[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 133 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38000-38002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27680 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-026-AD; 
Amendment 39-15128; AD 2007-14-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AEROTECHNIC Vertiebs-u. Service GmbH 
Model Honeywell CAS67A ACAS II Systems Appliances

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    It was detected by the STC holder that in earlier installations 
of the ACASII system there were no isolation diodes installed in the 
Heading and Attitude Valid lines. The absence of an isolation diode 
in the valid lines can prevent the valid flag to come up even if a 
gyro fault exists. The problem has only been detected for Heading 
Valid lines but could equally affect the Attitude Valid lines.
    With installation of the ACASII, the heading and attitude valid 
lines have to be connected to the TPU67A. On valid state, the 
signals are +28VDC. On invalid, the signals are open. This condition 
of direct connection (without an isolation diode installed) of the 
valid lines to the TPU67A, if not corrected, could cause the TPU67A 
to feed current into the open stated valid lines. This prevents the 
flag to appear even if the gyro is invalid, providing the flight 
crew with erroneous navigation information.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 16, 2007.
    On August 16, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department

[[Page 38001]]

of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2007 (72 
FR 20780). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It was detected by the STC holder that in earlier installations 
of the ACASII system there were no isolation diodes installed in the 
Heading and Attitude Valid lines. The absence of an isolation diode 
in the valid lines can prevent the valid flag to come up even if a 
gyro fault exists. The problem has only been detected for Heading 
Valid lines but could equally affect the Attitude Valid lines.
    With installation of the ACASII, the heading and attitude valid 
lines have to be connected to the TPU67A. On valid state, the 
signals are +28VDC. On invalid, the signals are open. This condition 
of direct connection (without an isolation diode installed) of the 
valid lines to the TPU67A, if not corrected, could cause the TPU67A 
to feed current into the open stated valid lines. This prevents the 
flag to appear even if the gyro is invalid, providing the flight 
crew with erroneous navigation information.
    For the reasons stated above, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
requires the installation of isolation diodes into the signal lines 
to the TPU67A to prevent reverse feed of the valid lines.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA is not aware of any airplanes on the U.S. Registry that 
have the affected equipment installed. All airplanes with this 
equipment included in the applicability of this rule currently are 
operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they 
are not directly affected by this AD action at this time. However, the 
FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition 
is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes are 
imported and placed on the U.S. Registry.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Registry, accomplishment of the required action will take approximately 
8 work-hours at an average labor rate of $80 per work-hour. Required 
parts will cost about $50 per product. Where the service information 
lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have 
assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not 
control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur 
costs higher than estimated here.
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD will be 
$690 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-14-06 AEROTECHNIC Vertiebs -u. Service GmbH: Amendment 39-
15128; Docket No. FAA-2007-27680; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-
026-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
16, 2007.

[[Page 38002]]

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell CAS67A ACAS II systems that are 
installed on, but not limited to, DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Models 
Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, 
and Dornier 228-212 airplanes that:
    (1) Had Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA1310 installed prior 
to January 31, 2005; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: 
Navigation.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    It was detected by the STC holder that in earlier installations 
of the ACASII system there were no isolation diodes installed in the 
Heading and Attitude Valid lines. The absence of an isolation diode 
in the valid lines can prevent the valid flag to come up even if a 
gyro fault exists. The problem has only been detected for Heading 
Valid lines but could equally affect the Attitude Valid lines.
    With installation of the ACASII, the heading and attitude valid 
lines have to be connected to the TPU67A. On valid state, the 
signals are +28VDC. On invalid, the signals are open. This condition 
of direct connection (without an isolation diode installed) of the 
valid lines to the TPU67A, if not corrected, could cause the TPU67A 
to feed current into the open stated valid lines. This prevents the 
flag to appear even if the gyro is invalid, providing the flight 
crew with erroneous navigation information.
    For the reasons stated above, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
requires the installation of isolation diodes into the signal lines 
to the TPU67A to prevent reverse feed of the valid lines.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after August 16, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), 
modify the Honeywell CAS67A ACASII System Installation following 
Aerotechnic Vertiebs -u. Service GmbH Service Bulletin No. DO228-
119780-0104, Revision 2, dated December 21, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2007-0059, dated March 5, 2007, and Aerotechnic Vertiebs -u. Service 
GmbH Service Bulletin No. DO228-119780-0104, Revision 2, dated 
December 21, 2006, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Aerotechnic Vertiebs -u. Service GmbH Service 
Bulletin No. DO228-119780-0104 Revision 2, dated December 21, 2006, 
to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
AEROTECHNIC Vertriebs-und Service GmbH, Baden Airpark, Montreal 
Avenue D425, 77836 Rheinmuenster; telephone: +49 7229 66 2400; 
facsimile: +49 7229 66 2409.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 29, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-13249 Filed 7-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P