[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 184 (Thursday, September 25, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46098-46102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18606]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0199; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00332-T]
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: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that would have applied to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership
Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This action revises the
NPRM by adding a requirement to re-identify the ceiling panel liners.
The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the
unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an
additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting
comments on this SNPRM.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by November 10,
2025.
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-2025-0199; 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 SNPRM, 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 Transport Canada material identified in this proposed
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. It is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0199.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda L. Buitrago, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 516-
288-7368; 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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0199;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00332-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 this 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 SNPRM.
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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, it is important that you clearly designate
the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission
[[Page 46099]]
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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to Brenda L. Buitrago, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 516-288-7368; 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
The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that
would have applied to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model
BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2025 (90 FR 9526). The NPRM was
prompted by AD CF-2024-21, dated June 20, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2024-21), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority
for Canada. Transport Canada AD CF-2024-21 states that environmental
control system (ECS) ducts, located on forward and aft cargo
compartment ceiling panels, having part numbers (P/Ns) D761189-105,
D761189-501, and D762232-509, have been manufactured using material
APF1180-7781, which replaced discontinued legacy material Solvay
L591PG-7781. The material change to APF1180-7781 was done without
changing the ECS duct part number. Subsequent certification testing of
the ECS ducts made using material APF1180-7781 failed flammability test
requirements. These noncompliant ECS ducts may have been installed on
certain affected airplanes during production. Noncompliant ECS ducts
could result in the inability to contain a fire within the cargo
compartment, which could result in an uncontrolled fire.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the affected
ECS ducts and, as applicable, installing a fire-resistant sleeve
assembly over any non-compliant ECS duct, and prohibit the installation
of ECS ducts as replacement parts under certain conditions.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, Transport Canada superseded
Transport Canada AD CF-2024-21 and issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
10, dated February 27, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10) (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus
Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes.
The MCAI states that since Transport Canada AD CF-2024-21 was issued,
Airbus Canada revised the instructions in their service information to
include a requirement to identify the ceiling panel liners to ensure
configuration control.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address noncompliant ECS ducts that
could cause an inability to contain a fire within the cargo
compartment. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an
uncontrolled fire.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0199.
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) and two individuals who supported the NPRM without
change.
The FAA received additional comments from Delta Air Lines (Delta).
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Reference Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10
Delta requested that the proposed AD be updated to incorporate
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10, which supersedes Transport Canada AD
CF-2024-21 and requires additional identification of the ceiling panel
liners in affected cargo compartments for airplanes that already
incorporated corrective actions. Delta added that Transport Canada AD
CF-2025-10 updates the definition of the applicable service information
to reference revision 3.
The FAA agrees. As previously stated, the FAA has revised this
proposed AD to reference Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10.
Request for a 60-Day Grace Period
Delta requested the inclusion of a 60-day grace period in paragraph
(h) of the proposed AD. Delta stated the requested 60-day grace period
is intended to address Delta aircraft that would be approaching/
exceeding the 9,350 total flight hours compliance time when the FAA AD
is published. Delta stated it owns three aircraft that need to
accomplish the modification required by the proposed AD, and that
without a grace period, those aircraft would be grounded. Delta noted
that it found many issues with the service information that needed to
be reconciled, and a 60-day grace period would allow adequate time to
schedule the aircraft into a hanger and to procure parts and materials.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request for a grace period, but
has determined that a 30 day grace period will allow operators adequate
time to plan and procure parts and materials. The FAA has added
paragraph (h)(3) of this proposed AD to provide a 30-day grace period.
Request To Address Discrepancies in Service Information
Delta requested the FAA add exceptions to paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD to address discrepancies in the related service
information. Delta stated paragraph (g) of the proposed AD mandates
accomplishing the instructions of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership
Service Bulletin BD500-501003 Issue 001, or later revisions, and Safran
Service Bulletin F493000-50-06, as a corrective action for the related
unsafe condition. Delta stated that it discovered four discrepancies in
the instructions of Safran Service Bulletin F493000-50-06 Revision 1,
dated October 31, 2024. Delta suggested wording to address each of the
following discrepancies:
Instructions to drill holes for inserts that are placed before
instructions to mark and identify locations for those inserts.
A guidance note that could be moved to a different location to help
guide maintenance personnel.
Instructions related to the installation of masking tape and
inserts that could be done in a different order.
Missing instructions to drill holes for installing a sleeve
assembly.
The FAA partially agrees with the commenter's request. Regarding
the position of the note, the FAA clarifies that the note is guidance
material, not mandatory, and may be deviated from, including applying
that guidance after a different step in the referenced material.
Therefore, no change to this proposed AD is needed regarding the note.
For the commenter's other requests, the FAA has added paragraphs (h)(4)
through (6) of this proposed AD to address the discrepancies.
Request To Confirm Intent To Allow Use of Later Revisions of Service
Information
Delta requested the FAA include an acknowledgement in the preamble
of the proposed AD to state the FAA intends to allow the use of later
revisions of the service information specified in Transport Canada AD
CF-2024-21. Delta stated it discovered errors that prompted Airbus to
initiate two service bulletin revisions and
[[Page 46100]]
operators should use later revisions of the service information to
comply with the proposed AD.
The FAA confirms that it intends to allow the use of applicable
later service bulletins revisions to comply with the requirements of
this proposed AD. This proposed AD refers to Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-10 as the appropriate source of service information for
accomplishing the required actions. Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10
specifies acceptance of the use of later-approved revisions of the
referenced Airbus Canada Limited Partnership service bulletin for
compliance. Therefore, applicable later-approved service bulletin
revisions are acceptable. The FAA has not changed the proposed AD
regarding this request.
Request To Address Reporting Requirement
Delta requested a statement be added to paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD to addresses the reporting requirement in Airbus Canada
Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-501003 Issue No. 003, dated
December 18, 2024, or later revisions. Delta noted the service bulletin
requires the submission of a data sheet to the Airbus customer response
center for analysis. Delta stated the collection of ECS duct lot
numbers does not provide public benefit or utility towards creating
project scope or determining terminating action. Delta requested that
the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD to state that reporting
is not required.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. The FAA has added
paragraph (i) of this proposed AD to specify that reporting to the
manufacturer is not required, and redesignated subsequent paragraphs
accordingly.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 specifies procedures for inspecting
to determine the lot numbers of affected ECS ducts, installing a fire-
resistant sleeve assembly over any non-compliant ECS duct, and
reidentifying the ceiling panel liners in the cargo compartments.
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 also prohibits the installation of ECS
ducts as replacement parts under certain conditions. 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this SNPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a
result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.
Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 described previously, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 by reference
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 in its entirety through
that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Material required by
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 for compliance will be available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0199 after the FAA final rule
is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 11 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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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020............... $0 $1,020 $11,220
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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
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... $4,840 $5,010
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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
[[Page 46101]]
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:
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held
by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.):
Docket No. FAA-2025-0199; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00332-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 10, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model
BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by certification testing that found that
environmental control system (ECS) ducts manufactured using material
APF1180-7781 failed the flammability test requirements established
for compliance. The FAA is issuing this AD to address noncompliant
ECS ducts that could cause an inability to contain a fire within the
cargo compartment. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in an uncontrolled fire.
(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-2025-10, dated February 27,
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10).
(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-10 refers to June 20, 2024
(the effective date of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-21), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the first paragraph under Part 1 of Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-10 specifies a compliance time for the inspection and
retrofit, for this AD the compliance time is at the later of the
times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD:
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 9,350 total flight hours or
within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first.
(ii) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where the Safran material referenced in Transport Canada AD
CF-2025-10 specifies to drill holes, this AD allows identifying and
marking the new locations for the inserts prior to drilling the
holes.
(5) Where the Safran material referenced in Transport Canada AD
CF-2025-10 specifies accomplishing step 3.D.(8) after accomplishing
steps 3.D.(6) and 3.D.(7), this AD allows accomplishing step 3.D.(8)
concurrently with or after step 3.D.(5).
(6) Where the Safran material referenced in Transport Canada AD
CF-2025-10 specifies ``mark the holes position'', for this AD
replace that text with ``mark the holes position and drill the
holes''.
(7) Where the second paragraph under Part II of Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-10 specifies ``The use of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Safran Cabin Service Bulletin F493000-50-06 as contained within
Airbus Canada SB BD500-501003 Issue 001, dated 21 December 2023, or
Issue 002, dated November 15, 2024, prior to the effective date of
this AD, also meet the intent of Part II of this AD'', this AD
requires replacing that text with ``The use of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Safran Cabin Service Bulletin F493000-50-06 as
contained within Airbus Canada SB BD500-501003 Issue 001, dated 21
December 2023, or Issue 002, dated November 15, 2024, prior to the
effective date of this AD, also meet the intent of Part II of this
AD, provided the ceiling panel liners in the cargo compartments have
been re-identified in accordance with the procedure in Section 3 of
Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the ACLP SB.''
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
10 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety 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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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.
[[Page 46102]]
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Brenda L. Buitrago,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 516-288-7368; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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-2025-10, dated February 27, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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]; website 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 September 23, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-18606 Filed 9-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P