[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2898-2899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1351]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-242-AD; Amendment 39-9883; AD 97-01-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airtell International, Inc., Centaurus
Model C3-100 Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), as Installed in
Various Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Airtell International, Inc., Centaurus Model C3-100
GPWS equipment that is installed on any type of airplane, that requires
replacement of this equipment with a similar type of equipment that
meets specific performance requirements. This amendment is prompted by
results of an investigation, which revealed that, under certain
circumstances, the Centaurus GPWS equipment does not provide the flight
crew with aural warnings to indicate that the airplane is descending.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
GPWS equipment to provide such aural warnings. If the flight crew
relies on receiving such warnings and the GPWS equipment fails to
provide those warnings, the ability of the flight crew to prevent the
airplane from impacting the ground may be inhibited.
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 25, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John P. Dimtroff, Aerospace Engineer,
Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056;
telephone (206) 227-2117; fax (206) 227-1100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airtell International, Inc.,
Centaurus Model C3-100 ground proximity warning system (GPWS) equipment
that is installed on any type of airplane was published in the Federal
Register on October 18, 1996 (61 FR 54364). That action proposed to
require removal and replacement of Centaurus Model C3-100 GPWS
equipment with a similar type of equipment that meets specific
performance requirements.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$16,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $516,000, or $17,200 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-01-12 Airtell International, Inc.: Amendment 39-9883. Docket [96-
NM-242-AD.]
Applicability: Centaurus Model C3-100 ground proximity warning
system (GPWS) equipment, as installed in, but not limited to, the
following airplanes, certificated in any category:
Beech 99 series airplanes;
Beech 200 series airplanes;
Dassault Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 200 series airplanes;
EMBRAER (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) EMB-110 series
airplanes;
Fairchild Aircraft Model SA226-TC series airplanes;
Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AT series airplanes; and
[[Page 2899]]
Grumman Model G-73 Mallard airplanes.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the GPWS equipment to provide certain
aural warnings, which could inhibit the ability of the flight crew
to prevent the airplane from impacting the ground, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, remove
and replace Centaurus Model C3-100 GPWS equipment with a similar
type of equipment that meets minimum performance standards specified
in Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-92b, dated August 19, 1976.
Accomplish the actions in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager,
Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111. Operators shall submit
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on February 25, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1351 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
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