[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40937-40939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16238]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0264; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01416-T; 
Amendment 39-21616; AD 2021-13-11]
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.

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

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 report that the lower aft outboard supporting structure 
of galley 2 does not meet certification requirements for all flight 
and/or emergency landing loads. This AD requires modifying the floor 
structure between certain fuselage stations. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact MHI RJ Aviation ULC, 12655 Henri-Fabre Blvd., Mirabel, 
Qu[eacute]bec J7N 1E1 Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North 
America toll-free telephone +1-844-272-2720 or direct-dial telephone 
+1-514-855-8500; fax +1-514-855-8501; email thd.crj@mhirj.com; internet 
https://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 on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0264.

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-2021-
0264; 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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antariksh Shetty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-
794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-40, dated October 15, 
2020 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain 
MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-
600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 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-2021-0264.
    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 7, 2021 (86 FR 17998). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report that the lower aft outboard supporting structure of galley 2 
does not meet certification requirements for all flight and/or 
emergency landing loads. The NPRM proposed to require modifying the 
floor structure between certain fuselage stations. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the insufficient structural safety margin of galley 
2 in case of hard landing or severe turbulence. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in injury to the occupants and could limit 
access to the exit door during emergencies if the galley is displaced 
or fails structurally. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), 
indicated its support for the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    MHI RJ has issued MHI RJ Service Bulletin 670BA-53-060, Revision A, 
dated September 17, 2020. This service information describes procedures 
for modifying the floor structure between fuselage station (FS) 379.00 
and FS 394.00 at right buttock line (RBL) 37.75. 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.

[[Page 40938]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. registry. 
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,700........................          $5,081           $6,781           $6,781
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Adoption of 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-13-11 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21616; Docket No. FAA-2021-0264; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01416-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MHI RJ Aviation ULC (type certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, 
certificated in any category, having serial numbers 15057, 15063 
through 15065 inclusive, 15071, 15074, 15079, 15087, 15090, 15106, 
15111, 15113, 15115, and 15117.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the lower aft outboard 
supporting structure of galley 2 does not meet certification 
requirements for all flight and/or emergency landing loads. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the insufficient structural safety 
margin of galley 2 in case of hard landing or severe turbulence. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to the 
occupants and could limit access to the exit door during emergencies 
if the galley is displaced or fails structurally.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
floor structure between fuselage station (FS) 379.00 and FS 394.00 
at right buttock line (RBL) 37.75 in accordance with paragraph 2.B. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Service Bulletin 670BA-
53-060, Revision A, dated September 17, 2020.

(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 MHI RJ Service Bulletin 670BA-53-060, dated 
August 6, 2020.

(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 MHI RJ 
Aviation ULC'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-2020-40, dated October 15, 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-2021-0264.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Antariksh 
Shetty, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is

[[Page 40939]]

available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of 
this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) MHI RJ Service Bulletin 670BA-53-060, Revision A, dated 
September 17, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact MHI 
RJ Aviation ULC, 12655 Henri-Fabre Blvd., Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec J7N 
1E1 Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-
free telephone +1-844-272-2720 or direct-dial telephone +1-514-855-
8500; fax +1-514-855-8501; email thd.crj@mhirj.com; internet https://mhirj.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 10, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16238 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


