[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 91 (Monday, May 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27670-27673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09946]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0349; Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD; Amendment
39-19906; AD 2020-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
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), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-25-
04, which applied to certain C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership
(CSALP) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2018-25-04
required repetitive inspections for any dislodged blow-out panel in the
forward and aft cargo compartments, reporting of the inspection
findings, and reinstallation if necessary. This new AD continues to
require repetitive inspections, with a revised inspection interval, for
affected panels that have not been replaced. This new AD also requires
the replacement of affected blow-out panels with redesigned panels,
which terminates the inspection requirement. This new AD also revises
the applicability by removing certain airplanes. This AD was prompted
by reports of dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26,
2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of January
14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018).
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 25, 2020.
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard,
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec, J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676; email
[email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com. You may view
this referenced 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0349.
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-2020-
0349; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations office is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer,
Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section, FAA, New York ACO
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 27671]]
Discussion
The FAA issued AD 2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397,
December 10, 2018) (``AD 2018-25-04''), which applied to certain C
Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-
500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2018-25-04 was prompted by reports of dislodged
cargo compartment blow-out panels. AD 2018-25-04 required repetitive
inspections for any dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft
cargo compartments, reporting of the inspection findings, and
reinstallation if necessary. The FAA issued AD 2018-25-04 to address
dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels, which could result in
openings in the forward and aft cargo compartments. In the event of a
cargo compartment fire, these unintended openings in the forward and
aft cargo compartments would provide a path for smoke, fire, and Halon
to enter the adjacent equipment bays, flight deck, and passenger cabin,
which could delay smoke detection in the forward and aft cargo
compartments and result in the forward and aft cargo compartments not
being able to maintain the Halon concentration required for fire
suppression. The cargo compartment fire may become uncontrollable if
this condition is not addressed, which could result in the loss of
controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2018-25-04 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2018-25-04, the forward and aft cargo
compartment sidewall and bulkhead panels have been redesigned to
decrease the likelihood of cargo compartment blow-out panel
dislodgement events due to baggage impact. This AD mandates
incorporation of this redesign as terminating action to the
requirements of AD 2018-25-04, and limits its applicability to
airplanes that have not incorporated this redesign in production. This
AD also extends the repeat cargo compartment blow-out panel inspection
interval to reflect in-service findings. This AD also removes the
requirement to report inspection findings.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2018-15R1, dated
January 3, 2020 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-
1A10 and BD-500-1A11 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-2020-0349.
This AD was prompted by reports of dislodged cargo compartment
blow-out panels. The FAA is issuing this AD to address dislodged cargo
compartment blow-out panels, which could, in the event of a cargo
compartment fire, result in the loss of controllability of the
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued A220 Service Bulletin
BD500-500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019. This service
information describes procedures for removing sidewall and bulkhead
panel assemblies from the forward and aft cargo compartments, and
installing new sidewall and bulkhead panel assemblies and placards.
This AD also requires the following service information, which the
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference on January 14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018.)
C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-
521A-A, ``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic
configuration,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-
310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo compartment blow-out panels--Visual
check,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
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 and Requirements of This AD
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 issuing this AD
because the FAA evaluated all pertinent information and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Clarification of Affected Airplanes
Although Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and
BD-500-1A11 airplanes are on the U.S. Register, currently no airplanes
operating in the U.S. are equipped with blow-out panel part number
D762213-503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product
with affected parts, notice and opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are unnecessary. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary.
In addition, for the reason(s) stated above, the FAA finds that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and the FAA did not precede it by notice and opportunity for
public comment. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data,
views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0349;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this AD.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply with
this AD:
[[Page 27672]]
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Retained actions from AD 2018-25-04........... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85
New actions................................... 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = 62,561 63,241
$680.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... $0 $170
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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 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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of 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
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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018), and
adding the following new AD:
2020-09-10 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate
previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP);
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-19906; Docket No. FAA-2020-0349;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-027-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective May 26, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2018-25-04, Amendment 39-19515 (83 FR 63397,
December 10, 2018) (``AD 2018-25-04'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type
Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes, certificated in any category,
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50001 through
50017 inclusive, equipped with blow-out panel part number D762213-
503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.
(2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55001 through
55044 inclusive, equipped with blow-out panel part number D762213-
503, D762216-505, or D762209-503.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 50, Cargo and
accessory compartment.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of dislodged cargo compartment
blow-out panels. This AD was also prompted by a panel redesign that
decreases the likelihood of dislodgement due to baggage impact, and
by the determination that the repetitive inspection interval may be
extended, based on in-service findings. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address dislodged cargo compartment blow-out panels, which could
result in openings in the forward and aft cargo compartments. In the
event of a cargo compartment fire, these unintended openings in the
forward and aft cargo compartments would provide a path for smoke,
fire, and Halon to enter the adjacent equipment bays, flight deck,
and passenger cabin, which could delay smoke detection in the
forward and aft cargo compartments and result in the forward and aft
cargo compartments not being able to maintain the Halon
concentration required for fire suppression. The cargo compartment
fire may become uncontrollable if this condition is not addressed,
which could result in the loss of controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Repetitive Inspections of the Forward and Aft Cargo
Compartment Blow-Out Panels and Re-Installation, With Revised
Repetitive Inspection Interval
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2018-25-04, with a revised repetitive inspection interval. Within 7
days or 50 flight cycles, whichever occurs first, after January 14,
2019 (the effective date of AD 2018-25-04): Do a detailed inspection
for any dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft cargo
compartments, in accordance with C Series (Bombardier) Data
[[Page 27673]]
Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo
compartment blow-out panels--Visual check,'' Issue 002, dated May
16, 2018. Re-install all dislodged forward and aft cargo compartment
blow-out panels before further flight, in accordance with C Series
(Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-521A-A,
``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic configuration,''
Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018. Thereafter, at intervals not to
exceed 200 flight cycles, repeat the detailed inspection for any
dislodged blow-out panel in the forward and aft cargo compartments.
(h) New Requirement of This AD: Blow-Out Panel Replacement
Within 9,350 flight hours or 56 months, whichever occurs first,
after the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate
or date of issuance of the original export certificate of
airworthiness: Install new, redesigned sidewall and bulkhead panel
assemblies in the forward and aft cargo compartments, in accordance
with Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin BD500-
500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although reporting was required in AD 2018-25-04, this AD does
not include that requirement.
(j) New Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections
Modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (h) of this
AD constitutes terminating action for the initial and repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using Bombardier C Series Service Bulletin BD500-
500001, Issue 001, dated February 18, 2019.
(l) 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 local Flight Standards District 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
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
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 Airbus
Canada Limited Partnership's TCCA Design Approval Organization
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2018-15R1, dated January 3, 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-2020-0349.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto,
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Admin Services Section,
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury,
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (n)(5) and (6) of this AD.
(n) 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
May 26, 2020.
(i) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership A220 Service Bulletin
BD500-500001, Issue 002, dated October 28, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
January 14, 2019 (83 FR 63397, December 10, 2018).
(i) C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-00AAA-
521A-A, ``Decompression panels dislodging--Return to basic
configuration,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
(ii) C Series (Bombardier) Data Module BD500-A-J50-10-01-01AAA-
310B-A, ``Forward and aft cargo compartment blow-out panels--Visual
check,'' Issue 002, dated May 16, 2018.
(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard,
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec, J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676;
email [email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com.
(6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195.
(7) 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 [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on April 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09946 Filed 5-8-20; 8:45 am]
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