Proposed Rule2025-06367

Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

Primary source

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Published
April 15, 2025

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration

Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000). This proposed AD was prompted by an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) STAB TRIM Caution message that was posted, and subsequent repair that found prematurely worn teeth on a rubber bull gear (RBG) wheel in the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This proposed AD would require an inspection for part numbers and on-condition replacement of affected RBG wheels and prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 15, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15664-15667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06367]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0619; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00372-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), Model CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and 
CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000). This proposed AD was prompted 
by an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) STAB TRIM 
Caution message that was posted, and subsequent repair that found 
prematurely worn teeth on a rubber bull gear (RBG) wheel in the 
horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This proposed AD would 
require an inspection for part numbers and on-condition replacement of 
affected RBG wheels and prohibit the installation of affected parts 
under certain conditions, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which 
is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 May 30, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.

[[Page 15665]]

    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0619; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Transport Canada material identified in this proposed 
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#aefaed80efc7dcd9c1dcdac6c7c0cbddddeac7dccbcddac7d8cbdd83edc1c0ddc7c9c0cbddcacbc0cfd8c7c9cfccc7c2c7dacb80faedeedacd80c9cd80cdcf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="47130469062e35302835332f2e29223434032e352224332e3122346a042829342e2029223423222926312e2026252e2b2e3322691304073324692024692426">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the 
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. It is also 
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-0619.
    <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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e7deca869194ca899e868488ca848894a7818686c9808891"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="291004485f5a044750484a46044a465a694f4848074e465f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0619; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00372-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 this 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 
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, 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 
Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#487165293e3b652631292b27652b273b082e2929662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="390014584f4a145740585a56145a564a795f5858175e564f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 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-2024-25, dated June 28, 2024 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2024-25) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 
550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The 
MCAI states that an in-service event occurred where an EICAS STAB TRIM 
Caution message was posted. Following the occurrence, the HSTA was 
removed and returned to the vendor for repair. During repair, it was 
discovered that one of the two RBG wheels had worn teeth. Investigation 
revealed quality issues involving the machining and surface treatment 
of the HSTA RBG wheel had caused premature wear of the wheel teeth. 
Further investigation determined that this quality issue affects a 
limited number of RBG wheels and HSTA serial numbers. Wear of the RBG 
wheel teeth could cause a failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim 
system.
    The FAA is proposing 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-2025-0619.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 specifies procedures for a part 
number check and, if necessary, replacement of affected RBG wheels in 
certain HSTAs. Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 also prohibits the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. 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.

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 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 described previously, except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 by reference 
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require 
compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 in its entirety through 
that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions 
in the regulatory text of this

[[Page 15666]]

proposed AD. Material required by Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 for 
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2025-0619 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 460 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed 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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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85....  None..........................                $85                  $39,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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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30 work-hours x $85 per hour =                * $0  $2,550 (up to 32
 $2,550.                                             affected parts in
                                                     the fleet).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
  estimates for the on-condition parts specified in this proposed AD.

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this proposed 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

    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:

MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, 
Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2025-0619; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00372-
T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 30, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) 
airplanes.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes.
    (4) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.
    (5) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service event where an 
engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) STAB TRIM Caution 
message was posted, and subsequent repair found prematurely worn 
teeth on a rubber bull gear (RBG) wheel in the horizontal stabilizer 
trim actuator (HSTA). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
premature wear of the RBG wheel teeth. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in a failure of the horizontal stabilizer 
trim system.

(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, Transport Canada

[[Page 15667]]

AD CF-2024-25, dated June 28, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25).

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25 refers to ``Section 
1.A. of the applicable MHIRJ SB,'' this AD requires replacing that 
text with ``Section 1.A. of MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA-27-077, 
dated April 16, 2024.''

(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, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60212d2f23200601014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a3b3735393a1c1b1b541d150c">[email&#160;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 4a manufacturer, the instructions must 
be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or MHI 
RJ'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 Isabel Saltzman, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c15014d5a5f0142554d4f43014f435f6c4a4d4d024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1d8cc809792cc8f9880828ecc828e92a1878080cf868e97">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

(k) 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) Transport Canada AD CF-2024-25, dated June 28, 2024.
    (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#87d3c4a9c6eef5f0e8f5f3efeee9e2f4f4c3eef5e2e4f3eef1e2f4aac4e8e9f4eee0e9e2f4e3e2e9e6f1eee0e6e5eeebeef3e2a9d3c4c7f3e4a9e0e4a9e4e6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4216016c032b30352d30362a2b2c273131062b302721362b3427316f012d2c312b252c273126272c23342b2523202b2e2b36276c16010236216c25216c2123">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. You may find this 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#492f3b6720273a392c2a3d2026270927283b28672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccaabee2a5a2bfbca9afb8a5a3a28ca2adbeade2aba3ba">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on April 9, 2025.
Paul R. Bernado,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-06367 Filed 4-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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