[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29384-29387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11846]



[[Page 29384]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0326; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. Transponders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Rockwell Collins TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode select (S) 
transponders that are installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by instances where the TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode S transponders 
did not properly respond to Mode S Only All-Call interrogations when 
the airplane transitioned from a ground to airborne state. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting the setting of the airplane type 
code category strapping and require either modifying the airplane type 
code category setting or installing the software upgrade to convert the 
affected transponders to the new part number. We are proposing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Collins Aviation Services, 350 Collins Road 
NE., M/S 153-250, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; telephone: 888-265-5467 
(U.S.) or 319-265-5467; fax: 319-295-4941 (outside U.S.); email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. You 
may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0326; 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Tyson, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4174; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0326; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-051-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

    We were notified that Bombardier CL604 airplanes in Eurocontrol 
airspace were not transmitting the appropriate Mode S replies. In at 
least one case, the flight crews switched to the other installed 
transponder, resulting in normal operation. Rockwell Collins, Inc. 
confirmed that other types of airplane could exhibit this same unsafe 
condition. As a result of the issue in Eurocontrol airspace, EASA 
issued Airworthiness Directive 2010-0003R1, effective date January 11, 
2010.
    The TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode S transponder internal software does 
not correctly implement the air/ground override function when the 
airplane type code strapping is set to any value other than (1) or (0) 
and the airplane rotation speed is greater than 100 knots. The error in 
the air/ground override function inhibits the Mode S Only All-Call 
replies. This condition, if not corrected, could result in increased 
pilot and air traffic controller workload as well as reduced separation 
of airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Rockwell Collins, Inc. Service Information Letter 07-2, 
Revision No. 1, 523-0810069-101000, dated September 2, 2008; Service 
Bulletin 505, 523-0816034-001000, dated September 2, 2008; Service 
Bulletin 507, 523-0816423-301000, dated Revision 3, dated December 5, 
2011; Service Bulletin 508, 523-0817821-001000, dated September 16, 
2009; and Service Bulletin 509, 523-0817822-001000, dated September 16, 
2009. The service information describes procedures for verifying the 
airplane type category strapping is correctly set and installing the 
software upgrade to convert the affected transponders to the new part 
number.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspecting the setting of the 
airplane type code category strapping and require either modifying the 
airplane type code category setting or installing the software upgrade 
to convert the affected transponders to the new part number.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 8,000 products installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 29385]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the setting of the          1 work-hour x $85     Not applicable......             $85         $680,000
 airplane type category strapping.   per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary corrections 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplane that might need 
these corrections:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the airplane type code          1 work-hour x $85 per    Not applicable.........  $85.
 category strapping.                    hour = $85.
Convert the part number of the         2 work-hours x $85 per   See conversion parts     Varies depending on
 equipment.                             hour = $170.             cost table.              applicable part number
                                                                                          or service bulletin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Conversion Parts Cost Table--TDR-94 and TDR-94D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Service         Service         Service         Service
              Starting part number                 Bulletin 505    Bulletin 507    Bulletin 508    Bulletin 509
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-007............................................             N/A          $5,886         $12,636         $18,465
-008............................................          $2,323           5,886           3,414           9,429
-108............................................           2,323             N/A             N/A           6,816
-207............................................             N/A           5,886           9,234          15,057
-308............................................           2,323           5,886           3,414           9,429
-309............................................             N/A           5,886           3,414           9,429
-310............................................             N/A             N/A             N/A           6,183
-408............................................           2,323             N/A             N/A           3,414
-409............................................             N/A             N/A             N/A           3,414
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 this 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0326; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-CE-051-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 7, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the following Rockwell Collins, Inc. part 
number (P/N) Mode S transponders that are known to be installed on 
but not limited to the airplanes listed in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) 
through (c)(2)(xiv) of this AD, except for those airplanes listed in 
paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (c)(3)(vi) of this AD, that have been 
modified in-production or in-service:
    (i) TDR-94: CPN 622-9352-008, 622-9352-108, 622-9352-308, 622-
9352-408; and

[[Page 29386]]

    (ii) TDR-94D: CPN 622-9210-008, 622-9210-108, 622-9210-308, 622-
9210-408.
    (2) The products listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) 
of this AD may be installed on but not limited to the following 
airplanes featuring weight-on wheels input to the transponder, 
certificated in any category:
    (i) ATR42 and ATR72;
    (ii) Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant);
    (iii) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 (RJ100 and RJ200);
    (iv) Cessna 525, serial numbers (S/N) 525-0600 through 525-0684 
(CJ1);
    (v) Cessna 525A, S/N 525A-0300 through 525A-0438 (CJ2);
    (vi) Cessna 525B, S/N 525B-0001 through 525B-0293 (CJ3);
    (vii) Cessna 560, S/N 560-0751 through 560-0802 (Citation 
Encore);
    (viii) Cessna 560XL, S/N 560-6001 and subsequent;
    (ix) Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon 50;
    (x) Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon 900;
    (xi) Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000;
    (xii) Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000EX;
    (xiii) Piaggio Aero Industries P.180 (Avanti and Avanti II); and
    (xiv) SAAB 2000.
    (3) This AD action does not apply to the excepted airplane 
models, identified in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (c)(3)(vi) of 
this AD, that have been modified in-production or in-service. They 
do not have the unsafe condition described in this AD.
    (i) Dassault airplanes that have been modified in-service or in-
production following the applicable Dassault Aviation service 
information as listed in table 1 of paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this AD.

 Table 1 of Paragraph (c)(3)(i) of This AD: Excepted Dassault Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airplane models            Service Bulletin     Modification(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mystere-Falcon 50..............  F50-457............  M2966 and M2968.
Mystere-Falcon 900.............  F900-354...........  M3896.
Falcon 900EX...................  F900EX-239.........  M3896.
Falcon 2000....................  F2000-312..........  M2624 and M2632.
Falcon 2000EX..................  F2000EX-043........  M2624.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Model ATR 42 airplanes or ATR 72 airplanes that had P/N 
622-9210-108 transponders installed in production using ATR 
modification 05614 or installed in-service using ATR Service 
Bulletin ATR42-34-0167 or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-34-1094, as 
applicable.
    (iii) SAAB Model 2000 airplanes that had P/N 622-9210-008 
transponders installed in production using SAAB modifications 6231, 
6243, and 6249 or installed in-service using SAAB Service Bulletins 
2000-34-066, 2000-34-072, and 2000-34-076.
    (iv) Bombardier Aerospace (Canadair) airplanes Model CL-600-2B16 
(604 Variant) that had P/N 622-9210-008 transponders installed and 
incorporated the corrective actions recommended in the Bombardier 
Advisory Wire AW 604-34-0078 using the instructions in Bombardier 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 604-34-054 (drawing 604-70482 Engineering 
Order, Revison D-1) or using a service request for product support. 
Bombardier Aerospace (Canadair) airplanes Model CL-600-2B19 (RJ100 
and RJ200) that had P/N 622-9210-008 transponders installed in 
production using Bombardier Aerospace Modification TC601R16789 or in 
service using Bombardier Aerospace Service Bulletin 601R-34-142 
(Modification TC601R16790).
    (v) Cessna Aircraft Company Models 525, 525A, and 525B airplanes 
that had P/N 622-9352-008 transponders installed in production using 
Cessna Engineering Change Records (ECRs) 55298, 58654, and 59567; 
and Model 525B airplanes that had P/N 622-9352-008 transponders 
installed in service using Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin 
SB525B-34-03 or SB525B-34-08. Cessna Aircraft Company Models 525, 
525A, 525B, 560, and 560XL airplanes that had P/N 622-9210-008 
transponders installed in production using Cessna ECRs 55298, 58654, 
59567, 56135, and 58032; and Model 525B airplanes that had P/N 622-
9210-008 transponders installed in service using Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB525B-34-03 or SB525B-34-08.
    (vi) Piaggio Aero Industries Model P.180 (Avanti) airplanes that 
had P/N 622-9210-008 transponders installed in production using 
Piaggio modification 80-0773 or in service using Piaggio Service 
Bulletin SB-80-0227. Piaggio Aero Industries Model P.180 (Avanti II) 
airplanes that had P/N 622-9210-008 transponders installed in 
production using Piaggio modification 80-0588 and 80-0598.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by instances where the TDR-94 and TDR-94D 
Mode S transponders did not properly respond to Mode S Only All-Call 
interrogations when the airplane transitioned from a ground to 
airborne state. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct Mode S 
transponders that do not respond correctly to Mode S Only All-Call 
interrogations, which could result in increased pilot and air 
traffic controller workload as well as reduced separation of 
airplanes.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within the next 2 years after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the airplane type code category strapping setting for a 
value of zero (0) or one (1) following Rockwell Collins, Inc. 
Service Information Letter 07-2, 523-0810069-101000, Revision 1, 
dated September 2, 2008. If the airplane type code category 
strapping is set to a value of zero (0) or one (1), no further 
action is required by this AD.

(h) Modification

    If the airplane type code category strapping is not set to a 
value of zero (0) or one (1), within two years after the effective 
date of this AD, do the actions required in either paragraph (h)(1) 
or (h)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modify the airplane type code category strapping setting to 
a value of zero (0) or one (1) following Rockwell Collins, Inc. 
Service Information Letter 07-2, 523-0810069-101000, Revision 1, 
dated September 2, 2008.
    (2) Install a software upgrade to convert the part numbers of 
the transponders to the new part numbers using the following service 
information, as applicable:

    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: More than one of the 
bulletins may apply to your particular P/N transponder, but each 
bulletin brings different capabilities and associated costs. We 
recommend reviewing each bulletin to determine the optimal choice 
for your installation.

    (i) Service Bulletin 505, 523-0816034-001000, dated September 2, 
2008;
    (ii) Service Bulletin 507, 523-0816423-301000, Revision 3, dated 
December 5, 2011;
    (iii) Service Bulletin 508, 523-0817821-001000, dated September 
16, 2009; or
    (iv) Service Bulletin 509, 523-0817822-001000, dated September 
16, 2009.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ben Tyson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road,

[[Page 29387]]

Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4174; fax: 316-946-
4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Collins Aviation Services, 350 Collins Road 
NE., M/S 153-250, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; telephone: 888-265-
5467 (U.S.) or 319-265-5467; fax: 319-295-4941 (outside U.S.); 
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. 
You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 16, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-11846 Filed 5-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P