[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 163 (Thursday, August 21, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49368-49371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19361]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0899; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-022-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell Flight Management Systems 
(FMSs) Equipped with Honeywell NZ-2000 Navigation Computers and 
Honeywell IC-800 or IC-800E Integrated Avionics Computers; as Installed 
on Various Transport Category Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to all Honeywell FMSs served by Honeywell 
NZ-2000 navigation computers and IC-800 integrated avionics computers. 
The existing AD currently requires identifying affected computers by 
part number and software modification level and revising the 
Limitations section of applicable airplane flight manuals to provide 
procedures for retaining optimum position determination and intended 
navigation. This proposed AD would require uploading new software, 
which would terminate the existing requirements. This proposed AD 
results from reports of in-flight unannunciated shifts of computed 
position in airplanes with the subject FMS computers. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent a shift in the FMS computed position, which could 
result in uncommanded deviations from the intended flight path of the 
airplane and, if those deviations are undetected by the flight crew, 
compromised terrain/traffic avoidance.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.

[[Page 49369]]

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Honeywell, 
P.O. Box 21111, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1111.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5345; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0899; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-022-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 23, 2007, we issued AD 2007-07-12, amendment 39-15009 (72 
FR 15818, April 3, 2007), for all Honeywell flight management systems 
(FMSs) served by Honeywell NZ-2000 navigation computers and IC-800 
integrated avionics computers. That AD requires identifying affected 
computers by part number and software modification level and revising 
the Limitations section of applicable airplane flight manuals (AFM) to 
provide procedures for retaining optimum position determination and 
intended navigation. That AD resulted from reports of in-flight 
unannunciated shifts of computed position in airplanes with the subject 
FMS computers. We issued that AD to prevent a shift in the FMS computed 
position, which could result in uncommanded deviations from the 
intended flight path of the airplane and, if those deviations are 
undetected by the flight crew, compromised terrain/traffic avoidance.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    The preamble to AD 2007-07-12 specified that we considered the 
requirements ``interim action'' and that the manufacturer was 
developing a modification to address the unsafe condition. That AD 
explained that we might consider further rulemaking if a modification 
is developed, approved, and available. The manufacturer now has 
developed such a modification, and we have determined that further 
rulemaking is indeed necessary; this proposed AD follows from that 
determination.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin 7017300-22-A6112, 
dated June 22, 2007. This service bulletin describes procedures for 
uploading new software in a certain IC-800 or IC-800E integrated 
avionic computer (IAC), as applicable. We also have reviewed Honeywell 
Alert Service Bulletins 7018879-34-A6060, Revision 001, dated January 
21, 2008; 7018879-34-6061, Revision 001, dated January 21, 2008; 
7018879-34-A6062, dated June 12, 2007; and 7018879-34-A6063, dated July 
6, 2007. These service bulletins describe procedures for uploading new 
software in certain NZ-2000 navigation computers (NAV computer). 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to develop on other products of the 
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which 
would supersede AD 2007-07-12 and would retain the requirements of the 
existing AD. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in service bulletins described previously, which would 
constitute terminating action for the retained requirements.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletins

    Although the service bulletins recommend installing the new 
software ``as manpower and material are available,'' we have determined 
that this imprecise compliance time would not address the identified 
unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected 
fleet, and the time necessary to upload the new software. In light of 
all of these factors, we find a compliance time of 12 months for 
completing the proposed actions to be warranted, in that it represents 
an appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to 
operate without compromising safety.

