AD 2021-26-27 Requires A One-Time Inspection For Damage Of The Insulation Blankets Below The Left And Right OWEEDs

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes.

This AD was prompted by a report indicating that during production, the manual opening and closing of the over-wing emergency exit door (OWEED) prior to the installation of the OWEED interior panel could have resulted in damaged insulation blankets below the left and right OWEEDs. This AD requires a one-time inspection for damage of the insulation blankets below the left and right OWEEDs, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 3, 2022.

Supplementary Information: TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, issued TCCA AD CF-2021-03 on February 11, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-03) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2021 (86 FR 41788). The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during production, the manual opening and closing of the OWEED prior to the installation of the OWEED interior panel could have resulted in damaged insulation blankets below the left and right OWEEDs. The NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection for damage of the insulation blankets below the left and right OWEEDs, and replacement if necessary, as specified in TCCA AD CF-2021-03.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential damage to the insulation blankets, which could result in delayed passenger evacuation in the event of post-crash/post-impact fire events outside the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov