[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:
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Manufacturer Aircraft models and/or series
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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.
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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.
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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]
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