Document ID: FAA-2023-2397-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
Posted Date: 2023-12-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 245 (Friday, December 22, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 88541-88544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28003]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 245 / Friday, December 22, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 88541]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2397; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00601-T]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the discovery that existing 
maintenance tasks do not detect the potential failure of the passenger 
door detent mechanism because there is no procedure for inspecting the 
passenger door locking mechanism. This proposed AD would require 
revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
require use of a certain aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) task during 
accomplishment of a specified maintenance check. 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 February 5, 
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: 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.
    Material for Incorporation by Reference: For service information 
identified in this AD, contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer 
Response Center, 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-2999; email 
bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website bombardier.com.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-2397; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 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 to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-2397; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00601-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 Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 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-2023-25, dated April 13, 2023 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2023-25) (also referred to after this as the MCAI), to 
correct an unsafe condition on certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-
1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states time limited 
maintenance check (TLMC) item 52-11-00-201, ``Passenger Door Mechanism 
Functional Test,'' does not detect potential failure of the passenger 
door detent mechanism. Associated aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) 
task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Passenger Door Mechanism Functional Test,'' 
does not provide a procedure for inspecting the passenger door locking 
mechanism.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address potential failures of the 
uninspected detents (external handle detent and torque tube detent) in 
combination with a failure of the tension pot spring assembly. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the main passenger 
door opening during unpressurized flight.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-2397.

[[Page 88542]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following documents.
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global Express Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 97, 
dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for Bombardier Global 
Express AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, use Document 
Identification No. GL 700 AMM.)
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 78, 
dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for Bombardier Global 
5000 AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, use Document 
Identification No. GL 5000 AMM.)
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 5000 GVFD AMM, 
Revision 45, dated March 30, 2023.
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global 5500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 5500 AMM, Revision 14, 
dated March 30, 2023.
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global 6000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6000 AMM, Revision 46, 
dated March 30, 2023.
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global 6500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6500 AMM, Revision 15, 
dated March 30, 2023.
     Task 52-11-00-720-801, Bombardier Global Express XRS 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 XRS AMM, 
Revision 75, dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for 
Bombardier Global Express XRS AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 XRS 
AMM, use Document Identification No. GL XRS AMM.)
    This service information specifies new inspection instructions for 
the passenger door detent mechanisms.
    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 ADDRESSES.

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 AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require the use of AMM Task 52-11-00-720-
801, dated August 16, 2022, during accomplishment of TLMC Item 52-11-
00-201. It also prohibits using AMM Task 52-11-00-720-801, dated 19 May 
2022 or earlier.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 482 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.

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-2023-2397; Project Identifier MCAI-
2023-00601-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by February 5, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers (S/
Ns) 9002 through 60065 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that existing maintenance 
tasks do not detect the potential failure of the passenger door 
detent mechanism because there is no procedure for inspecting the 
passenger door locking mechanism. The FAA is proposing

[[Page 88543]]

this AD to address potential failures of the uninspected detents 
(external handle detent and torque tube detent) in combination with 
a failure of the tension pot spring assembly. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in the main passenger door opening 
during unpressurized flight.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Task Restrictions

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to use 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Task 52-11-00-720-801, 
``Functional Test of the Passenger Door Mechanism,'' as specified in 
the applicable AMMs identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD, when performing time limited maintenance check item 52-11-00-
201.

                Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)--Bombardier AMM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Airplane model                       Bombardier AMM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BD-700-1A10.......................  Bombardier Global Express Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. BD-700 AMM,
                                     Revision 97, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A11.......................  Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. BD-700 AMM,
                                     Revision 78, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A11.......................  Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. GL 5000 GVFD AMM,
                                     Revision 45, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A11.......................  Bombardier Global 5500 Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. GL 5500 AMM,
                                     Revision 14, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A10.......................  Bombardier Global 6000 Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. GL 6000 AMM,
                                     Revision 46, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A10.......................  Bombardier Global 6500 Aircraft
                                     Maintenance Manual--Part Two,
                                     Publication No. GL 6500 AMM,
                                     Revision 15, dated March 30, 2023.
BD-700-1A10.......................  Bombardier Global Express XRS
                                     Aircraft Maintenance Manual--Part
                                     Two, Publication No. BD-700 XRS
                                     AMM, Revision 75, dated March 30,
                                     2023.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) AMM Revision Prohibition

    After revising the maintenance or inspection program as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, it is prohibited to use AMM Task 52-11-
00-720-801, dated May 19, 2022, or earlier.

(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, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-
[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

    (1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-25, dated April 13, 
2023, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found 
in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2397.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(k) 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.
    (i) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 
78, dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for Bombardier 
Global 5000 AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, use Document 
Identification No. GL 5000 AMM.)
    (ii) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global 5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 5000 GVFD AMM, 
Revision 45, dated March 30, 2023.
    (iii) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global 5500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 5500 AMM, Revision 
14, dated March 30, 2023.
    (iv) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global 6000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6000 AMM, Revision 
46, dated March 30, 2023.
    (v) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global 6500 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. GL 6500 AMM, Revision 
15, dated March 30, 2023.
    (vi) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global Express Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, Revision 
97, dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for Bombardier 
Global Express AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 AMM, use 
Document Identification No. GL 700 AMM.)
    (vii) Task 52-11-00-720-801, ``Functional Test of the Passenger 
Door Mechanism,'' of Part 2, Bombardier Global Express XRS Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual--Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 XRS AMM, 
Revision 75, dated March 30, 2023. (For obtaining the task for 
Bombardier Global Express XRS AMM, Part Two--Publication No. BD-700 
XRS AMM, use Document Identification No. GL XRS AMM.)
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 
C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 
telephone 514-855-2999; email bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; 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 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].

[[Page 88544]]

    Issued on December 14, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28003 Filed 12-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P