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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0031; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01307-T;
Amendment 39-22729; AD 2024-07-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate
Previously Held by 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 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); and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900)
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a potential
crack of the tombstone fitting lug cannot be detected as the bushings
remain in place during accomplishment of the special detailed
inspection (SDI) required by a certain airworthiness limitation (ALI)
task. This AD requires inspecting the tombstone fitting lug with a new
SDI sub-surface ultrasound procedure when accomplishing the ALI task,
as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by
reference. This AD also requires corrective actions if necessary. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 5, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 5,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0031; 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:
For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-
3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca;
website tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
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 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0031.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yaser Osman, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-
228-7300; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
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 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); and
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on January 16, 2024 (89 FR 2517). The NPRM was
prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-54R1, dated October 4, 2022,
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-54R1) (also referred to as the MCAI).
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-54R1 superseded Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-54, dated September 13, 2022, to correct a reference to an
incorrect maintenance requirements manual number. The MCAI states that
MHI RJ discovered that the MHI RJ Non-Destructive Testing Manual (NDTM)
Part 6, Procedure 53-61-121-250, associated with ALI Task 53-61-121, is
not adequate to detect a potential crack of the tombstone fitting lug
before the critical crack size is reached as the bushings remain in
place during the SDI. Transport Canada AD CF-2022-54R1 mandates the use
of new ultrasonic MHI RJ NDTM Part 4, Procedure 53-61-121-270, in
conjunction with NDTM Part 6, Procedure 53-61-121-250, during
accomplishment of the SDIs required by ALI Task 53-61-121.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the tombstone
fitting lug with a new SDI sub-surface ultrasound procedure when
accomplishing the ALI task, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-54R1. The NPRM also proposed to require corrective actions
(repairing cracks) if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the undetected cracking of the tombstone fitting lug. If the crack is
not detected, the tombstone fitting lug will eventually fail. The
failure will cause a transfer of load to other engine attachment
points, which will then be overloaded and compromised in their
structural integrity. This can lead to a rapid failure mode,
potentially resulting in the loss of the engine.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0031.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
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 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, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any
operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-54R1 specifies procedures for
accomplishing a special detailed inspection for cracks of the engine
forward support frame's tombstone top and bottom fitting lugs at frame
fuselage station (FS) 1051.30, during the accomplishment of the SDIs
required by ALI Task 53-61-121. 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 597 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 (per
interval) |
Cost on U.S. operators (per
interval) |
| 2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 (per interval) |
$0
|
$170
|
$101,490
|
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs 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.
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
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:
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