DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0691; Product Identifier 2020-NM-064-AD; Amendment
39-21377; AD 2021-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate
Previously Held by 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100
& 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by evidence that a revised
structural life limit of some components of the nose landing gear (NLG)
and/or main landing gear (MLG) was not implemented during repair. This
AD requires verifying that the affected components are installed on the
airplane, revising the structural life limits in the existing
structural deviation inspection requirements (SDIR) airplane document,
and replacing affected components if necessary. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact MHI RJ Aviation ULC, 12655 Henri-Fabre Blvd., Mirabel, Quebec J7N
1E1, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-free
telephone +1-844-272-2720 or direct-dial telephone +1-514-855-8500; fax
+1-514-855-8501; email thd.crj@mhirj.com; internet https://mhirj.com.
You may view this service information 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0691.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0691; 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, 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7330; fax 516-
794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2020-09, dated April 7,
2020 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0691.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain MHI RJ Aviation
ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2020 (85 FR
62626). The NPRM was prompted by evidence that a revised structural
life limit of some components of the NLG and/or MLG was not implemented
during repair. The NPRM proposed to require verifying that the affected
components are installed on the airplane, revising the structural life
limits in the existing SDIR airplane document, and replacing affected
components if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
structural life limits that are lower than the life limit published in
the Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM), Part 2. This condition, if
not corrected, could lead to the collapse of the affected NLG and/or
MLG, possibly resulting in airplane damage and injury to the occupants.
See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) stated that
it supports the NPRM.

Additional Change Made to This AD

This AD has been revised to provide the revised structural life
limits in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD instead of referencing
the individual repair engineering orders (REOs) in paragraph (h) of
this AD. The REOs did not meet the Office of the Federal Register's
criteria for incorporation by reference.

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 with the changes described previously
and 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.

The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 601R-32-112, dated November
11, 2019. This service information describes procedures for verifying
that affected components are installed on the airplane, revising the
structural life limits in the existing SDIR airplane document, and
replacing affected parts if necessary. 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 456 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

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.

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: