AD 2021-20-07 Requires Replacing The Forward Galley Slotted Drain Covers

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 that following an in-service engine shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping into the forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a circuit breaker. This AD requires replacing the forward galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 17, 2021.

Supplementary Information: Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1, dated December 11, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1) (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. 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-2021-0260.

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 April 26, 2021 (86 FR 21969). The NPRM was prompted by a report that following an in-service engine shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping into the forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a circuit breaker. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the forward galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water ingress into the forward avionics bay, which could short circuit the equipment in the bay area and lead to a loss of air data sources and consequent reduced functional capabilities and increase in crew workload, possibly leading to a loss of continued safe flight and landing. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov