[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 34136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11848]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0492; Product Identifier 2016-SW-025-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. 
(Honeywell) Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would 
have applied to various normal and transport category rotorcraft with 
certain Honeywell enhanced ground proximity warning systems (EGPWS) 
installed. The NPRM was prompted by a software defect that prevents the 
EGPWS from providing terrain warnings. The NPRM would have required 
updating the software version of the EGPWS. Since issuance of the NPRM, 
the FAA has determined that the unsafe condition no longer exists and 
has confirmed that the majority of operators have updated their 
software as specified in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: The FAA is withdrawing the proposed rule published June 6, 2017 
(82 FR 25978), as of June 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0492; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this AD action, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations 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: Thanh Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5304; fax: 
562-627-5210; email thanh.b.tran@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA has issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2017 (82 FR 25978). The 
NPRM was prompted by a software defect that prevents the EGPWS from 
providing terrain warnings. The NPRM proposed to require updating the 
software version of the EGPWS. The proposed actions were intended to 
address failure of an EGPWS to generate a terrain warning, which could 
result in flight into terrain.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the unsafe 
condition no longer exists and has confirmed that the majority of 
operators have updated their software as specified in the NPRM. In 
addition, the FAA confirmed that the software failure related to the 
potential unsafe condition has occurred only during lab testing; no 
failures have occurred during operation of the affected helicopters. 
The FAA completed a new risk assessment based on this data that showed 
there is an acceptable level of risk. Therefore, the FAA has determined 
that AD action is not appropriate and the NPRM should be withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM is 
unnecessary. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive 
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA-
2017-0492, which was published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2017 
(82 FR 25978), is withdrawn.

    Issued on May 28, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11848 Filed 6-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


