DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0767; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00723-T;
Amendment 39-22786; AD 2024-14-05]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports that the baggage bay discharge push-button
annunciator (PBA) switch was making contact but was not fully engaged,
and the tabs were not fully locked. This AD requires a verification of
the baggage bay discharge PBA functionality and tab installation. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 17, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0767; 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 Bombardier material, contact Bombardier Business
Aircraft Customer Response Center, 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West,
Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-2999; email
bombardier.com">ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; website bombardier.com.

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 at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0767.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, 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 BD-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on March 28, 2024 (89 FR 21443). The NPRM was prompted by AD
CF-2023-36, dated May 29, 2023, issued by Transport Canada, which is
the aviation authority for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI).
The MCAI states that during the execution of a functional test
procedure (FTP) during production, the baggage bay discharge PBA switch
was partially engaged and failed to make electrical contact. Further
investigation showed that in some instances, the baggage bay discharge
PBA switch was making contact but was not fully engaged and the tabs
were not fully locked, so while the PBA may pass the FTP, vibration
could eventually lead to a loss of electrical contact and subsequent
loss of baggage bay discharge PBA switch functionality.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a verification of the
baggage bay discharge PBA functionality and tab installation. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the possible inability to discharge halon
into the baggage compartment in case of a fire. The unsafe condition on
these products, if not addressed, could result in the inability to
control a baggage compartment fire.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0767.

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 Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-26-7505, dated
February 10, 2023. This service information specifies procedures for
doing a general visual inspection of the baggage bay discharge PBA
switch for proper installation and a functional operation test. 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 42 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

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: