[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3397-3399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01514]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0727; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01659-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the
approach speed adders and landing distance factors must be corrected in
the airplane flight manual (AFM) tables in the non-normal procedure for
the SLAT FAIL (Caution) crew alerting system (CAS) message. This
proposed AD would require revising the existing AFM to provide the
flightcrew with the correct approach speed adders and landing distance
factors for the non-normal procedures for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) CAS
message. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 13,
2026.
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-2026-0727; 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 NPRM, 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-2026-0727.
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: John Massey, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-
228-7300; 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-2026-0727;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01659-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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to John
Massey, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; 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
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53, dated November 11, 2025
(Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53) (also referred to as the MCAI), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-
1A10 and BD-700-
[[Page 3398]]
1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states that Bombardier has determined that the
approach speed adders and landing distance factors in the AFM tables in
the non-normal procedure for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) CAS message
require correction. If not addressed, the incorrect approach speed
adders for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) non-normal procedure could result in
a reduced maneuvering margin to stick shaker activation, failing to
provide the margins assumed during the airplane's initial
certification. This condition may adversely affect the safe operation
of the airplane and increase flightcrew workload due to an unexpected
stall warning and stick shaker activation.
The FAA is proposing 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-2026-0727.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53, which specifies
procedures for revising the AFM to correct the approach speed adders
and landing distance factors in the AFM tables in the non-normal
procedures for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) CAS message. 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 NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing AFM to provide
the flightcrew with the correct approach speed adders and landing
distance factors for the non-normal procedures for the SLAT FAIL
(Caution) CAS message.
Compliance With AFM Revisions
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 requires operators to ``advise all
flight crews'' of revisions to the AFM, and thereafter to ``operate the
aeroplane accordingly.'' However, this proposed AD would not
specifically require those actions as those actions are already
required by FAA regulations. FAA regulations require operators furnish
to pilots any changes to the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 121.137), and to
ensure the pilots are familiar with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR
91.505). As with any other flightcrew training requirement, training on
the updated AFM content is tracked by the operators and recorded in
each pilot's training record, which is available for the FAA to review.
FAA regulations also require pilots to follow the procedures in the
existing AFM including all updates. Section 91.9 of 14 CFR requires
that any person operating a civil aircraft must comply with the
operating limitations specified in the AFM. Therefore, including a
requirement in this proposed AD to operate the airplane according to
the revised AFM would be redundant and unnecessary.
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-2025-53 by reference
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 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-2025-53 for compliance will be available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0727 after the FAA final rule
is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 925 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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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.................. $0 $85 $78,625
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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
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.
[[Page 3399]]
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:
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2026-0727; Project Identifier MCAI-
2025-01659-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 13, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10
and BD-700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53, dated November 11,
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53) except serial number 9001.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the approach speed
adders and landing distance factors must be corrected in the
airplane flight manual (AFM) tables in the non-normal procedure for
the SLAT FAIL (Caution) crew alerting system (CAS) message. The FAA
is issuing this AD to correct the approach speed adders and landing
distance factors for the SLAT FAIL (Caution) non-normal procedure.
The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could lead to a reduced
maneuvering margin to stick shaker (stall warning) activation, which
could increase flightcrew workload due to an unexpected stall
warning and could adversely affect the safe operation of the
airplane.
(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-2025-53.
(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph B of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-53
specifies to ``Advise all flight crews of the changes introduced by
the approved Transport Canada AFM procedures listed above and
thereafter operate the aeroplane accordingly,'' this AD does not
require those actions as those actions are already required by
existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, and
121.137).
(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, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) 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, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bombardier, Inc.'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 John Massey,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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 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-2025-53, dated November 11, 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]. You may find this material 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 January 22, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01514 Filed 1-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P