2022-22331. 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.

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 the discovery that overwing emergency exit door (OWEED) handle covers were difficult to open on some airplanes. This AD requires replacing the existing OWEED handle cover brackets with newly designed OWEED handle cover brackets and installing placards regarding this replacement, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) 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 November 25, 2022.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 25, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact TCCA, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; internet https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0393.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0393; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2021-39, dated November 10, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-39) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes.

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 April 6, 2022 (87 FR 19815). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery that OWEED handle covers were difficult to open on some airplanes. An investigation revealed that brackets of certain OWEED handle covers are prone to flexure, thus increasing the force necessary to remove the OWEED handle cover beyond design requirements. As a result, the OWEED handle covers must be removed in order to access the emergency exit, which could delay passenger evacuation. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the existing OWEED handle cover brackets with newly designed OWEED handle cover brackets and installing a placard regarding this replacement, as specified in TCCA AD CF-2021-39.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address the increased force necessary to remove the OWEED handle cover to access the emergency exit, which could hinder passenger evacuation in emergency. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received a comment from an individual who supported the NPRM without change.

The FAA also received a comment from Delta Airlines (DAL). The following presents that comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.

Request To Clarify Part Numbers for the SB Incorporation Placard

DAL found that the SB Incorporation Placard is identified as two different part numbers, CDPL604-5 and CDPL604-5-F493000-25-01, in Safran Service Bulletin F493000-25-01, Revision 1, dated September 17, 2020, which is referenced in TCCA AD CF-2021-39. The Safran component maintenance manual (CMM) states “true part number is CDPL604-5-F493000-25-01, added by service bulletin F493000-25-01” in the nomenclature for part number “CDPL604-5F49300” described as “placard, service bulletin incorporation (bonded).” The Safran CMM has another part number that begins with “CDPL604-5,” but with a different suffix. The service bulletin does not state the full true part number CDPL604-5-F493000-25-01. DAL requested that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD be revised to add an Exception that clarifies the part numbers.

The FAA partially agrees with the request. The FAA agrees that two part numbers, CDPL604-5 and CDPL604-5-F493000-25-01, were identified for the SB Incorporation Placard, and that both part numbers are correct and represent the same part. However, the FAA disagrees with the need to revise paragraph (h) of this AD to provide further clarification of the part numbers. The replacement kit includes the correct placard for installation. This AD has not been changed with regard to this request.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 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. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

TCCA AD CF-2021-39 specifies procedures for replacing the existing OWEED handle cover brackets with newly designed OWEED handle cover brackets and installing placards regarding this replacement.

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 21 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 × $85 per hour = $255	$40	$295	$6,195

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2022-16-02 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22131; Docket No. FAA-2022-0393; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01249-T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 25, 2022.

(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 Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2021-39, dated November 10, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-39).

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by discovery that overwing emergency exit door (OWEED) handle covers were difficult to open on some airplanes. An investigation revealed that brackets of certain OWEED handle covers are prone to flexure, thus increasing the force necessary to remove the OWEED handle cover beyond design requirements. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the increased force necessary to remove the OWEED handle cover to access the emergency exit, which could hinder passenger evacuation in an emergency.

(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, TCCA AD CF-2021-39.

(h) Exception to TCCA AD CF-2021-39

Where TCCA AD CF-2021-39 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone [phone]. 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, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or TCCA; or Airbus Canada Limited Partnership's TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2021-39, dated November 10, 2021.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For TCCA AD CF-2021-39, contact Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; internet https://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 that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [e-mail], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on July 22, 2022.

Gaetano A. Sciortino,

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.