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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0141; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01052-T;
Amendment 39-22283; AD 2022-26-04]
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 all
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an oxygen-fed ground
fire event potentially caused by electrical arcing from a faulty
surround light wire on the third crew member's (observer) oxygen mask.
This AD was also prompted by the determination that additional
inspections and a bracket trim are needed to address the unsafe
condition. This AD requires an inspection for discrepancies of the
observer's oxygen mask stowage box and stowage compartment, oxygen hose
connections and routing, and the associated electrical harness, and
corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the oxygen mask flexible
lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment panel, including
rerouting the electrical harness and applying protective sealant. This
AD also requires an inspection for correct installation of the flexible
lamp assembly; trimming and reidentifying a bracket; and for certain
airplanes, an inspection for damage of the wire harness assembly; and
applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 2, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 2,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0141; 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 MHI RJ Aviation Group, Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des
Grandes-Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, Qu[eacute]bec J7H 0E2 Canada;
North America toll-free telephone 833-990-7272 or direct-dial telephone
450-990-7272; fax 514-855-8501; email mhirj.com">thd.crj@mhirj.com; website
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 at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0141.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer,
Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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 all MHI RJ Aviation ULC
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2022 (87 FR 10752).
The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2021-32, dated September 17, 2021,
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada
(Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32). Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32 states
that an oxygen-fed ground fire event was potentially caused by
electrical arcing from a faulty surround light wire on the third crew
member's (observer) oxygen mask. An investigation determined that the
oxygen supply hose connecting to the rear of the observer oxygen mask
box assembly could be subject to chafing damage.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for
discrepancies of the observer's oxygen mask stowage box and storage
compartment, oxygen hose connections and routing, and the associated
electrical harness, and corrective actions if necessary; and modifying
the oxygen mask flexible lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment
panel, including rerouting the electrical harness and applying
protective sealant.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all MHI RJ
Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 21,
2022 (87 FR 63970). The SNPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-
2021-32R1, dated July 25, 2022 (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI
states that since Transport Canada AD CF-2021-32 was issued, an
operator reporting a fouling condition between the power feed wires for
the stowage box light strip and an existing aluminum bracket in the
entrance monument mask stowage compartment. The SNPRM was also prompted
by the determination that additional inspections and a bracket trim are
needed to address the unsafe condition. In the SNPRM, the FAA again
proposed to require an inspection for discrepancies of the observer's
oxygen mask stowage box and storage compartment, oxygen hose
connections and routing, and the associated electrical harness, and
corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the oxygen mask flexible
lamp harness, mounting plate, and compartment panel, including
rerouting the electrical harness and applying protective sealant. In
the SNPRM, the FAA further proposed to require an inspection for
correct installation of the flexible lamp assembly; trimming and
reidentifying a bracket; and for certain airplanes, an inspection for
damage of the wire harness assembly; and applicable corrective actions.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible damage to the observer
oxygen mask supply hoses and a potential for an oxygen-fed fire in the
vicinity of the observer oxygen mask storage compartment.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0141.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the SNPRM 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 SNPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed MHI RJ Service Bulletin 601R-35-022, Revision B,
dated April 21, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for
doing a general visual inspection for discrepancies, including elbow
fitting clocking (rotation), sealing tape installed in a certain
location, wire damage (e.g., cuts, nicks, kinks, insulation damage) of
the observer's oxygen mask stowage box and storage compartment, the
observer's mask oxygen hose connections, the hose routing, and the
associated electrical harness, and applicable corrective actions; and
modifying the oxygen mask flexible lamp harness, mounting plate, and
compartment panel, including rerouting the electrical harness and
applying protective sealant. Corrective actions include re-positioning
the elbow fitting, removing sealing tape, and repairing wiring. This
service information also specifies procedures for an inspection for
correct installation of the flexible lamp assembly; trimming and
reidentifying a bracket; and for certain airplanes, an inspection for
damage of the wire harness assembly; and applicable corrective actions.
Corrective actions include correcting flexible lamp assembly
installations and repair.
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 407 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
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Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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Cost on
U.S. operators
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| Up to 9 work-hours x $85 per
hour = Up to $765 |
Up to $115
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Up to $880
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Up to $358,160
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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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