[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30498-30500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12256]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0285; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Air Data
Pressure Transducers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; rescission.
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SUMMARY: We propose to rescind airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-26-15,
which applies to certain Honeywell International Inc. air data pressure
transducers as installed on various aircraft. AD 2012-26-15 requires
doing various tests or checks of equipment having certain air data
pressure transducers, removing equipment if necessary, and reporting
the results of the tests or checks. As an option to the tests or
checks, AD 2012-26-15 allows removal of affected equipment having
certain air data pressure transducers. We issued AD 2012-26-15 to
detect and correct inaccuracies of the pressure sensors, which could
result in altitude, computed airspeed, true airspeed, and Mach
computation errors. AD 2012-26-15 reported that these errors could
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight of the
aircraft and could result in consequent loss of control of the
aircraft. Since we issued AD 2012-26-15, we have received new data
indicating that the safety risk is lower than originally estimated.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 14, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Honeywell service information identified in this AD, contact
Honeywell Aerospace, Technical Publications and Distribution, M/S 2101-
201, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2170; telephone 602-365-5535;
fax 602-365-5577; Internet http://www.honeywell.com. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0285; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be
[[Page 30499]]
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sreekant Sarma, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-
4137; phone: 562-627-5351; fax: 562-627-5210; email:
sreekant.sarma@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0285;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-035-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On December 21, 2012, we issued AD 2012-26-15, Amendment 39-17310
(78 FR 1735, January 9, 2013), for certain Honeywell International Inc.
air data pressure transducers as installed on various aircraft. AD
2012-26-15 requires doing various tests or checks of equipment having
certain air data pressure transducers, removing equipment if necessary,
and reporting the results of the tests or checks. As an option to the
tests or checks, AD 2012-26-15 allows removal of affected equipment
having certain air data pressure transducers. AD 2012-26-15 was
prompted by a report of a pressure measurement error in the pressure
transducer used in various air data systems, which translates into air
data parameter errors. We issued AD 2012-26-15 to detect and correct
inaccuracies of the pressure sensors, which could result in altitude,
computed airspeed, true airspeed, and Mach computation errors. AD 2012-
26-15 reported that these errors could reduce the ability of the
flightcrew to maintain the safe flight of the aircraft and could result
in consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
Actions Since AD 2012-26-15, Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR 1735, January 9,
2013), Was Issued
We issued AD 2012-26-15, Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR 1735, January 9,
2013), as a ``Final rule; request for comments'' based on a qualitative
review of the data available at that time. That review indicated that a
vacuum reference leak (VRL), if not corrected, could affect air data
sensor accuracy. Since we issued AD 2012-26-15, the FAA and Honeywell
have collected new report data, which indicate that the safety risk is
lower than originally estimated. The latest Honeywell data show a
leakage rate within the acceptable risk range, so that airworthiness is
not affected. Based on this new information, we have determined that AD
2012-26-15 is no longer necessary.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, we have determined that AD 2012-26-15,
Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR 1735, January 9, 2013), must be rescinded.
Accordingly, this proposed AD would rescind AD 2012-26-15. Rescission
of AD 2012-26-15 would not preclude the FAA from issuing another
related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.
Related Costs
AD 2012-26-15, Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR 1735, January 9, 2013),
affects about 90 appliances installed on various aircraft of U.S.
registry. The estimated cost of the currently required actions for U.S.
operators is set forth in the following table. Rescinding AD 2012-26-15
would eliminate any further costs associated with that AD.
Estimated Required Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Indicated altitude test........... 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 Up to $15,300.
per hour = $170.
Removal........................... 2 work-hours x $85 0 170 Up to $15,300.
per hour = $170.
Pitot static certification test... 3 work-hours x $85 0 255 Up to $22,950.
per hour = $255.
Air Data Modules check or test.... 2 work-hours x $85 0 170 Up to $15,300.
per hour = $170.
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Estimated On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Pressure sensor test.......................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $170
$170.
Removal....................................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 170
$170.
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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.
[[Page 30500]]
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);
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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
0
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]
0
2. Amend Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-26-
15, Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR 1735, January 9, 2013), and adding the
following new AD:
Honeywell International Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0285; Directorate
Identifier 2014-NM-035-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 14,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This action rescinds AD 2012-26-15, Amendment 39-17310 (78 FR
1735, January 9, 2013).
(c) Applicability
This action applies to air data pressure transducers, as
installed in air data computers (ADC), air data modules (ADM), air
data attitude heading reference systems (ADAHRS), and digital air
data computers (DADC) having the part numbers and serial numbers
identified in Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin ADM/ADC/ADAHRS-34-
A01, dated November 6, 2012. This appliance is installed on, but not
limited to, the aircraft specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through
(c)(16) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132,
and -133 airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes.
(4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231,
and -232 airplanes.
(5) Airbus Model A330-223F, -243F, -201, -202, -203, -223, -243,
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(6) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541,
and -642 airplanes.
(7) AGUSTA S.p.A. Model AW139 helicopters.
(8) Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 429
helicopters.
(9) The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER
series airplanes; and Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F
series airplanes.
(10) Cessna Aircraft Company Model 560XL (560 Excel and 560 XLS)
airplanes.
(11) Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes and
Model FALCON 2000 airplanes.
(12) Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-
135BJ airplanes.
(13) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X and GV-SP
airplanes.
(14) Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes.
(15) PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E airplanes.
(16) Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate previously held by
Bombardier Inc.; de Havilland, Inc.) Model (Twin Otter) DHC-6-400
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12256 Filed 5-27-14; 8:45 am]
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