Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

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-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS). This proposed AD would require revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to incorporate procedures to be applied during erroneous electrical status indication conditions. 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 October 7, 2021.

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., 200 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 2A3, Canada; North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet https://www.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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0691; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; 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 ADDRESSES. Include “Docket No. FAA-2021-0691; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01542-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-46, dated November 17, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-46) (also referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0691.

This proposed AD was prompted by reports of erratic electrical system status on the PBA and the EICAS, while on-ground and during flight. Some of those incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing momentary loss of electrical power and loss of flight displays following flightcrew actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address erroneous indications that could mislead pilots, causing them to turn off active electrical power sources, leading to partial or complete loss of electrical power. Loss of electrical power could result in the loss of flight displays and reduced controllability of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bombardier has issued the following sections of the applicable AFMs. This service information provides procedures to inform the pilots not to turn off active generators in the event of an erroneous electrical status indication.

• Section 03-19, Electrical, of Chapter 03, Emergency Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, Revision 63, dated April 1, 2021. (For obtaining this section of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, use Document Identification No. CH 300 AFM-I.)
• Section 05-19, Electrical, of Chapter 05, Non-Normal Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, Revision 63, dated April 1, 2021. (For obtaining this section of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, use Document Identification No. CH 300 AFM-I.)
• Section 03-19, Electrical, of Chapter 03, Emergency Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM, Revision 29, dated April 1, 2021.
• Section 05-19, Electrical, of Chapter 05, Non-Normal Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM, Revision 29, dated April 1, 2021.

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.

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 AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require revising the existing AFM and applicable corresponding operational procedures to incorporate procedures to be applied during erroneous electrical status indication conditions.

Explanation of Incorporating Information Specified in an AFM Revision

This proposed AD would require including the information that is provided in the referenced AFM revisions in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. The language in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD is designed to allow incorporating the specific information, regardless of the revision level of the AFM in use, provided the language is identical to the referenced AFM revisions specified in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD. The language in a later revision of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1 that is the same as the language in Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, Revision 63, dated April 1, 2021; or in a later revision of the Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM that is the same as the language in Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM, Revision 29, dated April 1, 2021; may be incorporated.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 275 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0691; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01542-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by October 7, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 20003 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS), while on-ground and during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address erroneous indications that could mislead pilots, causing them to turn off active electrical power sources, leading to partial or complete loss of electrical power. Loss of electrical power could result in the loss of flight displays and reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the Emergency Procedures and Non-Normal Procedures sections of the existing AFM and applicable corresponding operational procedures to include the information in Section 03-19, Electrical, of Chapter 03, Emergency Procedures, and Section 05-19, Electrical, of Chapter 05, Non-Normal Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, Revision 63, dated April 1, 2021 (for airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20500 inclusive); or Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM, Revision 29, dated April 1, 2021 (for airplanes having serial numbers 20501 through 20999 inclusive); as applicable.

Note 1 to paragraph (g): For obtaining the sections for Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, use Document Identification No. CH 300 AFM-I.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Section 03-19, Electrical, of Chapter 03, Emergency Procedures, and Section 05-19, Electrical, of Chapter 05, Non-Normal Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, Revision 62, dated December 22, 2020; or Bombardier Challenger 350 Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CH 350 AFM, Revision 28, dated December 22, 2020; as applicable.

Note 2 to paragraph (h): For obtaining the sections for Bombardier Challenger 300 (Imperial Version) Airplane Flight Manual, Publication No. CSP 100-1, use Document Identification No. CH 300 AFM-I.

(i) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards 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.

(j) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2020-46, dated November 17, 2020, 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-2021-0691.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 200 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 2A3, Canada; North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet https://www.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.