[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48333-48336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16267]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Shadin ADC-2000 Air Data Computers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Shadin ADC-2000 air data computers (ADC) installed on 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to replace affected ADC-
2000 units with a modified unit. This proposed AD results from reports 
that certain ADC-2000 units display incorrect altitude information on 
the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) to the pilot. We are 
issuing this proposed AD to prevent ADC-2000 units, part numbers (P/Ns) 
962830A-1-S-8, 962830A-2-S-8, and 962830A-3-S-8, configurations B, C, 
and D, from displaying incorrect altitude information. This could cause 
the flight crew to react to this incorrect flight information and 
possibly result in an unsafe operating condition.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by October 11, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions

[[Page 48334]]

for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Shadin, 6831 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426-
4412; telephone: (800) 388-2849 or (952) 927-6500; facsimile: (952) 
924-1111; e-mail: www.shadin.com.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-34-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Kuen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 2300 East Devon 
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
7125; facsimile: (847) 294-7834; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-34-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone 
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
34-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? We have received reports 
that the pressure altitude output of certain Shadin ADC-2000 air data 
computers (ADC) drift outside Technical Standard Order (TSO) tolerance.
    Shadin ADC-2000 units, part numbers (P/Ns) 962830A-1-S-8, 962830A-
2-S-8, and 962830A-3-S-8, configurations B, C, and D (labeled with TSO-
C106 and TSO-C44a), provide altitude information that is displayed on 
the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) to the pilot. The ADC/
EFIS combination is used to display primary altitude information to the 
pilot.
    The maximum altitude error allowed by TSO-C106 and TSO-C44a is 25 
feet at ground level. Shadin ADC-2000 units, P/Ns 962830A-1-S-8, 
962830A-2-S-8, and 962830A-3-S-8, configurations B, C, and D, have 
shown errors from 100 to 8,000 feet from the correct altitude.
    The errors are caused by the ADC-2000 altitude measurement system. 
A pressure transducer in the ADC measures the altitude from the 
airplane static pressure system. The pressure transducer converts 
static pressure to an electrical signal.
    We have determined that the electrical output from the pressure 
transducer in the affected ADCs changes over time resulting in the 
display of misleading altitude information to the pilot.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If this 
situation occurs while the flight crew is making critical flight 
decisions, the display of incorrect altitude information could cause 
the flight crew to react to this incorrect flight information and 
possibly result in an unsafe operating condition.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Shadin 
has issued Service Bulletin SB28-05-002, Rev C, dated June 29, 2005.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for doing preflight checks to ensure ADC/
EFIS altimetry accuracy and specifies having ADC-2000, P/Ns 962830A-1-
S-8, 962830A-2-S-8, and 962830A-3-S-8, configurations B, C, and D, 
upgraded to new P/Ns 962831A-1-S-8, 962831A-2-S-8, and 962831A-3-S-8.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on these ADCs that are installed on type design airplanes.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 457 units installed on airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
do this proposed modification:

[[Page 48335]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost
            Labor cost                    Parts cost           per unit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work hours x $65 per hour =      Not applicable..........        $130.
 $130.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Shadin will reimburse the owner/operators for labor to remove and 
replace the ADC and shipping costs to Shadin Repair Facility to the 
extent specified in the service bulletin.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
(and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-34-AD'' in 
your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Shadin: Docket No. FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
34-AD

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments On This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by October 11, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Shadin ADC-2000 air data computers (ADC), 
part numbers (P/N) 962830A-1-S-8, 962830A-2-S-8, 962830A-3-S-8, 
configurations B, C, and D, that are installed in, but not limited 
to, the following aircraft (all serial numbers), and are 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Manufacturer                            Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Aircraft Group, LLC...........  H-250.
B-N Group Ltd..........................  BN2A.
Bombardier Inc.........................  DHC-3, DHC-6.
Cessna Aircraft Company................  172, 180, 180E, 185, 206, 206E,
                                          206F, 206G 208, 210L, 310.
deHavilland Inc........................  DHC-2.
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc............  PA-28-180, PA-28-181, PA-31-
                                          350, PA-32-300, PA-32-301, PA-
                                          32R-300, PA-34-200T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports that certain ADC-2000 units 
display incorrect altitude information on the Electronic Flight 
Information System (EFIS) to the pilot. The actions specified in 
this AD are to prevent ADC-2000 units, P/Ns 962830A-1-S-8, 962830A-
2-S-8, and 962830A-3-S-8, configurations B, C, and D, from 
displaying incorrect altitude information. This could cause the 
flight crew to react to this incorrect flight information and 
possibly result in an unsafe operating condition.

What Must I do to Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

[[Page 48336]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) To ensure the air data    Within the next 25    Follow the Interim
 computer (ADC) and the        hours time-in-        Procedures
 Electronic Flight             service (TIS) after   contained in Shadin
 Information System (EFIS)     the effective date    Service Bulletin
 altimetry accuracy, do the    of this AD and        SB28-05-002, Rev C,
 normal preflight check. If    thereafter before     dated June 29,
 the altitudes, altimeter,     each flight until     2005. The owner/
 and elevation differ by       the ADC is upgraded   operator holding at
 more than 75 foot, do not     as specified in       least a private
 fly the airplane in IMC/IFR.  paragraph (e)(2) of   pilot certificate
                               this AD.              as authorized by
                                                     section 43.7 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.7) may do the
                                                     check specified in
                                                     paragraph (e)(1) of
                                                     this AD. Make an
                                                     entry into the
                                                     aircraft records
                                                     showing compliance
                                                     with this portion
                                                     of the AD following
                                                     section 43.9 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.9).
(2) Return all Shadin ADC-    Within the next 15    Follow Shadin
 2000s, part numbers 962830A-  months after the      Service Bulletin
 1-S-8, 962830A-2-S-8,         effective of this     SB28-05-002, Rev C,
 962830A-3-S-8,                AD.                   dated June 29,
 Configurations B, C, and D,                         2005.
 to the Shadin Repair
 Facility for upgrade.
 Contact the Shadin
 Technical Support
 department for a Return
 Merchandise Authorization
 (RMA) number. Until the ADC-
 2000 is modified, returned,
 and reinstalled, only fly
 the airplane if equipment
 requirements for that
 airplane are still met.
(3) Do not install any        As of the effective   Not applicable.
 Shadin ADC-2000, part         date of this AD.
 number 962830A-1-S-8,
 962830A-2-S-8, or 962830A-3-
 S-8, Configurations B, C,
 and D, unless it has been
 upgraded as specified in
 paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Jeffrey Kuen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 
107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7125; 
facsimile: (847) 294-7834; e-mail address: [email protected].

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in this AD?

    (g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Shadin, 6831 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426-
4412; telephone: (800) 388-2849 or (952) 927-6500; facsimile: (952) 
924-1111; email: www.shadin.com. To view the AD docket, go to the 
Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, 
or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is 
Docket No. FAA-2005-21787; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-34-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 10, 2005.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16267 Filed 8-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P