AD 2021-22-17 Prompted By A Report Of Cracking In Certain Components On Left And Right Sides Of The Aft Wing-To-Body Fairing

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

This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in certain components on left and right sides of the aft wing-to-body fairing (WTBF) structure near the tie-rod attachment at a certain fuselage station; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod preload. This AD requires inspecting the aft WTBF structure for any cracking or damage, adjusting the load on the two tie-rods at a certain fuselage station, and repair if necessary, as specified in two Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective December 29, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-32, dated September 25, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-32), to correct an unsafe condition for all 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 all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2021 (86 FR 17087). The NPRM was prompted by a report of cracking in certain components on left and right sides of the aft WTBF structure near the tie-rod attachment at a certain fuselage station; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod preload. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the aft WTBF structure for any cracking or damage, adjusting the load on the two tie-rods at a certain fuselage station, and repair if necessary, as specified in TCCA AD CF-2020-32.

Since the NPRM was issued, the TCCA has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-32R1, dated April 23, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-2020-32R1), which provides extended compliance times for airplanes on which a certain WTBF reinforcement modification has been accomplished. The applicability of TCCA AD CF-2020-32R1 is the same as in TCCA AD CF-2020-32; therefore, there is no change to the applicability of this AD. In addition, TCCA AD CF-2020-32R1 does not add any new requirements; the change to the compliance time is relieving. Operators can address the unsafe condition identified in this AD by accomplishing the actions specified in either TCCA AD CF-2020-32 or TCCA AD CF2020-32R1.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking, which could lead to loss of aft WTBF integrity and result in damage due to parts departing the airplane, loss of the radio altimeter, and effects on airplane stability and performance. See TCCA ADs CF-2020-32 and CF-2020-32R1 for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov