Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of low clearance in the right wing between the fuel line flexible coupling and the harness support bracket clip-nut, between the fuel line flexible coupling and hydraulic system, and between the hydraulic system and fuel vent tube. This AD requires rectifying the low clearance condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the harness support bracket clip-nut, rectifying the low clearance condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the hydraulic system, and doing an inspection for adequate clearance between the hydraulic system and the fuel vent tube and applicable on-conditions actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 197 (Wednesday, October 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 14, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65100-65103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2289; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01592-T; 
Amendment 39-23482; AD 2026-20-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by

[[Page 65101]]

reports of low clearance in the right wing between the fuel line 
flexible coupling and the harness support bracket clip-nut, between the 
fuel line flexible coupling and hydraulic system, and between the 
hydraulic system and fuel vent tube. This AD requires rectifying the 
low clearance condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the 
harness support bracket clip-nut, rectifying the low clearance 
condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the hydraulic 
system, and doing an inspection for adequate clearance between the 
hydraulic system and the fuel vent tube and applicable on-conditions 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 18, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 18, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2289; 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#cd998ee38ca4bfbaa2bfb9a5a4a3a8bebe89a4bfa8aeb9a4bba8bee08ea2a3bea4aaa3a8bea9a8a3acbba4aaacafa4a1a4b9a8e3998e8db9aee3aaaee3aeac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="57031479163e25203825233f3e39322424133e253234233e2132247a143839243e3039322433323936213e3036353e3b3e2332790314172334793034793436">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. You may find 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-2026-2289.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 516-228-7300; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f36226e797c2261766e6c60226c607c4f696e6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="70495d1106035d1e0911131f5d131f03301611115e171f06">[email&#160;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 Bombardier, 
Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on March 4, 2026 (91 FR 10522). The NPRM was prompted 
by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49, dated October 1, 2025 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-49) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI 
states there have been reports of low clearance in the right wing 
between the fuel line flexible coupling and the harness support bracket 
clip-nut located in bay 3, between the fuel line flexible coupling and 
hydraulic system 3 line located in bay 18, and between the hydraulic 
system 3 lines and fuel vent tube located in bay 20. These low 
clearance conditions, if not addressed, may result in an ignition 
source developing in the fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require rectifying the low 
clearance condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the 
harness support bracket clip-nut, rectifying the low clearance 
condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and the hydraulic 
system, and doing an inspection for adequate clearance between the 
hydraulic system and the fuel vent tube and applicable on-conditions 
actions, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49. 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-2026-2289.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from five individuals who supported the 
NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from two other individuals. 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Clarify Why an Emergency AD Was Not Issued

    Commenter #1 requested that the FAA clarify its determination that 
the unsafe condition does not meet the criteria for an emergency AD, 
given the potential interaction between fuel transfer systems, 
vibration-induced wear, and adjacent hydraulic and electrical 
components within the affected wing structure. Additionally, the 
commenter asked (1) if the low clearance condition could contribute to 
fuel starvation scenarios under certain operational conditions; (2) if 
interim inspections, operational limitations, or manufacturer service 
bulletins should be implemented while the rulemaking process proceeds; 
(3) if a shortened compliance period or immediate corrective action 
would better mitigate the identified risk; (4) if additional technical 
analysis regarding system interaction between fuel, hydraulic, and 
electrical components should be included in the final rulemaking 
record.
    The FAA issues an emergency AD when an unsafe condition exists that 
requires immediate adoption, and the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adopting an emergency 
AD. In developing this rulemaking, the FAA evaluated the compliance 
times and all the available information provided by Transport Canada 
and the manufacturer. The FAA has no additional data that would support 
reducing the compliance time below that specified in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2025-49, or issuing an emergency AD to address the unsafe 
condition.
    Further, the FAA provides the following additional information:
    (1) The low clearance condition would not contribute to fuel 
starvation. There is no potential fouling condition of the fuel vent 
line and, therefore, no effect on the fuel system operation.
    (2) The corrective actions and compliance times in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2025-49 are adequate for addressing the unsafe condition. 
Therefore, no interim actions, operational limitations, or additional 
service bulletins need to be mandated. However, operators are permitted 
to accomplish the requirements of this AD at an earlier time, or may 
voluntarily adopt service information, operational limitations, or 
additional inspections to address the unsafe condition.
    (3) Neither a shorter compliance time nor immediate corrective 
action are necessary to address the unsafe condition. Based on the risk 
evaluation conducted by the manufacturer, the corrective actions and 
compliance times in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 are sufficient for 
mitigating the identified risk.
    (4) There is no system failure associated with this unsafe 
condition; therefore, no technical analysis regarding system 
interaction between the fuel, hydraulic, and electrical components 
needs to be included in the rulemaking docket.

