AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the anti-fretting coating on the piston rods of certain ram air turbine (RAT) deployment actuators may have been incorrectly applied. This proposed AD would require a review of airplane maintenance records or an inspection of the RAT deployment actuator to determine the serial number and, depending on the findings, replacement with an upgraded RAT deployment actuator. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 9, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0104; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Niczky, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7347; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2020-0104; Product Identifier 2019-NM-210-AD” at the beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments.

The FAA will post all comments, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact the agency receives about this NPRM.

Discussion

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2019-38, dated October 30, 2019 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0104.

This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the anti-fretting coating on the piston rods of certain RAT deployment actuators may have been incorrectly applied. Incorrect application of this anti-fretting coating may lead to galling of the piston rod over time, which could cause the unit to seize and fail to fully deploy. The FAA is proposing this AD to address this condition which, if not corrected, could result in the inability to power essential systems in the event that other sources of power are also lost. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bombardier has issued the following service information, which describes procedures for inspecting the RAT deployment actuator to identify the serial number and replacing certain RAT deployment actuators with upgraded parts. These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models with different configurations.

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-24-029, dated February 22, 2019.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-24-090, dated February 22, 2019.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-24-5015, dated February 22, 2019.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-24-6015, dated February 22, 2019.

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.

FAA's Determination

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 the State of Design Authority, the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 380 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in our cost estimate.

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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:

(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 Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2020-0104; Product Identifier 2019-NM-210-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments by April 9, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 9002 through 9828 inclusive, 9830, 9832 through 9835 inclusive, 9840, 9854, 9855 and 9998.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical power.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a report that the anti-fretting coating on the piston rods of certain ram air turbine (RAT) deployment actuators may have been incorrectly applied. Incorrect application of this anti-fretting coating may lead to galling of the piston rod over time, which could cause the unit to seize and fail to fully deploy. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition which, if not corrected, could result in the inability to power essential systems in the event that other sources of power are also lost.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Determine RAT Serial Number

Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform an inspection to determine the serial number of the RAT deployment actuator, having part number (P/N) BZ02001-01 (GL456-1301-1). A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection, provided the serial number of the RAT deployment actuator can be conclusively determined from that review.

(1) If the serial number of the RAT deployment actuator is not listed in the table referred to in paragraph 2.B., Part A—Special Check, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Bombardier service information specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g)(1) and (2), (h), and (i) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD.

(2) If the serial number of the RAT deployment actuator is listed in the table referred to in paragraph 2.B., Part A—Special Check, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Bombardier service information specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g)(1) and (2), (h), and (i) of this AD, do the replacement required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Replacement

If during the inspection or records review required by paragraph (g) of this AD any RAT deployment actuator is found to have an affected serial number: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the RAT deployment actuator, having P/N BZ02001-01 (GL456-1301-1), with an upgraded part, in accordance with Paragraph 2.C., Part B—Modification, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Bombardier service information specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g)(1) and (2), (h), and (i) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane, a RAT deployment actuator having P/N BZ02001-01 (GL456-1301-1) with a serial number referred to in Paragraph 2.B., Part A—Special Check, of the Accomplishment Instructions, of the applicable Bombardier service information specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g)(1) and (2), (h), and (i) of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2019-38, dated October 30, 2019, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0104.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Thomas Niczky, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7347; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.