[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50531-50532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24643]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Aircraft Flight Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Cancellation of Technical Standard Order (TSO's) C123 and C124;
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This is a cancellation of TSO-C123, Cockpit Voice Recorder
System, and TSO-C124, Flight Data Recorder Systems. TSO-C123 prescribes
the minimum performance standard that cockpit voice recorder were
required to be identified with marking ``TSO-C123,'' dated 5/3/91. TSO-
C124 prescribes the minimum performance standards that flight data
recorder systems were required to be identified with marking ``TSO-
C124,'' dated 2/21/92. This cancellation will ensure that future
cockpit voice recorder systems, and flight data recorders are produced
under TSO-C123a, Cockpit Voice Recorder System, and TSO-C124a, Flight
Data Recorder Systems.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 2, 1998. Comments for inclusion in the TSO's
Docket Files must be received on or before November 25, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch (AIR-120),
Attention: File No. TSO-C123 and TSO-C124, 800 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20591
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Program
and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering
Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591,
Telephone (202) 267-9546, and FAX Number 202-267-5340.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This notice cancels TSO-C123, Cockpit Voice Recorder System, and
TSO-C124, Flight Data Recorder Systems. TSO-C123 prescribes the minimum
performance standard that cockpit voice recorder were required to be
identified with marking ``TSO-C123,'' dated 5/3/91. TSO-C124 prescribes
the minimum performance standards that flight data recorder systems
were required to be identified with marking ``TSO-C124,'' dated 2/21/
92. This cancellation will ensure that future cockpit voice recorder
systems, and flight data recorders are produced under TSO-C123a,
Cockpit Voice Recorder System, dated 8/2/96, and TSO-C124a, Flight Data
Recorder Systems, dated 8/1/96.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that seven flight
recorder media destroyed by postimpact fire in six accidents prompted
concern about the adequacy of the performance standards for flight
recorders. Minimum performance standards for impact and fire protection
are outlined in four Technical Standard Orders (TSO's): TSO-C84 and
TSO-C123 address CVR's and TSO-C51a and TSO-C124 address FDR's. TSO-C84
and TSO-C51a were canceled May 18, 1996.
The FAA Technical Center released a report on its study of flight
recorder fire test requirements. The study determined that the high
intensity, 30-minute fire test specified in the European Organization
for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE), ED-56A, ``Minimum Operational
Requirements for Cockpit Voice Recorder System,'' and European
Organization for Civil Aviation Electronics (EUROCAE), ED-55, ``Minimum
Operation Specification for Flight Data Recorder Systems,'' (and TSO-
C124) is not as severe as a 30-minute jet fuel pool fire the test is
intended to replicate,. The Technical Center found that doubling the
exposure time from 30 to 60 minutes on the fire test produced a total
heat that is equivalent to the heat experienced in a 30-minute
postimpact jet fuel pool fire. The study also determined that flight
recorders meeting the 10-hour low-intensity fire test conditions
described in ED-56A would survive postimpact smoldering fires involving
natural materials.
The Safety Board recommended that the FAA should revise TSO-C123
and TSO-C124 to reflect the findings of the FAA fire test study by (a)
incorporating the long-term, low-intensity fire test requirements
described in ED-56A, and (b) incorporating the high-intensity fire test
requirements described in ED-55 and ED-56A, with the exception of
extending the duration of the high-intensity fire test from 30 minutes,
as specified in the EUROCAE documents, to 60 minutes. to improve the
fire requirements for flight recorder certification and to upgrade the
standards in the TSO's, the Board recommended that the FAA cancel the
[[Page 50532]]
original TSO-C123 and TSO-C124 within 2 years after issuing the revised
versions.
Based on the findings of the NTSB and the FAA Technical Center
study, TSO-C123 and TSO-C124 are canceled August 2, 1998. TSO-C123a,
Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems, and TSO-C124a, Flight Data Recorder
Systems were issued 8/2/96, and 8/1/96, respectively. TSO-C123a and
TSO-C124a, incorporate the long-term, low-intensity fire test
requirements, with the exception of extending the duration of the high-
intensity fire test from 30 minutes, as specified in the EUROCAE
documents, to 60 minutes.
The Cancellation Procedure
The FAA anticipates that this cancellation will not result in
adverse or negative comments, and therefore is issuing it without prior
opportunity to comment. The revised TSO-C123a and TSO-C124a have been
issued and the majority of manufacturers are producing units under the
new standards. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is
received within the comment period, the regulation will become
effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment
period, the FAA will published a document in the Federal Register
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and
confirming that date on which the cancellation become effective. If the
FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative
comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a
document withdrawing the cancellation will be published in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final cancellation and not
preceded by a notice, comments are invited. Interested persons are
invited to comment on this cancellation by submitting such written
data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should
identify the TSO Docket File number and be submitted to the address
specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on
or before the closing date for comments will be considered. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and
determining whether additional action would be needed.
Issued in Washington, DC., on September 18, 1996.
Abbas A. Rizvi,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-24643 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
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