[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 232 (Thursday, December 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66746-66751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32101]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD; Amendment 39-10924; AD 98-25-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. 
SKYWATCH SKY497 Installations with a Top-Mounted Antenna

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. (BFGoodrich) SKYWATCH 
SKY497 installations with a top-mounted antenna that are installed on 
aircraft. This AD requires incorporating information into the airplane 
flight manual (AFM) that specifies verifying the correct antenna 
configuration each time an aircraft equipped with a SKY497 installation 
with a top-mounted antenna is powered-up. The AD also requires removing 
from service any of these SKY497 installations with an incorrect 
antenna configuration. This AD results from numerous reports of 
internal component failure of the above-referenced installations, which 
changed the antenna configuration (from TOP to BOTTOM mount). The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the display of 
target indicators on the wrong side of the aircraft caused by an 
internal component failure in the SKY497 installations with a top-
mounted antenna, which could result in the pilot making an incorrect 
initial maneuver based on the displayed information while trying to 
visually acquire the aircraft.

DATES: Effective December 22, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc., 5353 52nd Street, Southeast, P.O. 
Box 873, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49588-0873; telephone: (800) 453-0288;

[[Page 66747]]

facsimile: (616) 285-4224. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Ocker, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7126; facsimile: (847) 
294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    BFGoodrich has communicated to the FAA 11 reports of internal 
component failure of BFGoodrich SKYWATCH SKY497 installations with a 
top-mounted antenna. When this failure occurs, the antenna 
configuration changes from the TOP to BOTTOM mount; e.g., the actual 
target at the 9 o'clock position relative to the aircraft shows on the 
SKY497 installation in the 3 o'clock position.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in the display of target indicators on the wrong side of the aircraft. 
The SkyWatch system is an advisory system and the pilot should not 
maneuver based on the displayed information alone. However, the pilot 
may make an incorrect initial maneuver based on the displayed 
information while trying to visually acquire the aircraft.

Relevant Service Information

    BFGoodrich has issued Alert Service Bulletin SB #78A, dated October 
21, 1998, which specifies procedures for verifying that the SKY497 
antenna configuration is in the top mount position every time an 
affected aircraft is powered-up.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, including the 
relevant service information, the FAA has determined that AD action 
should be taken to prevent the display of target indicators on the 
wrong side of the aircraft caused by the current design of the SKY497 
installations with a top-mounted antenna. This could result in the 
pilot making incorrect aircraft maneuvers based on the displayed 
information.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other aircraft equipped with SKY497 installations 
with a top-mounted antenna, the FAA is taking AD action. This AD 
requires incorporating information into the airplane flight manual 
(AFM) that specifies verifying the correct antenna configuration each 
time an aircraft equipped with a SKY497 installation with a top-mounted 
antenna is powered-up. The AD also requires removing from service any 
of these SKY 497 installations with an incorrect antenna configuration.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public 
prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is 
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

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.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-25-02  BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc.: Amendment 39-10924, 
Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD.

    Applicability: SKYWATCH SKY497 installations with a top-mounted 
antenna that are installed on, but not limited to, the following 
aircraft, all serial numbers, certificated in any category:

[[Page 66748]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Manufacturer                 Aircraft models and/or series
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raytheon..............................  Beech 90, 100, 200, and 300
                                         Series.
Cessna................................  172, 182, 206, 208, 210, 300,
                                         400, and 500 Series.
Piper.................................  PA-23, PA-31-360, PA-31T, PA-32,
                                         PA-34, PA-42, and PA-46.
Hawker................................  HS-700 and HS-800.
Mitsubishi............................  MU-2 Series.
Dassault..............................  F10.
Mooney................................  M20 Series.
Bombardier............................  DHC-6 Series.
West- wind............................  1124.
Bell..................................  407.
Eurocopter............................  AS365.
Socata................................  TBM700.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent the display of target indicators on the wrong side of 
the aircraft caused by an internal component failure in the SKY497 
installations with a top-mounted antenna, which could result in the 
pilot making an incorrect initial maneuver based on the displayed 
information while trying to visually acquire the aircraft, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, place the information in the Appendix to 
this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual 
(AFM).
    (1) This information specifies verifying the correct antenna 
configuration each time an aircraft equipped with a SKY497 
installation with a top-mounted antenna is powered-up.
    (2) This information is a duplication of the information 
presented in BFGoodrich Alert Service Bulletin #78A, dated October 
21, 1998.
    (b) If an incorrect antenna configuration is found during any of 
the power-up procedures specified in the AFM information required by 
this AD, prior to further flight, remove the SKY497 installation 
from service.
    (c) Inserting the information into the Limitations Section of 
the AFM as required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be performed by 
the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
FR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (d) 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.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The 
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Chicago ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Chicago ACO.

    (f) The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. 5353 52nd Street, 
Southeast, P.O. Box 873, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49588-0873. This 
document or other information related to this AD may be inspected at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 22, 1998.

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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[[Page 66751]]

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32101 Filed 12-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C