[Federal Register: March 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 45)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11549-11551]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr06-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24101; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model
ST3400 Terrain Awareness Warning System/Radio Magnetic Indicator
Approved Under Technical Standard Order(s) C113, C151a, or C151b;
Installed on Various Small and Transport Category Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD).
The new AD is for Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model ST3400 terrain
awareness warning systems/radio magnetic indicator (TAWS/RMI) units as
described above. This proposed AD would require installing a warning
placard on the TAWS/RMI, installing upgraded software in the TAWS/RMI,
revising the limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM),
and removing the placard and AFM revision after installing the
software. This proposed AD results from a report that an in-flight
bearing error occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI, due to a combination
of input signal fault and software error. We are proposing this AD to
prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane departing from
its scheduled flight path, which could result in a reduction in
separation from, and a possible collision with, other aircraft or
terrain.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 24, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel), 2401 Dogwood Way,
Vista, California 92083, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ha A. Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5335; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number ``FAA-
2006-24101; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-103-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report indicating that an in-flight bearing
error occurred in a Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel) Model ST3400
terrain awareness warning systems/radio magnetic indicator (TAWS/RMI)
installed on a Raytheon Model HS.125 series 700A airplane, due to a
combination of input signal fault and software error. A similar fault
could occur in any such TAWS/RMI that is configured for COMPOSITE NAV
and has software installed that is at revision 3.05 or A3.05 or
earlier. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an airplane
departing from its scheduled flight path, which could result in a
reduction in separation from and a possible collision with other
aircraft or terrain.
[[Page 11550]]
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision
B, dated September 15, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures
for installing an instructional placard on the TAWS/RMI, and updating
the TAWS/RMI software to revision A3.06 or 3.07, depending upon
manufacturer serial number. Accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Although the service bulletin does not specify a revision to the
airworthiness limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM),
we have determined that such a revision is needed to ensure flightcrew
awareness of the TAWS/RMI status before the software upgrade has been
accomplished. We have included a requirement in this proposed AD to
revise the AFM. This difference has been coordinated with the
manufacturer.
The service bulletin specifies installing the instructional placard
within 10 flight hours after the effective date of the service
bulletin. However, such a brief period could impose considerable
hardship on operators. We have determined that this action can be
accomplished within 14 days without undue increased risk; therefore, we
have specified that compliance time in this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 300 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $19,500, or $65
per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Sandel Avionics Incorporated: Docket No. FAA-2006-24101; Directorate
Identifier 2005-NM-103-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 24,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel)
Model ST3400 terrain awareness warning system/radio magnetic
indicator (TAWS/RMI) units approved under Technical Standard
Order(s) C113, C151a, or C151b; as identified in Sandel ST3400
Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004; as
installed on various small and transport category airplanes,
certificated in any category, including, but not limited to, the
airplane models listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Manufacturers/Airplane Models
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Manufacturer Airplane model(s)
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Airbus............................ A300.
Aero Commander (Rockwell, 500A.
Gulfstream).
Beech (Raytheon).................. 1900D.
Boeing............................ 727, 737, 747.
Cessna............................ 208, 208B, 421C; Citation 501, 525,
550, 560, 650, S550.
Challenger (Canadair; originally 600, 600 series, 601.
LearStar).
Commander (Aero Commander)........ 695A.
DeHaviland (Hawker Siddeley, BAE). DHC-6.
Embraer........................... 120.
Falcon (Dassault)................. 10, 50, 200.
[[Page 11551]]
Gulfstream........................ G-1159A, G-I, G-III.
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).. 1124, 1125.
Jetstream......................... 31.
Lear.............................. 24, 35, 36, 55.
McDonnell Douglas................. DC-10.
Mitsubishi (Raytheon)............. MU-300.
Piper (Swearingen)................ Cheyenne PA31-T2.
Raytheon.......................... Barron 58; Beechjet 400; Bonanza
A36; Hawker 125-600, 125-700, 125-
700A, 125-800A, 800-XP; King Air
200, 300, 350, A200, B100, B200,
B300, C90, C90A, C90B, E90, E910,
F90.
Sabreliner........................ 60.
Swearingen........................ SA227.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that an in-flight bearing
error occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI due to a combination of
input signal fault and software error. We are issuing this AD to
prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane departing
from its scheduled flight path, which could result in a reduction in
separation from, and a possible collision with, other aircraft or
terrain.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Installing Placard
(f) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD: Install
a placard on the TAWS/RMI which states, ``NOT FOR PRIMARY VOR
NAVIGATION,'' in accordance with Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin
SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004.
Revising AFM
(g) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise
the limitations section of the applicable Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following statement: ``Use of ST3400 TAWS/RMI
for primary VOR navigation is prohibited unless the indicator has
3.07 or A3.06 software or later.'' This may be done by inserting a
copy of this AD into the AFM.
Updating Software
(h) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, in
accordance with Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision
B, dated September 15, 2004: Field-load the TAWS/RMI with updated
software having revision 3.07 (for units having serial numbers (S/
Ns) under 2000) or revision A3.06 (for units having S/Ns 2000 and
subsequent), as applicable. The placard and AFM limitations revision
installed as required by paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD may be
removed after the software upgrade required by paragraph (h) of this
AD has been accomplished.
Parts Installation
(i) As of 90 days after the effective date of this AD, no person
may install, on any airplane, an ST3400 TAWS/RMI unit, unless it has
been modified according to Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01,
Revision B, dated September 15, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3262 Filed 3-7-06; 8:45 am]
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