10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 13:06
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Final rule.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that at various lavatory and galley locations within the airplane, incorrect terminal lugs were installed which are not compatible with the associated wire gauge. This AD requires removing and replacing existing lug terminals at various lavatory and galley locations, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This AD is effective October 15, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 15, 2024.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1289; 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 Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email [email protected] . You may find this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
• 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1289.
William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2024 (89 FR 37144). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF 2023-67) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that at lavatory and galley locations within the airplane, incorrect terminal lugs have been installed which are not compatible with the associated wire gauge.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing and replacing existing lug terminals at various lavatory and galley locations, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect terminal lugs that may become loose causing a loss of electromagnetic interference protection, which could result in false alarms of the lavatory smoke detectors, false alarms of low crew oxygen pressure, loss of automatic control of automatic cabin temperature control, and loss of lavatory flush. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in an increase in crew workload, including diversions and descent to below 10,000 feet or the lowest safe altitude.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1289.
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from an individual, who requested to be informed as to how the FAA will continue coordination between the FAA and Transport Canada to ensure the effectiveness of the AD, and to address any emerging issues related to the replacement of terminal lugs.
The FAA continuously evaluates operator and manufacturer reports and other data to promote safe type certification and production. Since this commenter did not ask for a change to the final rule, no change has been made to this AD in response to this request.
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, considered the comments received, 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.
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 specifies procedures for removing existing terminal lugs and installing new terminal lugs at lavatories A, C1, C2, C3, D2, D4, and E, and galleys G2A, G2G, and G4, including replacing the ground wires for new terminal lugs if the ground wire length is not sufficient; and installing the service bulletin incorporation placards.
This material 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.
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 66 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
Up to 81 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $6,885 | (*) | Up to $6,885 | Up to $454,410. |
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this AD. |
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.
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.
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.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2024-15-06 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22797; Docket No. FAA-2024-1289; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01049-T.
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 2024.
None.
This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (type certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67).
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings.
This AD was prompted by a report that at lavatory and galley locations within the airplane, incorrect terminal lugs have been installed which are not compatible with the associated wire gauge. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect terminal lugs that may become loose causing a loss of electromagnetic interference protection, which could result in false alarms of the lavatory smoke detectors, false alarms of low crew oxygen pressure, loss of automatic control of automatic cabin temperature control, and loss of lavatory flush. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in an increase in crew workload, including diversions and descent to below 10,000 feet or the lowest safe altitude.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67.
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67 refers to hours air time, this AD requires using flight hours.
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) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [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 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
For more information about this AD, contact William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67, dated October 4, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-67, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email [email protected]. You may find this Transport Canada AD on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
(4) 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.
(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].