[[Page 65102]]

Request To Reopen the Comment Period or Revise the Proposed AD

    Commenter #2 requested that the FAA either (1) re-open the comment 
period and add to the AD docket all materials incorporated by reference 
and the basis for the cost assumptions and warranty offset, or (2) 
revise the proposed AD to add the operative standard and un-offset cost 
estimate. The commenter stated that the FAA did not provide adequate 
information for the public to meaningfully evaluate and comment on the 
proposed requirements and costs of compliance. The commenter further 
stated if the FAA cannot provide these elements, the proposed AD cannot 
be evaluated for comment or supported as a matter of reasoned decision-
making and should be withdrawn and reissued with a complete record.
    The FAA disagrees with the requests. The FAA provides summaries and 
access details in the preamble and regulatory text, makes materials 
available for inspection at FAA and National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) offices, offers publisher contact information, 
and obtains formal incorporation by reference (IBR) approval from the 
Office of the Federal Register. These efforts are intended to ensure 
that all IBR materials meet the ``reasonably available'' standard 
required by 1 CFR part 51. The FAA did not change this AD as a result 
of this comment.
    Further, the FAA notes that this AD incorporates by reference 
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49, not the manufacturer service 
information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 (i.e., non-IBR 
material). The FAA posted Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 to the AD 
docket when the NPRM was published in the Federal Register. The non-IBR 
material may only be posted before the final rule's publication if it 
is already publicly available or if there is written consent from the 
owner of that material. Additionally, affected operators that must 
comply with the AD may obtain the non-IBR material directly from the 
manufacturer during the comment period through their normal course of 
business.
    Further, the FAA based the estimated Costs of Compliance with this 
AD on information provided by the manufacturer. The number of estimated 
work hours and warranty terms are included in the manufacturer service 
bulletin, which is posted to the rulemaking docket upon publication of 
the final rule. The estimated parts cost was provided by the 
manufacturer. The FAA notes that no comments were received regarding 
the IBR material or estimated costs from any of the affected operators.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any 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 these products. 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

    Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 specifies procedures for rectifying 
the low clearance condition between the fuel line flexible coupling and 
the harness support bracket clip-nut located in bay 3 of the right wing 
by replacing the clip-nut on the harness bracket in the right-hand wing 
between rib 3 and rib 4, rectifying the low clearance condition between 
the fuel line flexible coupling and the hydraulic system 3 line located 
in bay 18 of the right wing by replacing fuel tube assemblies in the 
right-hand wing between rib 17 and rib 20, doing an inspection for 
adequate clearance between the hydraulic system 3 lines and the fuel 
vent tube located in bay 20 of the right wing, and applicable on-
conditions actions. On-condition actions include rectifying any low 
clearance condition found (i.e., replace the hydraulic system support 
brackets in the right-hand wing between rib 19 and rib 21).
    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 60 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765...........................          $1,928           $2,693         $161,580
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* Includes the replacement of the clip-nut, replacement of the fuel tube assemblies, and inspection for adequate
  clearance between the hydraulic system 3 lines and the fuel vent tube.

    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 *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
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14 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,190.          $4,582           $5,772
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* Replacement of the hydraulic system support brackets.

    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.

[[Page 65103]]

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:

2026-20-09 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-23482; Docket No. FAA-
2026-2289; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01592-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 18, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-49, dated October 1, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-49).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of low clearance in the right 
wing between the fuel line flexible coupling and the harness support 
bracket clip-nut located in bay 3, between the fuel line flexible 
coupling and hydraulic system 3 line located in bay 18, and between 
the hydraulic system 3 lines and fuel vent tube located in bay 20. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address low clearance conditions. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an ignition 
source developing in the fuel tank in the event of a lightning 
strike.

(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 AD CF-2025-49.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
49 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, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c88985878b88aea9a9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abeae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd">[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 a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bombardier, Inc.'s 
Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by 
the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Catanzaro, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#af9682ced9dc82c1d6ceccc082ccc0dcefc9cece81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="477e6a2631346a293e2624286a2428340721262669202831">[email&#160;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) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49, dated October 1, 2025.
    (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#ecb8afc2ad859e9b839e98848582899f9fa8859e898f98859a899fc1af83829f858b82899f8889828d9a858b8d8e8580859889c2b8afac988fc28b8fc28f8d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4f0e78ae5cdd6d3cbd6d0cccdcac1d7d7e0cdd6c1c7d0cdd2c1d789e7cbcad7cdc3cac1d7c0c1cac5d2cdc3c5c6cdc8cdd0c18af0e7e4d0c78ac3c78ac7c5">[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#a8ceda86c1c6dbd8cdcbdcc1c7c6e8c6c9dac986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1c7d38fc8cfd2d1c4c2d5c8cecfe1cfc0d3c08fc6ced7">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on September 25, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21010 Filed 10-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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