90 FR 92 pgs. 20380-20382 - Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 92Pages: 20380 - 20382
Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00612-T; Amendment 39-23030; AD 2025-09-09]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-08339 Filed 5-13-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version:  PDF Version
Pages: 20380, 20381, 20382

[top] page 20380

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00612-T; Amendment 39-23030; AD 2025-09-09]

RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) impact switch was installed in the wrong direction. This AD requires an inspection of the CVR impact switch installation to confirm that the reset switch faces forward, and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective June 18, 2025.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 18, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; 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 Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca . You may find this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.

• You may view this material 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-2025-0021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steven Dzierzynski, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 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 (Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2025 (90 FR 9879). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2024-35, dated October 16, 2024, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the CVR impact switch part number (P/N) 3L0-453-2 was installed in the wrong direction on a Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplane. The incorrect installation was determined to have occurred in production as there was no record of any maintenance being performed in the area by the operator. The impact switch disables power to the CVR in the event of an accident to prevent overwriting cockpit recordings. The installation of the CVR impact switch P/N 3L0-453-2 is the same on Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The unsafe condition therefore may exist on all of these models.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection of the CVR impact switch installation to confirm that the reset switch faces forward, and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an incorrectly installed impact switch, which could result in loss of data that could hinder the identification of the unsafe condition in the event of an accident and consequently impede the development of actions to address the unsafe condition that caused the accident.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0021.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received comments from The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion


[top] These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI page 20381 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 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 NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35, dated October 16, 2024. This material specifies procedures to inspect the installation of the CVR impact switch to ensure that the reset switch is pointed to the front of the airplane, and re-installation of any discrepant impact switch. This material 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 602 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85 $51,170

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any reinstallation that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85

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.

§?39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2025-09-09 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23030; Docket No. FAA-2025-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00612-T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 18, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23, Communications.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports that a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) impact switch was installed in the wrong direction. The impact switch disables power to the CVR in the event of an accident to prevent overwriting cockpit recordings. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an incorrectly installed impact switch, which could result in loss of data that could hinder the identification of the unsafe condition in the event of an accident and consequently impede the development of actions to address the unsafe condition that caused the accident.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements


[top] Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF- page 20382 2024-35, dated October 16, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35).

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35

(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraph A. of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 specifies to "inspect the installation of the impact switch P/N 3L0-453-2 in accordance with the MHIRJ AMM task 23-71-10-400-801 to confirm the reset switch faces forward," this AD requires replacing that text with "perform a general visual inspection of the installation of the impact switch P/N 3L0-453-2 to confirm the reset switch faces forward."

(3) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35 specifies corrective action, this AD requires that the corrective action be performed before further flight after finding any impact switch that does not face forward.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov . 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, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or MHI RJ Aviation ULC's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(j) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Steven Dzierzynski, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2024-35, dated October 16, 2024.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; website tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.

(4) You may view this material 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.

Issued on April 29, 2025.

Steven W. Thompson,

Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2025-08339 Filed 5-13-25; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P