Change to Existing AD

    We find that Honeywell Model IC-800E IAC was not specifically 
identified by model name in the applicability of AD 2007-07-12. 
However, that IAC was identified by manufacturer's part number 7017300-
56023 in the effectivity listing of Honeywell Technical Newsletter A23-
6111-008, Revision 001, dated February 22, 2007, which was referenced 
in AD 2007-07-12 as the appropriate source of service information for 
accomplishing the required actions. Therefore, we have revised the 
applicability of this proposed AD to specifically reference Model IC-
800E IAC in addition to Model IC-800 IAC, where appropriate.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 104 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

[[Page 49370]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                  Number of U.S.-
             Action                  Work hour     Average labor     Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                   rate per hour     airplane        airplanes
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AFM revision (required by AD                   1             $80             $80              77          $6,160
 2007-07-12)....................
Terminating action (new proposed               1              80              80              77           6,160
 action)........................
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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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 FAA 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-15009 (72 FR 15818, April 3, 2007) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Honeywell, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0899; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NM-022-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
6, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-07-12.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Honeywell NZ-2000 navigation 
computers and Honeywell IC-800 or IC-800E integrated avionics 
computers; as installed on transport category airplanes, 
certificated in any category, including but not limited to the 
airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD.

                    Table 1--Known Affected Airplanes
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         Manufacturer                            Model
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Bombardier, Inc..............  CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
                                604) airplanes.
Dassault Aviation............  Mystere-Falcon 900 airplanes.
Gulfstream Aerospace           G-1159A and GV airplanes, and G-IV series
 Corporation.                   airplanes.
Lockheed.....................  382G series airplanes.
Hawker Beechcraft (formerly    BAe.125 Series 800A (including C-29A and
 Raytheon Aircraft Company).    U-125) airplanes.
                               Hawker 800XP and 1000 airplanes.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from in-flight unannunciated shifts of 
computed position in airplanes with the subject flight management 
system (FMS) computers identified in paragraph (c) of this AD. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent a shift in the FMS computed position, 
which could result in uncommanded deviations from the intended 
flight path of the airplane and, if those deviations are undetected 
by the flight crew, compromised terrain/traffic avoidance.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Requirements of AD 2007-07-12

Identification of Part Number/Modification Level

    (f) Within 14 days after April 18, 2007 (the effective date of 
AD 2007-07-12): Determine if the installed NZ-2000 navigation 
computers and IC-800 or IC-800E integrated avionics computers 
serving FMSs have computer part numbers and software modification 
levels identified in Honeywell Technical Newsletter A23-6111-008, 
Revision 001, dated February 22, 2007. For purposes of this AD, 
airplanes with FMS computers having a part number and software 
modification level identified in the newsletter are ``affected 
airplanes.''

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (g) For any affected airplane: Within 14 days after April 18, 
2007, revise the Limitations section of the applicable AFM to 
incorporate the information included in Appendix A of Honeywell 
Technical

[[Page 49371]]

Newsletter A23-6111-008, Revision 001, dated February 22, 2007. This 
may be done by inserting a copy of Appendix A of the newsletter into 
the AFM.

New Requirements of This AD

Terminating Action

    (h) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, upload 
applicable software as specified in Table 2 of this AD. After 
uploading the applicable software, the requirements of paragraphs 
(f) and (g) of this AD are no longer necessary, and the AFM revision 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed.

                       Table 2--Terminating Action
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                               In accordance with
  Upload new software in--     the Accomplishment           For--
                                Instructions of--
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(1) The IC-800 or IC-800E     Honeywell Alert       The IAC identified
 integrated avionic computer   Service Bulletin      in the service
 (IAC), as applicable.         7017300-22-A6112,     bulletin.
                               dated June 22, 2007.
(2) The NZ-2000 navigation    Honeywell Alert       The NAV computer
 computer (NAV computer).      Service Bulletin      identified in the
                               7018879-34-A6060,     service bulletin.
                               Revision 001, dated
                               January 21, 2008.
                              Honeywell Service     The NAV computer
                               Bulletin 7018879-34-  identified in the
                               6061, Revision 001,   service bulletin.
                               dated January 21,
                               2008.
                              Honeywell Alert       The NAV computer
                               Service Bulletin      identified in the
                               7018879-34-A6062,     service bulletin.
                               dated June 12, 2007.
                              Honeywell Alert       The NAV computer
                               Service Bulletin      identified in the
                               7018879-34-A6063,     service bulletin.
                               dated July 6, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, ATTN: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment 
Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5345; fax (562) 627-5210; has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19361 Filed 8-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P