2024-09015. 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:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-05-08, which applies to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2023-05-08 requires required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-05-08, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-05-08 and require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by June 13, 2024.

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: [phone].

• 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-2024-1285; 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 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership material, contact Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, Mirabel, Québec J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone [phone]; email a220_ [e-mail]; website a220world.airbus.com.

• 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:

Gabriel D. Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA-2024-1285; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01146-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 the 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 Gabriel D. Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590, telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2023-05-08, Amendment 39-22377 (88 FR 20751, April 7, 2023) (AD 2023-05-08), for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2023-05-08 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. AD 2023-05-08 resulted from a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA issued AD 2023-05-08 to supersede AD 2021-04-05, Amendment 39-21426 (86 FR 10799, February 23, 2021). AD 2023-05-08 terminated the actions specified in AD 2021-04-05, except for Section 03, “Candidate CMR Limitations—General”, of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020. The FAA issued AD 2023-05-08 to address reduced structural integrity of the airplane or reduced controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2023-05-08 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2023-05-08, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2023-69, dated October 5, 2023 (TCCA AD CF-2022-18) (also referred to after this as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued after August 17, 2023, must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; this proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.

The FAA is proposing this AD to address new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the airplane or reduced controllability of the airplane.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1285.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 017.01, dated August 17, 2023, which describes airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems, safe life limits, and certification maintenance requirements.

This proposed AD would also require Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 014.00, dated February 3, 2022, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of May 12, 2023 (88 FR 20751, April 7, 2023).

This proposed AD would also require Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of March 30, 2021 (86 FR 10799, February 23, 2021).

This service information 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

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 [and service information] 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 Requirements of This NPRM

This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2023-05-08, which includes retaining Section 03, “Candidate CMR Limitations—General,” of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Revising the existing maintenance or inspection program as proposed in this AD would terminate the retained requirements from AD 2023-05-08 that are specified in paragraph (i) of this proposed AD.

This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions ( e.g., inspections) and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with these actions and CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (m)(1) of this proposed AD.

Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI or Service Information

TCCA AD CF-2023-69 specifies to incorporate all sections of the airworthiness limitations document. This proposed AD would not require the incorporation of Section 03, “Candidate CMR limitations,” of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 017.01, dated August 17, 2023. However, this proposed AD would continue to require the incorporation of Section 03, “Candidate CMR limitations—General,” of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020, which is identical to the list of CCMRs identified in Issue 017.01.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 99 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained actions from AD 2023-05-08 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

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

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

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-05-08, Amendment 39-22377 ( 88 FR 20751, April 7, 2023); and

b. 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-2024-1285; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01146-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by June 13, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2023-05-08, Amendment 39 22377 (88 FR 20751, April 7, 2023) (AD 2023-05-08).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.

(1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50001 and subsequent with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before August 17, 2023.

(2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55001 and subsequent with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before August 17, 2023.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the airplane or reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With Revised Language

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2023-05-08, with revised language. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 18, 2020: Within 90 days after March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-04-05, Amendment 39-21426 (86 FR 10799, February 23, 2021)), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Section 03, “Candidate CMR Limitations—General,” of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020, or within 90 days after March 30, 2021, whichever occurs later.

(h) Retained No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With Revised Language

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2023-05-08 with revised language. After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance.

(i) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With a New Terminating Action

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2023-05-08, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before February 3, 2022: Within 90 days after May 12, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-05-08), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Sections 01, “Airworthiness limitations—Introduction;” 02, “Certification maintenance requirements—General;” 04, “ALI structural inspections—General;” 05, “Life limited parts—General;” 06, “Fuel system limitations—General;” 07, “Critical design configuration control limitations—General;” 08, “Power plant limitations—General;” 09, “Structural repair limitations—General;” and 10, “Limit of validity—General;” inclusive of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 014.00, dated February 3, 2022. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 014.00, dated February 3, 2022, or within 90 days after May 12, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-05-08), whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (k) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(j) Retained No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With a New Exception

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2023-05-08, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.

(k) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 017.01, dated August 17, 2023, except for the information specified in Section 03, “Candidate CMR Limitations—General”. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 017.01, dated August 17, 2023, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

(l) New No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or CDCCLs

After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (k) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.

(m) 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 (n)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail].

(i) 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.

(n) Additional Information

(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-69, dated October 5, 2023, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1285.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel D. Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].

(i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 017.01, dated August 17, 2023.

(ii) [Reserved]

(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 12, 2023 (88 FR 20751, April 7, 2023).

(i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 014.00, dated February 3, 2020.

(ii) [Reserved]

(5) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 30, 2021 (86 FR 10799, February 23, 2021).

(i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Airworthiness Limitations, BD500-3AB48-11400-02, Issue 011.00, dated June 18, 2020.

(ii) [Reserved]

(6) For Airbus Canada Limited Partnership material, contact Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, Mirabel, Québec J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; website a220world.airbus.com.

(7) 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.

(8) 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 [e-mail].

Issued on April 20, 2024.

Victor Wicklund,

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.