Rule2025-05294
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) 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
March 28, 2025
Effective
May 2, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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 design review that found insufficient clearance between fire extinguishing system (FIREX) lines and certain fasteners in the center mid-fuselage area. This AD requires an inspection for positioning and sufficient clearance of certain fasteners in certain fuselage and keel beam areas, an inspection for damage of the fire extinguishing lines, and applicable corrective actions, 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 59 (Friday, March 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 59 (Friday, March 28, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14017-14019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05294]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 59 / Friday, March 28, 2025 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 14017]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2019; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00909-T;
Amendment 39-22994; AD 2025-06-06]
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), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: 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 design review that found
insufficient clearance between fire extinguishing system (FIREX) lines
and certain fasteners in the center mid-fuselage area. This AD requires
an inspection for positioning and sufficient clearance of certain
fasteners in certain fuselage and keel beam areas, an inspection for
damage of the fire extinguishing lines, and applicable corrective
actions, 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.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2019; 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 Transport Canada material identified in this AD,
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada;
telephone 888-663-3639; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3e7f09df2dac1c4dcc1c7dbdaddd6c0c0f7dac1d6d0c7dac5d6c09ef0dcddc0dad4ddd6c0d7d6ddd2c5dad4d2d1dadfdac7d69de7f0f3c7d09dd4d09dd0d2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92c6d1bcd3fbe0e5fde0e6fafbfcf7e1e1d6fbe0f7f1e6fbe4f7e1bfd1fdfce1fbf5fcf7e1f6f7fcf3e4fbf5f3f0fbfefbe6f7bcc6d1d2e6f1bcf5f1bcf1f3">[email protected]</span></a>. You may view this material on the
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
<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-2024-2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yaser Osman, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-228-
7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5b62763a2d287635223a3834763834281b3d3a3a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="330a1e5245401e5d4a52505c1e505c40735552521d545c45">[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 certain Airbus Canada
Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2024 (89 FR
67910). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-58, dated July 25, 2023
(Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued
by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The
MCAI states that a design review found insufficient clearance between
FIREX lines and the nuts of the Hi-Lite fasteners in the center mid-
fuselage in locations where the fastener nut is on the same side as the
FIREX lines. Fouling between the FIREX lines and the Hi-Lite fasteners
could lead to a rupture of the line. This would result in a dormant
failure of the cargo compartment fire extinguishing system, preventing
the system from being available in the event of a cargo compartment
fire.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for
positioning and sufficient clearance of certain fasteners in certain
fuselage and keel beam areas, an inspection for damage of the fire
extinguishing lines, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2019.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Delta Air Lines (Delta).
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Delete Grace Period
Delta pointed out that with the revisions in paragraphs (h)(1) and
(2) of the proposed AD providing up to 24 months after the effective
date of the AD, paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of the proposed AD becomes moot.
The FAA disagrees. The compliance time stated in Transport Canada
AD CF-2023-58 is within 24 months after the effective date of Transport
Canada AD CF-2023-58 or 17,000 total accumulated flight hours since
new, whichever occurs first. There is a chance that an airplane could
reach 17,000 total flight hours before the effective date of this AD or
soon after. In that case, the 90 days stated in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of
this AD provide a grace period to comply with the requirements of this
AD without grounding the airplane. The FAA has not revised this AD as a
result of this comment.
Request To Correct Part Numbers
Delta requested an additional sub-paragraph to paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD to provide corrections for incorrect part numbers
referenced in a service bulletin.
The FAA agrees that there are typographical errors for certain
items
[[Page 14018]]
identified in Sheets 5 and 7 in Figure 2 of the Airbus Canada Service
Bulletin BD500-534006, Issue 003, dated March 20, 2024, and that those
errors can create a challenge for an operator trying to comply with the
accomplishment instructions. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(4) of this
AD to address these typographical errors.
Request for Revised Corrective Action
Delta requested an additional exception to address an error in a
corrective procedure's steps and references. Delta requested that the
erroneous procedure be replaced by a requirement for operators to
contact the manufacturer for repair instructions. Delta explained that
using the corrective action procedure as detailed in the service
information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58 would result
in an unfilled countersink on the previous head side of the
installation. Delta further explained that this is not a condition
expected by the aircraft structural repair publication (ASRP) sections
referenced for fastener installation. Delta said it contacted Airbus
Canada for further information and was told there is no standard repair
for that situation and it would need to be addressed on a case-by-case
basis.
The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern and agrees that the
commenter will have to contact the manufacturer to obtain instructions
for their airplanes. However, the FAA does not consider it appropriate
to include provisions in an AD applicable only to an individual
airplane or configuration. Once this AD is published, any person may
request approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under
the provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. The FAA has not changed
this AD in this regard.
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, 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, and any other changes described previously, 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
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58 specifies procedures for a general
visual inspection for positioning and sufficient clearance of Hi-Lite
fasteners in certain fuselage and keel beam areas, an inspection for
damage (includes rupturing, cracking, or denting) of the FIREX lines,
and applicable corrective actions (including fastener replacement,
changing the direction of the fastener, oversizing the fastener, and
repair of the FIREX lines). 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 will affect 50 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 33 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 Up to $2,805.......... Up to $140,250.
= $2,805.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 13 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,105.... $2,000 Up to $3,105.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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:
[[Page 14019]]
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:
2025-06-06 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP);
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22994; Docket No. FAA-2024-2019;
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00909-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 2, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
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-2023-58, dated July 25, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-58).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
Protection; 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a design review that found insufficient
clearance between fire extinguishing system (FIREX) lines and
certain fasteners in the center mid-fuselage area. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address fouling between the FIREX lines and the
fasteners, which could lead to a rupture of the line. This would
result in a dormant failure of the cargo compartment fire
extinguishing system. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in loss of fire extinguishing capability during a cargo
compartment fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
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-2023-58.
(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58 refers to hours air
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
(3) Where the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Transport Canada AD
CF-2023-58 specifies the compliance time to accomplish the actions,
for this AD, the compliance time is at the applicable time specified
in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii), whichever occurs later.
(i) Within the time specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58.
(ii) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) The figures of the service information referenced in
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-58 include certain incorrect bolt
numbers; paragraphs (h)(4)(i) through (v) of this AD provide
applicable corrections.
(i) ``HST110AG6'' should be ``HST110AG6-5'' instead.
(ii) ``HST111AG6'' should be ``HST111AG6-5'' instead.
(iii) ``HST410AG6'' should be ``HST410AG6-5'' instead.
(iv) ``HST411AG6'' should be ``HST411AG6-5'' instead.
(v) ``0206003AG6-5'' should be ``B0206003AG6-5'' instead.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, mail it to the address
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abeae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f3e32303c3f191e1e51181009">[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, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Yaser Osman,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a33276b7c792764736b6965276965794a6c6b6b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="794054180f0a541700181a16541a160a391f1818571e160f">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(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-2023-58, dated July 25, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification,
159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-
663-3639; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9edfa97f8d0cbced6cbcdd1d0d7dccacafdd0cbdcdacdd0cfdcca94fad6d7cad0ded7dccadddcd7d8cfd0ded8dbd0d5d0cddc97edfaf9cdda97deda97dad8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d697e137c544f4a524f49555453584e4e79544f585e49544b584e107e52534e545a53584e5958535c4b545a5c5f545154495813697e7d495e135a5e135e5c">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this Transport
Canada material 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 <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#9ef8ecb0f7f0edeefbfdeaf7f1f0def0ffecffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a7c68347374696a7f796e7375745a747b687b347d756c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 13, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05294 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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