Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review that found that the heat generated by a thermal runaway event, caused by the lithium batteries of the wardrobe personal locator beacon (PLB) would not be sufficiently mitigated by the PLB design to prevent any adverse effect on the two portable oxygen cylinder assemblies located near the PLB installation. This AD requires relocation and replacement of the existing PLB with a new PLB part number at the left-side forward wardrobe assembly, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.