Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22502 · Navigation
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership; Bombardier, Inc.) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category.
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 determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band), and a recent determination that this interference may affect other airplane systems using radio altimeter data, including the ground spoiler deployment system. This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing AFM to incorporate limitations prohibiting the use of a certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) item. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For purposes of this AD, a “5G C-Band mitigated airport” (5G CMA) is an airport at which the telecommunications companies have agreed to voluntarily limit their 5G deployment at the request of the FAA, as identified by an FAA Domestic Notice.
(2) For purposes of this AD, a “radio altimeter tolerant airplane” is one for which the radio altimeter, as installed, demonstrates the tolerances specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, using a method approved by the FAA.
(i) Tolerance to radio altimeter interference, for the fundamental emissions (3.7-3.98 GHz), at or above the power spectral density (PSD) curve threshold specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD.
(ii) Tolerance to radio altimeter interference, for the spurious emissions (4.2-4.4 GHz), at or above the PSD curve threshold specified in figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(3) For purposes of this AD, a “non-radio altimeter tolerant airplane” is one for which the radio altimeter, as installed, does not demonstrate the tolerances specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of the existing AFM to include the information specified in figure 3 to paragraph (h) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of figure 3 to paragraph (h) of this AD into the existing AFM.
Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of the existing AFM to include the information specified in figure 4 to paragraph (i) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of figure 4 to paragraph (i) of this AD into the existing AFM.
(1) The Manager, Operational Safety 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 Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-47, dated June 26, 2023, for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1408.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Brett Portwood, Continued Operational Safety Technical Advisor, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 817-222-5390; email: operationalsafety@faa.gov.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
