Rule2025-00146
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 8, 2025
Effective
February 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a torn bulkhead seal found jamming the nose landing gear (NLG) emergency cable pulley. Due to the similarity of design, the main landing gear (MLG) emergency cable pulley could be exposed to the same failure mode. This AD requires repetitive inspections and corrective actions for damage of affected bulkhead seals and retainer rings, and repetitive replacement of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1359-1361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00146]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2024; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00140-T;
Amendment 39-22907; AD 2024-25-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a torn bulkhead seal found jamming
the nose landing gear (NLG) emergency cable pulley. Due to the
similarity of design, the main landing gear (MLG) emergency cable
pulley could be exposed to the same failure mode. This AD requires
repetitive inspections and corrective actions for damage of affected
bulkhead seals and retainer rings, and repetitive replacement of
affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 12, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 12,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2024; 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:
<bullet> For EASA material identified for this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87c6c3f4c7e2e6f4e6a9e2f2f5e8f7e6a9e2f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1554516655707466743b7060677a65743b7060">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 206-231-3220; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b78636a63796a66256f6a656e7863666a656f624b6d6a6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff8c979e978d9e92d19b9e919a8c97929e919b96bf999e9ed1989089">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 Airbus Defense and
Space S.A. (formerly known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model
CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 20, 2024 (89 FR 67332). The NPRM was
prompted by AD 2024-0054, dated February 26, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0054)
(also referred to as the MCAI) issued by the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union.
[[Page 1360]]
The MCAI states a torn bulkhead seal was found jamming the NLG
emergency cable pulley. Due to the similarity of design, the MLG
emergency cable pulley could be exposed to the same failure mode.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive inspections and
corrective actions for damage of affected bulkhead seals and retainer
rings, and repetitive replacement of affected parts, as specified in
EASA AD 2024-0054. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a jammed
emergency cable pulley, which could prevent the emergency extension of
the landing gears when required, causing damage to the airplane and
possible injury to occupants.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2024.
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0054 specifies procedures for repetitive general
visual inspections for any type of damage of the bulkhead seals and the
retainer rings, and, depending on findings, replacement. EASA AD 2024-
0054 also requires repetitive replacement of affected parts. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $365 per replacement Up to $960 per Up to $9,600 per
$595 per inspection/replacement cycle. inspection/replacement inspection/replacement
cycle. cycle. cycle.
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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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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170 $365 $535
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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
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
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:
2024-25-05 Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.): Amendment 39-
[[Page 1361]]
22907; Docket No. FAA-2024-2024; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00140-
T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly
known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-
200, and CN-235-300 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a torn bulkhead seal found jamming the
nose landing gear emergency cable pulley. Due to the similarity of
design, the main landing gear emergency cable pulley could be
exposed to the same failure mode. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address this potential unsafe condition, which could prevent the
emergency extension of the landing gears when required, causing
damage to the airplane and possible injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0054, dated February 26, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0054).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0054
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0054 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph 3.1.1 of the Alert Operators Transmission
(AOT) specified in EASA AD 2024-0054, states ``each year (1 Year
between 8 and 10 Years since component installation) since the
inspection,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``within one
year after the last inspection''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0054.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0054 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82c3cfcdc1c2e4e3e3ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3b2bebcb0b3959292dd949c85">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 EASA; or Airbus Defense and Space S.A.'s
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3220; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2918a838a90838fcc86838c87918a8f838c868ba2848383cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63100b020b11020e4d07020d06100b0e020d070a230502024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0054,
dated February 26, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c3d380f3c191d0f1d5219090e130c1d521909"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0445407744616577652a6171766b74652a6171">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3d5c19ddaddc0c3d6d0c7dadcddf3ddd2c1d29dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fc9a8ed295928f8c999f88959392bc929d8e9dd29b938a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 4, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00146 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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