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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1006; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01222-T;
Amendment 39-22781; AD 2024-13-07]
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-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705)
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a notice from a supplier reporting that torque wrenches
used to install the air driven generator (ADG) downlock cam nut were
out of calibration, which resulted in a higher torque level setting
than required during the initial production installation of the
affected cam nut. This AD requires replacement of the affected ADG
locking cam screw and cam nut, as specified in a Transport Canada AD,
which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
25, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1006; 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 Transport Canada material, 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. You may
find this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1006.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516-228-7300; email Fatin.R.Saumik@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-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24
(Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on April 23, 2024 (89 FR 30286). The NPRM was prompted by AD
CF-2023-76, dated November 28, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which
is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-76)
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states MHI RJ Aviation
received a supplier quality escape notice, reporting that torque
wrenches used to install the ADG downlock cam nut were out of
calibration, which resulted in a higher torque level setting than
required during the initial production installation of the affected cam
nut. This over-torque condition could cause the screw and cam to fail,
which, if not corrected, could result in the loss of the ADG downlock
mechanism functionality upon airplane touchdown which eliminates a
critical power source for the aircraft, leaving the flightcrew with
minimum flightdeck displays and difficulty controlling the aircraft.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of the
affected ADG locking cam screw and cam nut, as specified in Transport
Canada AD CF-2023-76. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this over-
torque condition that could cause the screw and cam to fail. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of the ADG
downlock mechanism functionality upon airplane touchdown which
eliminates a critical power source for the aircraft, leaving the
flightcrew with minimum flightdeck displays and difficulty controlling
the aircraft.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1006.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
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
comment 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,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-76 specifies procedures for replacing
the affected ADG locking cam screw and cam nut. 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 24 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
|
Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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Cost on
U.S. operators
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| Up to 2 work-hours x $85 per
hour = $170 |
$285
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Up to $455
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Up to $10,920
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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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