Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2026-3872; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01421-T; Amendment 39-23401; AD 2026-14-01] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing or under torqued fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets. This AD requires a general visual inspection (GVI) of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine if all fasteners are installed and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2026. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 14, 2026. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-3872; 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-2026-3872. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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 certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2026 (91 FR 23028). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states that there have been reports of missing or under torqued fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket, which are common to both the left-hand side (LHS) and right-hand side (RHS). The MCAI also states that if fasteners are missing or under torqued, the bracket may lose some load carrying capabilities. Stress analysis has determined that missing cove rib 6 load path may lead to reduced safety margins and subsequent loss of structural redundancy. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a GVI of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine if the fasteners are installed and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-3872. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost. Conclusion 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 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 these products. 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 Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 specifies procedures for performing a GVI of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine if the fasteners are installed and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include making sure that the fasteners are torqued from 20 to 25 lbf in., performing a GVI for signs of damage (damage includes but is not limited to permanent deformation, distortion, cracking, or other visible structural anomalies), repairing any damage found, and, if there is no damage, installing and torquing new fasteners. 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 36 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs for Required Actions Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 $0 $425 $15,300 The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition actions 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: Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 $99 $269 The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. 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: 2026-14-01 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-23401; Docket No. FAA-2026-3872; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01421-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of missing or under torqued fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition, which if not addressed, could potentially result in the loss of some load carrying capabilities, which could result in reduced safety margins and subsequent loss of structural redundancy. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46. (h) Exception to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 specifies “If fasteners are installed,”, for this AD, replace that text with “If fasteners are installed, before further flight,”. (3) Where paragraph C. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 specifies “If fasteners are missing,” for this AD, replace that text with “If fasteners are missing, before further flight,”. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) 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 (k) 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 Bombardier, Inc.'s Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Brenda Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. (l) 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-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025. (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. You may find this material on the Transport Canada website at 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 June 29, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-13981 Filed 7-9-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P