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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-2402; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00370-T;
Amendment 39-22731; AD 2024-07-10]
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 CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a new filter plate
connector for the nose wheel steering (NWS) system electronic control
module (ECM) does not meet certain certification requirements. This AD
requires replacing all affected ECMs. This AD also prohibits the
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 6, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 6, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2402; 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 service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bombardier Business Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400
Cote-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Quebec H4S 1Y9, Canada;
telephone 514-855-2999; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website
bombardier.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 at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2402.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Dzierzynski, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 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 Bombardier,
Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2023 (88 FR
89633). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2023-14R1, dated May 15, 2023
(Transport Canada AD CF-2023-14R1) (referred to after this as the
MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for
Canada. The MCAI states that the manufacturer of the NWS system ECM,
part number (P/N) 601-86100-27, introduced a new filter plate connector
that does not meet the certification requirements related to the
susceptibility of electronic components to high intensity radiated
field. This non-compliant filter plate connector, if not replaced,
could result in a malfunction of the NWS system causing potential un-
commanded steering or lateral excursion from the runway.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing all affected
non-compliant ECMs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2402.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from two commenters, Bombardier and
NetJets. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.
Request to Provide a Figure Title
Both Bombardier and NetJets requested that a title be provided for
the figure referenced in paragraph (g) of the NPRM because the title is
missing.
The FAA agrees. The title ``Figure 1 to the introductory text of
paragraph (g)--Applicable Bombardier Service Bulletins'' has been added
to the referenced figure.
Request To Change the Applicability
Bombardier also requested that the Applicability of the proposed AD
be changed. Bombardier noted that Model 601-3A and 601-3R variants are
not impacted by this issue and should not be subject to this AD.
The FAA agrees. The Applicability of this AD has been changed
accordingly.
Request for Clarification of Service Information Effectivity
NetJets noted that Bombardier Service Bulletin 650-32-006 is
effective only for serial numbers 6050 through 6171. NetJets requested
that the proposed AD be revised to provide direction for airplane
serial numbers outside that range.
The FAA does not agree to revise this AD but will clarify.
Bombardier has confirmed that all instructions in Service Bulletin 650-
32-006 can be accomplished on serial numbers 6172 and subsequent.
Because the affected ECMs are rotable parts, the FAA has determined
that these parts could later be installed on airplanes that were
initially delivered with acceptable ECMs, thereby subjecting those
airplanes to the unsafe condition. The FAA has not changed this AD as
a
result of this comment.
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, considered the
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 this product. Except for minor editorial
changes, and any other changes described previously, 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
The FAA reviewed the following Bombardier service information.
Service Bulletin 604-32-032, dated October 18, 2021.
Service Bulletin 605-32-009, dated October 18, 2021.
Service Bulletin 650-32-006, dated October 18, 2021.
This service information specifies procedures for removing and
replacing all affected non-compliant ECMs, P/N 601-86100-27. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane
configurations. 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 164 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
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| 6 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$510 |
$75,972
|
$76,482
|
$12,543,048
|
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.
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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