AD 2021-03-17 Requires An Inspection To Determine The Last Replacement Date Of The ELB

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes.

This AD was prompted by a report of smoke and signs of an overheating condition from the emergency light battery (ELB) due to excessive corrosion surrounding the internal lead acid batteries, which caused an electrical short circuit that led to the smoke and overheating condition. This AD requires an inspection to determine the last replacement date of the ELB, and replacement if necessary. This AD also requires the incorporation of a new maintenance task into the existing maintenance or inspection program. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 30, 2021.

Supplementary Information: Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2020-07, dated March 17, 2020 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 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-2020-0843.

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-700-1A10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 17, 2020 (85 FR 58010). The NPRM was prompted by a report of smoke and signs of an overheating condition from the ELB due to excessive corrosion surrounding the internal lead acid batteries, which caused an electrical short circuit that led to the smoke and overheating condition. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine the last replacement date of the ELB, and replacement if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require the incorporation of a new maintenance task into the existing maintenance or inspection program. The FAA is issuing this AD to address smoke and an overheating condition of the ELB due to corrosion, which could cause fire onboard the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov