[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5700-5705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02550]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6616; Product Identifier 2016-CE-004-AD; Amendment 
39-19177; AD 2018-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. Pitot Probes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rosemount Aerospace Model 851AK pitot probes that were repaired by CSI 
Aerospace, Inc. between January 2013 and July 2014 that are installed 
on airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain pitot 
probes are indicating the wrong airspeed during flight. This AD 
requires inspecting the airplane to determine the number of affected 
pitot probes installed and replacing the affected pitot probes. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 16, 2018.

[[Page 5701]]

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-2016-
6616; or in person at the Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The AD docket contains this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Kim, Aerospace Engineer, Fort 
Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177-
1524; telephone: (817) 222-5131; fax: (817) 222-5245; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Rosemount Aerospace Model 
851AK pitot probes that were repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc. between 
January 2013 and July 2014 that are installed on airplanes. The NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2016 (81 FR 29193). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report that certain pitot probes are 
indicating the wrong airspeed during flight. The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the airplane to determine the number of affected 
pitot probes installed and replacing the affected pitot probes. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent incorrect airspeed indications during 
flight, which could lead to loss of control. Due to design redundancy, 
this is only applicable if more than one deficient probe is installed.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the AD

    Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) supported the 
proposed AD as written.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Revise the Description of the Unsafe Condition

    Andy Feely of CSI Aerospace, Inc. (CSI) stated that they do not 
have any data which confirms that the inaccurate airspeed occurred 
during flight ``in icing conditions.''
    The commenter also stated that in the proposed AD, in the Summary, 
Discussion, and paragraph (e) Unsafe Condition sections, several 
references are made to the reported problem occurring ``in icing 
conditions.'' CSI does not have any data to support this statement. 
This statement is inconsistent with the field data that CSI has been 
able to collect. CSI has communicated with affected operators and has 
been unable to confirm experiences of inaccurate airspeed reporting 
during flight ``in icing conditions.'' CSI has a service difficulty 
report (SDR) where the airplane had varying airspeed indications from 
the airspeed indication systems (pitot probes), however, it does not 
contain a report of icing conditions.
    The commenter requested removing all references to ``icing 
conditions'' throughout the final rule AD action.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We agree to remove the 
language ``icing conditions'' from the Summary, Discussion, and 
paragraph (e) of the AD because the SDR report that prompted the AD 
action does not provide meteorological conditions. However, we disagree 
that icing conditions do not contribute to the unsafe condition. There 
is evidence that the migrated braze material may present a non-
conforming, forward facing surface inside the pitot throat on which ice 
crystals may accumulate when they make contact and could lead to the 
incorrect airspeed indications.
    We have changed the AD as indicated above.

Request To Clarify Summary

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that there is a specific time period that 
the affected pitot probes were repaired by CSI.
    The commenter requested that the specific time period of between 
January 2013 and July 2014 be added in the Summary section of the final 
rule AD action to clarify the applicability of the affected pitot 
probes and to be consistent with the dates in the Discussion section of 
the proposed AD.
    We agree with the commenter. We have changed this AD action based 
on this comment.

Request To Revise the FAA's Determination Section

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that the FAA's Determination section in 
the proposed AD does not accurately reflect the scope of the unsafe 
condition. It implies a more widespread problem. Through CSI's 
immediate actions taken, once notified of the initial report (March 
2014), all suspect serial numbers of the affected pitot probes were 
identified and located. All affected customers were notified and were 
provided instructions to inspect, scrap, return and/or replace the 
suspect probes. The commenter also stated that it is his opinion that 
this condition is not ``likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design'' because the probes were located, contained, and 
monitored.
    The commenter requested a revision to this section to more 
accurately indicate the scope of the unsafe condition.
    We do not agree with the commenter. In 14 CFR, section 39.5, the 
FAA is required to issue an AD when we find that an unsafe condition 
exists in a product and the condition is likely to exist or develop in 
other products of the same type design. We have determined that this AD 
meets these requirements.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Revise the Applicability Section

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that the Applicability section should 
include a statement to clarify the time period to narrow the actual 
scope of the problem and to be consistent with the dates stated in the 
Discussion section of the proposed AD. The commenter also stated that 
pitot probes re-repaired after August 1, 2014, are no longer part of 
the affected probes.
    The commenter requested that paragraph (c) of the final rule AD be 
revised to add the specific time period the affected probes were 
repaired by CSI and to specify the serial numbers of pitot probes 
repaired after August 1, 2014, which are no longer part of the affected 
probes.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We agree with including a 
statement in the Applicability section that suspect probes that were 
re-repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc. after August 1, 2014, are not at 
risk because corrective actions have been taken to address the unsafe 
condition. We have changed the final rule AD action to add the serial 
numbers of the re-repaired probes to the Applicability section. Because 
we are relaxing the requirement to allow probes to be re-repaired after 
August 2014 and CSI is confident that these probes were re-repaired 
after August 2014, this does not add any additional burden to 
operators.

[[Page 5702]]

    We disagree with removing the serial numbers of re-repaired pitot 
probes from the Applicability section because we do not want to omit 
serial numbers from the final rule AD action based on claims that 
affected parts are already in compliance with the actions of the 
proposed AD. The original list of serial numbers provided in the 
proposed AD did not include serial numbers of re-repaired probes, but 
we have added them to the final rule AD action. Again, adding these 
serial numbers does not impose a burden on the public and this AD only 
documents those serial numbers that originally had the unsafe 
condition. All airplanes that had probes previously repaired would not 
be subject to any actions of this AD other than the requirement to 
assure that no suspect probe is installed in the future.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this part of the 
comment.

Request To Correct Serial Number of Affect Pitot Probe

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that the serial number of pitot probe 
88912 in the proposed AD is incorrect.
    The commenter requested the serial number be corrected to 88192 in 
the final rule AD action.
    We agree with the commenter and have changed this AD action based 
on this comment.

Request To Allow Maintenance Records Review

    Andy Feely of CSI and Ryan Hall of Delta Air Lines stated that 
operators who have serial number traceability of the affected pitot 
probes fully documented in their maintenance records should be 
permitted to do a records review in order to determine location and 
number of affected probes installed on their airplane(s).
    The commenters requested that paragraph (g) of the final rule AD 
action be changed to include a review of the maintenance records in 
lieu of a physical inspection of the airplane if the serial number and 
repair date of the pitot probe can be positively identified.
    We agree with the commenter. Many operators keep thorough 
maintenance records that make it possible to positively identify the 
serial number of the affected probe and the repair date from a review 
their maintenance records.
    We have changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Clarify Compliance

    Andy Feely of CSI stated it is not initially clear to owners/
operators who have determined, either through inspection of the 
airplane, through maintenance records review, or that action was 
already taken before the effective date of this AD to assure that no 
more than one affected probe remains on the airplane and that two out 
of the three pitot probes installed on their airplane are not affected 
are in compliance with certain portions of the proposed AD.
    The commenter requested an additional statement be added to 
paragraph (g) of the final rule AD action to clarify that no further 
action is required except for the ongoing requirement in paragraph 
(h)(2) of this final rule AD action if airplane inspection or 
maintenance records review reveals that no more than one affected probe 
remains on the airplane.
    We agree with the commenter and have changed this AD action based 
on this comment.

Request To Clarify Replacement Requirement

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that in the proposed AD it is unclear when 
the replacement of the affected pitot probes is required.
    The commenter requested to have the words ``after the effective 
date of this AD'' removed from paragraph (h)(1) of the final rule AD 
action.
    We do not agree with the commenter. If it is determined that the 
pitot probes are required to be replaced, as specified in paragraph 
(h)(1) of the proposed AD, the operator will have two months after the 
effective date of the final rule AD action to do so.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Remove Certain Pitot Probes From the Applicability

    Andy Feely of CSI stated that as a result of the aggressive 
voluntary corrective action plan by CSI and the airlines, the serial 
number listing of the affected pitot probes has been greatly reduced.
    The commenter stated that robust traceability by serial number, 
delivery date, and customer, have allowed CSI and its customers the 
ability to proactively remove the affected probes for re-repair or 
scrap. CSI maintains very tight coordination with the affected 
customers and is aware of the status of all affected pitot probes.
    The commenter has requested that many of the pitot probes listed in 
the Applicability section be removed from the final rule AD action.
    We do not agree with the commenter. We disagree with removing the 
serial numbers of re-repaired or scrapped pitot probes from the 
Applicability section of the final rule AD action because we do not 
want to omit serial numbers based on claims that affected parts are 
already in compliance. We acknowledge that CSI has made significant 
efforts to remove all affected pitot probes from the fleet and to 
communicate their efforts to the FAA; however, after their effort was 
complete, approximately 100 pitot probes could not be accounted for.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Extend Compliance Time for Replacement

