[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45678-45680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17307]



[[Page 45678]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. FMC-4200, FMC-
5000, and FMC-6000 Flight Management Computers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) FMC-
4200, FMC-5000, and FMC-6000 flight management computers (FMC) that are 
installed on airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to have the 
FMC modified to correct a problem with the flight management system 
(FMS) accepting new information when an existing procedure or flight 
plan is changed. This proposed AD is the result of a report that an 
aircraft proceeded beyond the published altitude constraint on an 
arrival procedure. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent the FMC from retaining and displaying original 
altitude constraints when an edit or a replacement is made to a 
procedure or flight plan that shares a waypoint with another procedure 
or an airway, and there is an altitude constraint on the shared 
waypoint. Such a condition could cause the pilot to fly the airplane 
out of the range of the correct altitude constraint. This condition 
could result in air traffic control or the pilot making flight 
decisions that put the airplane in unsafe flight conditions.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Rockwell Collins, Business and Regional Systems, 400 Collins Road 
Northeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498; telephone: (319) 295-2512; 
facsimile: (319) 295-5064. You may also view this information at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger A. Souter, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Rm 100, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone: (316) 946-4134; facsimile: (316) 946-4407. E-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on 
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments 
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions 
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may 
view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the 
rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket 
that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposed AD.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to 
acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a 
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA received a report 
of an incident that occurred during a flight arriving in Toronto, 
Ontario. A change in the flight management computer (FMC) had been made 
to the original flight plan changing the altitude constraint to 8,000 
feet--11,000 feet. However, the flight management system (FMS) retained 
the altitude constraint of the original flight plan of 10,000 feet--
14,000 feet. The pilot was unaware of this situation occurring, which 
resulted in the descent of the airplane to proceed beyond the published 
altitude constraint on the arrival procedure.
    When the FMC is operating correctly and a change is made, the FMS 
allows the pilot to delete information associated with a procedure or 
flight plan by deleting the procedure or by replacing the procedure.
    Rockwell Collins FMC-4200, FMC-5000, and FMC-6000 flight management 
computers could be installed on, but not limited to, the following 
aircraft:

--Raytheon Model Beechjet 400A and Model 400T (T-1A) airplanes;
--Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet Series 100 airplanes; and
--Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (variant CL-604) airplanes.

    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? As 
described above, such erroneous altitude constraints retained by the 
FMS could cause the pilot to fly the airplane out of the range of the 
correct altitude constraint. This condition could result in air traffic 
control or the pilot making flight decisions that put the airplane in 
unsafe flight conditions.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Rockwell 
Collins has issued the following service bulletins:

--Service Bulletin 15, Revision No. 1 (FMC-4200/5000/6000-34-15), dated 
November 15, 2000;
--Service Bulletin 502 (FMC-3000/4200-34-502), dated February 17, 2000;
--Service Bulletin 504, Revision No. 1 (FMC-4200/6000-34-504), dated 
March 26, 2001; and
--Service Bulletin 507 (FMC-6000-34-507), dated April 4, 2001.

    What are the provisions of this service information? These service 
bulletins include procedures for modifying the FMC software in order to 
resolve the select altitude problem.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? After examining the circumstances and 
reviewing all available information related to the incidents described 
above, we have determined that:


[[Page 45679]]


--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on type design aircraft that incorporate a Rockwell Collins 
FMC-4200, FMC-5000, or FMC-6000 flight management computer;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to have the FMC modified to allow the FMS to accept new information 
when changing an existing procedure or flight plan.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
700 affected Rockwell Collins FMC-4200, FMC-5000, and FMC-6000 flight 
management computers could be installed on airplanes in the U.S. 
registry. Some airplanes have more than one unit installed.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          FMC unit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours per FMC unit x $60 per  $500 per FMC unit...            $740
 hour = $240.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

    What would be the compliance time of this proposed AD? The 
compliance time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 24 calendar 
months after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.''
    Why is the proposed compliance time presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS)? The compliance of this proposed 
AD is presented in calendar time instead of hours TIS because the 
condition exists regardless of airplane operation. The FMS retention of 
invalid altitude constraint information could occur regardless of the 
number of times and hours the airplane was operated. For these reasons, 
FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be 
utilized in this proposed AD in order to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in a reasonable time period on all airplanes 
that have an affected Rockwell FMC-4200, FMC-5000, or FMC-6000 flight 
management computer installed.

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations 
proposed herein would not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Rockwell Collins FMC-4200, FMC-500, and FMC-6000 flight management 
computers (FMC) that are installed on, but not limited to, the 
following aircraft that are certificated in any category:
    (1) Raytheon Model Beechjet 400A and Model 400T (T-1A) 
airplanes;
    (2) Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet Series 100 
airplanes; and
    (3) Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (variant CL-604) airplanes.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
an aircraft equipped with one of the affected FMCs must comply with 
this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent the FMC from retaining original 
information when an edit is made to a procedure or flight plan. Such 
a condition could cause the pilot to fly the airplane out of the 
range of the correct altitude constraint. This condition could 
result in air traffic control or the pilot making flight decisions 
that put the airplane in unsafe flight conditions.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following, unless 
already accomplished:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the flight         Within the next 24    Use the applicable
 management computer.          calendar months       service information
                               after the effective   as specified in
                               date of this AD.      paragraph (e) of
                                                     this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Do not install, on any    As of the effective   Not applicable.
 aircraft, an affected FMC     date of this AD.
 that has not been modified
 as required by paragraph
 (d)(1) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What service information do I use to accomplish the 
procedures required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD? The service 
bulletins required to accomplish these actions are as follows:

[[Page 45680]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           FMC affected                  Applicable service bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMC-4200..........................  Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin
                                     502 (FMC-3000/4200-34-502), dated
                                     February 17, 2000, or Rockwell
                                     Collins Service Bulletin 504,
                                     Revision No. 1 (FMC-4200/6000-34-
                                     504), dated March 26, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMC-5000..........................  Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin
                                     15, Revision No. 1 (FMC-4200/5000/
                                     6000-34-15), dated November 15,
                                     2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMC-6000..........................  Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin
                                     504, Revision No. 1 (FMC-4200/6000-
                                     34-504), dated March 26, 2001, or
                                     Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin
                                     507 (FMC-6000-34-507), dated April
                                     4, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (f) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (g) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roger A. Souter, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Rm 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4134; facsimile: 
(316) 946-4407. E-mail address: [email protected].
    (h) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (i) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Rockwell Collins, Business and Regional Systems, 400 Collins Road 
Northeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. You may view these documents at 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 3, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17307 Filed 7-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P