2023-16010. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–100–1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service event where the nose gear door amber caution message displayed on the crew alerting system during the initial climb after gear retraction. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective September 1, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 1, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–0935; 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 service information identified in this final rule, contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; website bombardier.com.

• You may view this service information 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 at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–0935.

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:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–100–1A10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2023 (88 FR 24924). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF–2022–57, dated October 5, 2022, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states an in-service event occurred where the nose gear door amber caution message displayed on the crew alerting system during the initial climb after gear retraction. After landing, an inspection found that one of the nose landing gear (NLG) door hinge fitting assemblies were broken. The absence of an inspection to detect cracks in the fillet radii of the NLG door hinge fitting could result in door misalignment with the airplane.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracked fillet radii of NLG door hinge fittings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a NLG door misalignment, which could increase the drag and yawing movement during flight, could cause jamming of the door affecting the ability to extend or retract the NLG, or could potentially result in the NLG door detaching from the airplane.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–0935.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Bombardier Challenger 300 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision (TR) TR5–2–101, dated June 30, 2022; and (Bombardier) Challenger 350 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision TR5–2–30, dated June 30, 2022. This service information specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for the NLG door hinge fittings fillet radii. These documents are distinct because they apply to different airplane configurations.

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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, would affect 716 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

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).

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:

2023–13–06 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39–22491; Docket No. FAA–2023–0935; Project Identifier MCAI–2022–01311–T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 1, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–100–1A10 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/maintenance checks; 32, Landing Gear.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by an in-service event that occurred where the nose gear door amber caution message displayed on the crew alerting system during the initial climb after gear retraction. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracked fillet radii of the nose landing gear (NLG) door hinge fittings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a NLG door misalignment, which could increase the drag and yawing movement during flight, could cause jamming of the door affecting the ability to extend or retract the NLG, or could potentially result in the NLG door detaching from the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance and inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Bombardier Challenger 300 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision (TR) TR5–2–101, dated June 30, 2022; or (Bombardier) Challenger 350 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks TR TR5–2–30, dated June 30, 2022; as applicable. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Bombardier Challenger 300 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision (TR) TR5–2–101, dated June 30, 2022; or (Bombardier) Challenger 350 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks TR TR5–2–30, dated June 30, 2022; as applicable, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

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

(i) Other FAA 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 certification office, send it to ATTN: Manager, FAA, International Validation 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, 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

(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF–2022–57, dated October 5, 2022, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–0935.

(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].

(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) Bombardier Challenger 300 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision (TR) TR5–2–101, dated June 30, 2022.

(ii) (Bombardier) Challenger 350 BD–100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Temporary Revision TR5–2–30, dated June 30, 2022.

(3) For Bombardier service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; website bombardier.com.

(4) You may view this service information 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 service information 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: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on July 21, 2023.

Victor Wicklund,

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