    Robert Holcomb of American Airlines stated that the final rule AD 
should take into account the burden of costs associated with acquiring 
additional spares to meet the two-month replacement compliance time.
    The commenter stated that American Airlines owns 197 of the 
affected pitot probes. Of the 197 affected pitot probes, 83 are on 
active airplanes and 21 of those have been re-repaired. The commenter 
also stated that American Airlines has not had any failures of the 
affected pitot probes and currently has 87 active airplanes with 
potential to have an affected pitot probe installed.
    The commenter requested increasing the replacement compliance time 
to 6 months based on lack of failures on the MD80 fleet, current spare 
constraints, and turnaround time of re-repaired pitot probes.
    We do not agree with the commenter. We received a report about 
erroneous airspeed data being transmitted from multiple Rosemount 
Aerospace Model 851AK pitot probes repaired by CSI when installed on a 
Boeing Aircraft Company Model B717 airplane. Because we cannot say with 
certainty when or where this unsafe condition will manifest in the 
pitot probe, we are unable to increase the replacement compliance time 
to six months without additional justification. If operators have 
substantiating data to demonstrate that an acceptable level of safety 
has been met with a change in compliance time or other changes to this 
AD, we will consider an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the 
final rule AD action on a case by case basis. We do not provide costs 
beyond initial work hours and parts costs. Therefore, accounting for 
costs associated with acquiring spares is beyond the scope of our 
policy.
    We have not changed this AD action based on this comment.

Request To Clarify Exclusion of Certain Pitot Probes From the 
Applicability

    Ryan Hall of Delta Air Lines stated that it is not clear in the 
Applicability section of the proposed AD that pitot

[[Page 5703]]

probes repaired by CSI on or after August 1, 2014, are not part of the 
applicability.
    The commenter stated that paragraph (c) of proposed rule AD applies 
to pitot probes that were repaired by CSI and have a serial number 
listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that are known to be installed on 
aircraft. However, paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD contains the 
phrase, `unless it has been repaired by CSI and has a date of August 1, 
2014, or later.
    The commenter requested that the Applicability section of the final 
rule AD action be revised to include the statement excluding pitot 
probes repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc. after August 1, 2014, from the 
applicability.
    We agree with the commenter and have changed this AD action based 
on this comment.

Request To Add Removal Requirement

    Ralph Isaacson stated that the laser etching, which identifies the 
manufacturer and serial number, is eventually worn off by environmental 
conditions, usage, and age.
    The commenter stated that in some instances the pitot probes will 
require removal from the fuselage to clearly identify the mechanically 
stamped serial number at the inner base of the probe.
    The commenter requested that a requirement for removing the pitot 
probes in order to identify the overhauled pitot probes serial numbers 
should be added to the final rule AD action.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We agree with the 
possibility that the serial number may not be legible on the outside of 
the pitot probe because of environmental conditions, usage, age, etc. 
However, we disagree with adding a requirement to remove the pitot 
probe during every inspection. If the serial number is legible from the 
outside of the pitot probe, this may add an unnecessary burden to the 
operators. Also, some operators are capable of positively identifying 
the serial number of the affected pitot probe and the repair date from 
a review of maintenance records. We have not changed this AD action 
based on this comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 679 products installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts  cost       product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect to determine the number of   1 work-hour x $85 per hour              N/A             N/A         $57,715
 defective pitot probes installed     = $85.
 on the airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace defective pitot probe..............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...          $6,750          $6,835
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

[[Page 5704]]

    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2018-03-04 Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.: Amendment 39-19177; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-6616; Product Identifier 2016-CE-004-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 16, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. Model 851AK pitot 
probes that were repaired by CSI Aerospace Inc. and have a serial 
number listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that are known to be 
installed on but not limited to the airplanes listed in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this AD. Pitot probes that were repaired by CSI Aerospace 
Inc. that have a repair date of August 1, 2014, or later, are 
excluded from the applicability.
    (1) 24352, 53257, 61568, 68168, 69913, 69953, 71007, 71802, 
71820, 73010, 73406, 75549, 75555, 80489, 80491, 83809, 84200, 
84495, 84911, 84922, 85317, 85731, 87225, 87234, 87235, 87241, 
87272, 87512, 87551, 87909, 88192, 88622, 90538, 91606, 93291, 
93292, 93293, 93305, 93941, 93948, 93960, 94258, 94304, 94559, 
94814, 94819, 95150, 95849, 97405, 98194, 99498, 99509, 100105, 
100111, 100127, 100313, 100741, 101374, 101500, 102037, 102054, 
102309, 102502, 104604, 106134, 106139, 106381, 106905, 107251, 
107405, 107406, 107450, 107887, 108174, 108302, 108858, 108859, 
108967, 108970, 109119, 109122, 109124, 109128, 109383, 109393, 
109394, 109467, 109474, 109488, 109521, 109524, 109537, 109577, 
109795, 109798, 109799, 109808, 109810, 109946, 109954, 109958, 
109962, 109996, 110323, 110324, 110327, 110338, 110611, 110626, 
110880, 110895, 110956, 111061, 111066, 111315, 111320, 111432, 
111561, 111571, 111578, 111802, 111807, 112229, 112280, 112343, 
112497, 112646, 112657, 112677, 112779, 112781, 112783, 112979, 
112993, 113025, 113026, 113129, 113151, 113382, 113721, 113758, 
113837, 113838, 113843, 113845, 113920, 113934, 114130, 114147, 
114152, 114157, 114223, 114239, 114376, 114572, 114813, 114869, 
114872, 114959, 114962A, 114966, 115428, 115713, 116046, 116249, 
116253, 116255, 116271, 116424, 116557, 116734, 116792, 116994, 
117022, 117144, 117164, 117310, 117412, 117414, 117426, 117427, 
117428, 117587, 117961, 118111, 118119, 118234, 118331, 118637, 
118639, 118770, 118938, 119115, 119281, 119290, 119414, 119441, 
119496, 119587, 119593, 119694, 119695, 119737, 119852, 120456, 
120461, 120728, 120823, 120825, 120826, 120829, 121040, 121041, 
121110, 121116, 121145, 121172, 121320, 121322, 121524, 121661, 
121834, 121852, 122286, 122662, 122843,122934, 122935, 123286, 
123289, 123330, 123745, 123746, 123753, 123767, 124144, 124385, 
124390, 124396, 124890, 125016, 125021, 125077, 125163, 125174, 
126785, 127449, 127894, 127899, 128302, 128307, 129503, 130371, 
130377, 130688, 131422, 131423, 131752, 132065, 132067, 132297, 
132825, 133103, 133161, 133220, 133291, 133310, 133313, 133394, 
133396, 133512, 133521, 134100, 134102, 134403, 134535, 134537, 
134639, 134675, 134681, 135136, 135234, 135246, 135250, 135554, 
135561, 135568, 135735, 135743, 136075, 136208, 137049, 137398, 
137543, 137544, 137642, 139076, 139081, 139433, 139444, 139691, 
139694, 139759, 139763, 139971, 139976, 140188, 140563, 140565, 
140643, 140649, 140650, 141161, 141356, 141362, 141497, 141501, 
141605, 141607, 142426, 142765, 142774, 142775, 143070, 143405, 
143409, 143411, 143418, 143816, 143818, 143988, 143992, 143999, 
144591, 144814, 144816, 144976, 144977, 146116, 146835, 147421, 
148524, 148765, 148777, 149460, 149464, 149510, 149941, 150196, 
150206, 150211, 150212, 150214, 150542, 150725, 151077, 151086, 
151095, 151493, 152097, 152819, 152922, 152969, 152974, 152981, 
153232, 153233, 153453, 153454, 153625, 153628, 153635, 153641, 
153956, 153962, 153966, 153984, 154007, 154156, 154704, 154721, 
154738, 154741, 155003, 155042, 155045, 155238, 155278, 155517, 
156022, 156025, 156222, 156526, 156529, 156672, 157023, 157137, 
157143, 158393, 158790, 158797, 159033, 159036, 159413, 159440, 
159891, 160000, 160002, 160006, 160456, 160459, 160463, 160466, 
160468, 161137, 161139, 161159, 161177, 161184, 161185, 161363, 
161364, 161366, 162376, 162384, 162674, 162682, 162685, 162688, 
163176, 163178, 163181, 163557, 163559, 163602, 164217, 164279, 
164746, 164750, 164907, 164908, 165135, 165259, 165459, 165805, 
166235, 166324, 166325, 166326, 166331, 166477, 166481, 166608, 
166671, 166673, 166892, 167029, 167030, 167035, 167037, 167182, 
167341, 167556, 167559, 167705, 167707, 167709, 167763, 167764, 
167765, 167766, 167811, 195627, 195628, 195706, 195707, 195710, 
195796, 195833, 195876, 196041, 196042, 196045, 196137, 196234, 
196397, 196400, 196401, 196403, 196498, 196500, 196761, 197097, 
197137, 197140, 197143, 197238, 197657, 197874, 198528, 198687, 
198775, 198780, 198788, 198872, 198878, 199034, 199042, 199187, 
199441, 199613, 199616, 199669, 200293, 200324, 200534, 200535, 
200538, 200556, 200737, 200738, 200739, 200793, 200830, 200834, 
200872, 201576, 201685, 201733, 201892, 201893, 201964, 202053, 
202305, 202306, 202469, 202471, 202472, 202596, 202625, 202633, 
202760, 202381, 202879, 202901, 203010, 203016, 203147, 204629, 
204665, 204714, 204820, 204821, 204822, 205249, 205253, 205329, 
205335, 205526, 205527, 205529, 205700, 205882, 205967, 206273, 
206406, 206436, 206441, 206646, 207019, 207020, 207021, 207364, 
207369, 207683, 207684, 207837, 207849, 207850, 208206, 208381, 
208394, 208396, 208543, 209148, 209698, 209704, 209707, 212176, 
212525, 212697, 212700, 213952, 213953, 214085, 214089, 214144, 
214795, 214803, 215392, 215476, 216214, 216509, 216515, 216951, 
216955, 216957, 217368, 217369, 217382, 217441, 217708, 217805, 
218112, 218610, 218613, 218757, 218761, 218958, 218965, 218967, 
218970, 218976, 219226, 219228, 219233, 219236, 219411, 219418, 
219832, 219840, 219842, 219915, 220990, 220991, 221197, 221286, 
221635, 224540, 224700, 224701, 224704, 224707, 224876, 225257, 
225262, 225586, 225907, 225910, 225974, 226133, 226136, 226465, 
226466, 226467, 227159, 227174, 227836, 227837, 229277, 230190, 
230191, 230192, 230193, 231082, 232015, 232681, 232684, 234534, 
235621, 235628, 238097, 238179, 239755, 239760, 239956, 239964, 
242109, 242998, 243347, 243350, 243351, 245230, 246442, 246792, 
246851, 247007, 247302, 250747, 253132, 256326, 256327, 258614, 
258861, 258865, 260508, 262743, 262744, 263643, 263644, 263645, 
263651, 263700, 264117, 264119, 264122, 264123, 264125, 264193, 
264738, 265208, 265210, 265655, 265656, 265657, 265658, 268055, 
268562, 268564, 268565, 268566, 272372, 272592, 273833, 273835, 
275276, 275658, 275663, 277554, 280433, 280435, 296902, 298059, and 
298843.
    (2) DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-
21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-
9B), DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-41, DC-9-51, DC-9-81 (MD-81), 
DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), MD-88, MD-90-30, 
and 717-200.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 3414, Airspeed/Mach Indicator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the pitot probes are 
indicating the wrong airspeed during flight. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent incorrect airspeed indications during flight, which could 
lead to loss of control. Due to design redundancy, this is only 
applicable if more than one deficient probe is installed.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified. If 
the actions required in paragraphs (g) and (h)(1) of this AD have 
already been done before March 16,

