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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0119; Product Identifier 2018-NM-156-AD; Amendment
39-19663; AD 2019-12-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705),
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet
Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain
aft fuselage fittings are susceptible to cracking because they were not
manufactured correctly. This AD requires replacement of those fittings
with correctly manufactured parts, an eddy current inspection of
certain fastener holes for cracking, and corrective actions if
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 12, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 12,
2019.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Cote-Vertu Road West, Dorval,
Quebec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North
America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-
514-855-2999; fax 514-855-7401; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com;
internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards 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 on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2019-0119.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0119; 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 regulatory evaluation, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA,
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York
11590; telephone: 516-287-7329; fax: 516-794-5531; email:
Aziz.Ahmed@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
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 CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24
(Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000)
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2019
(84 FR 8832). The NPRM was prompted by reports that certain aft
fuselage fittings are susceptible to cracking because they were not
manufactured correctly. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of
those fittings with correctly manufactured parts, an eddy current
inspection of certain fastener holes for cracking, and corrective
actions if necessary.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of undetected
cracks developing in the aft fuselage fittings due to the absence of
heat treatment, which could lead to aircraft structural failure.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2018-25, dated October
3, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model 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:
Bombardier Aerospace (BA) has informed Transport Canada that a
batch of AFT fuselage fittings were not heat treated to the required
material specification. Due to the absence of heat treatment for
those parts, the affected AFT fuselage fittings have very low
mechanical properties and there is a possibility for undetected
cracks to develop as a result of mooring operations, which could
lead to aircraft structural failure.
This [Canadian] AD mandates the removal and replacement of the
affected AFT fuselage fittings.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0119.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. The commenter indicated support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-53-056, dated February
11, 2016. This service information describes, among other actions,
procedures for removal and replacement of the aft fuselage fittings,
and an eddy current inspection of certain fastener holes for cracking.
This service information 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 12 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
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Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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Cost on
U.S. operators
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| 5 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$425 |
(*)
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$425 *
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$5,100 *
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* Parts cost unavailable.
The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to
provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this
AD.
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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
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.
Adoption of 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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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