Document ID: FAA-2021-0784-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2021-09-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51029-51033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19703]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0784; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01455-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 CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 
(601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD 
would 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 proposed AD by October 29, 
2021.

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 https://www.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.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 200 C[ocirc]te Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 2A3, Canada; North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or 
direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; 
internet https://www.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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0784; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

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-2021-0784; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01455-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 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

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

[[Page 51030]]

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 Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and 
Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-
794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.go. 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 Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-44, dated October 23, 
2020 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for 
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), 
and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0784.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address fatigue cracking and loss of structural 
integrity of the circumferential splice joint, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following Bombardier service information, 
which describes new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations (a 
special detailed inspection for cracking of the skin circumferential 
splice at fuselage station (FS) 559.00, between stringer (STR) 10L and 
STR10R. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane configurations. (Note: The asterisk (or ``one star'') with the 
last three digits of the task number indicates that the task is an 
airworthiness limitation task.)
     Task 53-30-00-165*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger 605 CL-600-1A11 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks 
(TLMC), Product Support Publication (PSP) 605, Temporary Revision (TR) 
5-163, dated April 30, 2020.
     Task 53-30-00-188*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger CL-600-2A12 TLMC, PSP 601-5, TR 5-267, dated 
April 30, 2020.
     Task 53-30-00-191*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger CL-600-2B16 TLMC, PSP 601A-5, TR 5-281, dated 
April 30, 2020.
     Task 53-20-00-192*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger CL-600-2B16, CH 604, TLMC, Revision 32, dated 
December 18, 2019.
     Task 53-20-00-192*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger CL-600-2B16, CH 605, TLMC, Revision 21, dated 
December 18, 2019.
     Task 53-20-00-192*, ``Special Detailed Inspection of the 
Skin Circumferential Splice at FS559.00 between STR10L and STR10R,'' of 
Bombardier Challenger CL-600-2B16, CH 650, TLMC, Revision 8, dated 
December 18, 2019.
    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 the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD 
because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined 
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 require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions 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 
(i)(1) of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 463 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed 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 x $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.

[[Page 51031]]

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:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0784; Project Identifier MCAI-
2020-01455-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive by 
October 29, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., airplanes, certificated in 
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this 
AD.
    (1) Model CL-600-1A11 (600) airplanes, serial numbers 1004 
through 1085 inclusive.
    (2) Model CL-600-2A12 (601) airplanes, serial numbers 3001 
through 3066 inclusive.
    (3) Model CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) 
airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive, 5301 through 
5665 inclusive, 5701 through 6049 inclusive, and 6050 through 6999 
inclusive.

(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 fatigue cracking and loss of structural 
integrity of the circumferential splice joint, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of 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 or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Figure 1 to paragraph (g) 
of this AD. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at 
the time specified in the applicable document specified in Figure 1 
to paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 60 days after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
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[[Page 51032]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14SE21.003

(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, 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

[[Page 51033]]

responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the certification office, 
send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. 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 Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2020-44, dated October 23, 2020, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0784.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Elizabeth 
Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative 
Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-
5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 200 C[ocirc]te Vertu Road West, Dorval, 
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 2A3, Canada; North America toll-free telephone 1-
866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; email 
ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet https://www.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.

    Issued on September 8, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19703 Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
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