[[Page 5705]]

2018 (the effective date of this AD), then only paragraph (h)(2) of 
this AD applies.

(g) Determine Number of Affected Pitot Probes Installed

    Within 30 days after March 16, 2018 (the effective date of this 
AD), inspect the airplane to determine the number of pitot probes 
identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that are installed on the 
airplane. This inspection can be performed through a review of 
maintenance records in lieu of a physical inspection of the product 
if the serial number and repair date can be positively identified 
from the review. If the serial number cannot be positively 
identified from a review of the aircraft's maintenance records or 
from the outside of the airplane, this may require the pitot probe 
to be removed from the fuselage to view the serial number at the 
inner base of the probe. If it is determined that no more than one 
pitot probe identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD is installed 
on the airplane, no further action is required except for the 
ongoing requirement in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(h) Replace Affected Pitot Probes

    (1) If it is determined that more than one pitot probe 
identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD is installed on the 
airplane during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, 
within the next 2 months after March 16, 2018 (the effective date of 
this AD), do one of the following so that no more than one pitot 
probe identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD is installed on any 
aircraft simultaneously.
    (i) Replace the pitot probes that are listed with pitot probes 
that do not have a serial number listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
AD; or
    (ii) Replace the pitot probes that are listed with one that has 
been properly repaired, and if repaired by CSI, has a repair date of 
August 1, 2014, or later. This can be done by having the existing 
pitot probe repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc.
    (2) As of March 16, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install on any airplane a pitot probe having a serial number listed 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, unless it has been properly 
repaired, and if repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc., has a repair date 
of August 1, 2014, or later.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO 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 local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jonathan Kim, 
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177-1524; telephone: (817) 222-5131; 
fax: (817) 222-5245; email: [email protected].

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02550 Filed 2-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


