the initial revision of the Safran service information does 
not list all affected part numbers.

(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 MHI RJ Aviation 
ULC'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 Fatin Saumik, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 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 (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 service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79, dated December 21, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-79, 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 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 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 September 12, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21176 Filed 9-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P