[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 116 (Thursday, June 16, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36269-36272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12934]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0679; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01213-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701 & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) 
airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model 
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 
(Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
a determination that new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new 
and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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 August 1, 
2022.

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 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 [email protected]; internet https://

[[Page 36270]]

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.

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-2022-
0679; 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. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chirayu A. Gupta, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

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-2022-0679; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01213-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 proposed AD.

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 
Chirayu A. Gupta, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, 
FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2021-38, dated November 5, 
2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-38) (also referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2C11 
(Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 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-2022-
0679.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. In-service reports 
of emergency ram air valve (ERAV) part number (P/N) GG670-95019-1 stuck 
in closed or partially open positions have been received. Further 
investigation revealed the ERAV is failing due to corrosion on multiple 
sub-components, causing an increase in the breakaway torque that cannot 
be overcome by the valve actuator. Based on these findings, MHI RJ 
Aviation ULC issued CRJ700/900/1000 Series Regional Jet Temporary 
Revision (TR) ALI-0744, dated April 27, 2021, which reduced the 
interval for the existing Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Task 215000-
201, Operational Check of the Ram Air Shutoff Valve; and CRJ700/900/
1000 Series Regional Jet TR ALI-0745, dated April 27, 2021, which added 
new MRB Task 215000-204, Detailed Inspection of the Pack Discharge and 
Ram Air Supply Duct. The FAA is proposing this AD to address in-service 
reports of ERAV P/N GG670-95019-1 stuck in closed or partially open 
positions, which if not corrected, could result in a complete loss of 
outside air supply, leading to an increase in flight deck and cabin 
temperatures and a possible increased level of contaminated air (carbon 
monoxide, carbon dioxide, or ozone). See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    MHI RJ Aviation issued the following TRs, which describe 
airworthiness limitations for the air conditioning system.
     CRJ700/900/1000 Series Regional Jet TR ALI-0744, dated 
April 27, 2021, specifies a reduced interval for the operational check 
of the ram air shutoff valve.
     CRJ700/900/1000 Series Regional Jet TR ALI-0745, dated 
April 27, 2021, describes a new MRB task for inspecting the pack 
discharge and ram air supply duct.
    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 revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed

[[Page 36271]]

AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in 
the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the 
operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance 
according to paragraph (i)(1) of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1,158 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:
    The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the 
agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. 
Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes 
for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator 
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the 
agency estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 
work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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

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:
MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, 
Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2022-0679; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01213-
T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by August 1, 2022.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC airplanes, 
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (5) of this AD.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) 
airplanes.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes.
    (4) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.
    (5) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air 
conditioning.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address in-service reports of emergency ram air 
valve part number GG670-95019-1 stuck in closed or partially open 
positions, which, if not corrected could result in a complete loss 
of outside air supply, leading to an increase in flight deck and 
cabin temperatures and a possible increased level of contaminated 
air (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or ozone).

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in [MHI RJ] CRJ700/900/1000 
Series Regional Jet Series Temporary Revision (TR) ALI-0744, dated 
April 27, 2021. The initial compliance time for doing the task is at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this 
AD, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.
    (i) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 1,800 flight 
hours since the last operational check of the ram air shutoff valve 
was performed as specified in Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Task 
215000-201, and for airplanes that have accumulated less than 1,800 
flight hours from the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness: Within 
3 months after the effective date of this AD, or before accumulating 
1,800 total flight hours, whichever occurs later.
    (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated 1,800 flight hours or 
more since the last operational check of the ram air shutoff valve 
was performed as specified in MRB Task 215000-201, and for airplanes 
that have accumulated 1,800 flight hours or more since the date of 
issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness and for which no operational 
check of the valve has been performed: Within 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD or before accumulating 3,000 total flight 
hours, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in [MHI RJ] CRJ700/900/1000 
Series Regional Jet Series TR ALI-0745, dated April 27, 2021. The 
initial compliance time for doing the task is at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (i) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 17,600 flight 
hours since the last detailed inspection of the pack discharge and 
ram air supply ducts was performed as specified in MRB Task 215000-
204, and for airplanes that have accumulated less than 17,600 flight 
hours since the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness: Within 
3 months after the effective date of this AD, or before accumulating 
17,600 total flight hours, whichever occurs later.
    (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated 17,600 flight hours or 
more since the last detailed inspection of the pack discharge and 
ram air supply ducts as specified in MRB

[[Page 36272]]

Task 215000-204, and for airplanes that have accumulated 17,600 
flight hours or more since the date of issuance of the original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness, and for which no detailed inspection of the pack 
discharge and ram air supply ducts has been performed: Within 3 
months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, may be used unless the 
actions and intervals are approved as an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

(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. 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-2021-38, dated November 5, 2021, 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-2022-0679.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Chirayu A. 
Gupta, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New 
York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, 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 [email protected]; 
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.

    Issued on June 10, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12934 Filed 6-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


