Federal Aviation Administration September 6, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing error that can create dents on the lower wing plank, close to the flap arm locations at certain wing stations; as a result, cracks could develop and weaken the structural integrity of the wings before being detected by any existing required inspections. This AD requires an inspection for damage (including dents, cracks, discoloration, gouges, scratches, or other surface damage) of the lower wing plank in the flap arm areas at certain wing stations, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by L2 Consulting Services, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of an electronic network system architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-10- 24, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330- 300 series airplanes; AD 2018-23-14, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes; and AD 2021-05-12, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. AD 2017-10-24, AD 2018-23-14, and AD 2021-05-12 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD revises the applicability by adding airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2018-23-14 and AD 2021-05-12, and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.