[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29193-29196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10930]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6616; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-004-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. Pitot Probes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rosemount Aerospace Model 851AK pitot probes that were repaired by CSI 
Aerospace, Inc. that are installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report that certain pitot probes are indicating the wrong 
airspeed during flight in icing conditions. This proposed AD would 
require inspecting the airplane to determine the number of affected 
pitot probes installed and replacing the affected pitot probes. We are 
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 27, 2016.

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.

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-2016-
6616; 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

[[Page 29194]]

available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Kim, Aerospace Engineer, Fort 
Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76177-1524; telephone: (817) 222-5131; fax: (817) 
222-5245; 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-2016-6616; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-004-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 received a report about erroneous airspeed data being 
transmitted from multiple Rosemount Aerospace Model 851AK pitot probes 
on a Boeing Aircraft Company Model B717 airplane when flying in icing 
conditions.
    Investigation revealed that the pitot probes had been repaired by 
CSI Aerospace, Inc. between January 2013 and July 2014. During the 
investigation, it was determined that the repaired pitot probes had 
constricted openings, which was caused by migration of the silver 
brazing material. Further investigation revealed that the brazing 
material migrated because the heater was not properly located during 
the repair process. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
incorrect airspeed indications during icing conditions, which could 
lead to loss of control. Due to design redundancy, this is only 
applicable if more than one deficient probe is installed.

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 airplane to determine 
the number of affected pitot probes installed and replacing the 
affected pitot probes if more than one is installed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 679 products installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect to determine the number of    1 work-hour x $85 per               N/A              N/A          $57,715
 defective pitot probes installed on   hour = $85.
 the airplane.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need 
these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                 Action                                Labor cost                  Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace defective pitot probe...........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85....          $6,750           $6,835
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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 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.

[[Page 29195]]

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):

Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2016-6616; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-CE-004-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 27, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. Model 851AK pitot 
probes that were repaired by CSI Aerospace Inc. and have a serial 
number listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that are known to be 
installed on but not limited to the airplanes listed in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) 53257, 61568, 68168, 69913, 69953, 71802, 71820, 73010, 
73406, 75549, 75555, 80491, 83809, 84200, 84495, 84911, 84922, 
85317, 85731, 87225, 87234, 87235, 87241, 87272, 87512, 87551, 
87909, 88912, 90538, 91606, 93291, 93292, 93293, 93305, 93941, 
93948, 93960, 94258, 94304, 94559, 94814, 94819, 95150, 95849, 
97405, 99498, 99509, 100105, 100111, 100127, 100313, 100741, 101374, 
101500, 102054, 102309, 102502, 104604, 106134, 106139, 106381, 
106905, 107251, 107406, 107450, 107887, 108174, 108302, 108858, 
108859, 108967, 108970, 109119, 109122, 109124, 109128, 109393, 
109394, 109467, 109474, 109488, 109521, 109524, 109537, 109577, 
109795, 109798, 109799, 109810, 109946, 109954, 109958, 109962, 
109996, 110323, 110324, 110327, 110338, 110611, 110626, 110880, 
110895, 110956, 111061, 111066, 111315, 111320, 111432, 111561, 
111571, 111578, 111802, 111807, 112229, 112280, 112497, 112646, 
112657, 112677, 112779, 112781, 112783, 112979, 112993, 113025, 
113026, 113129, 113151, 113382, 113721, 113758, 113837, 113838, 
113843, 113845, 113920, 113934, 114130, 114147, 114152, 114157, 
114223, 114376, 114572, 114813, 114869, 114959, 114962A, 114966, 
115428, 115713, 116249, 116253, 116255, 116271, 116424, 116557, 
116734, 116792, 116994, 117022, 117144, 117310, 117412, 117414, 
117426, 117427, 117428, 117587, 117961, 118111, 118234, 118331, 
118637, 118639, 118770, 118938, 119115, 119281, 119290, 119414, 
119441, 119593, 119694, 119695, 119737, 119852, 120456, 120461, 
120728, 120823, 120825, 120826, 120829, 121040, 121041, 121110, 
121116, 121145, 121172, 121320, 121322, 121524, 121834, 121852, 
122662, 122934, 122935, 123286, 123289, 123330, 123745, 123746, 
123753, 123767, 124144, 124385, 124390, 124396, 124890, 125016, 
125021, 125077, 125163, 125174, 126785, 127449, 127894, 127899, 
128302, 128307, 129503, 130371, 130377, 130688, 131422, 131423, 
131752, 132065, 132067, 132297, 132825, 133103, 133161, 133220, 
133291, 133310, 133394, 133396, 133512, 133521, 134102, 134403, 
134535, 134537, 134639, 134675, 134681, 135136, 135234, 135246, 
135250, 135554, 135561, 135568, 135735, 135743, 136075, 136208, 
137049, 137398, 137543, 137544, 137642, 139076, 139081, 139433, 
139444, 139691, 139694, 139759, 139763, 139971, 139976, 140188, 
140565, 140643, 140649, 140650, 141161, 141356, 141362, 141497, 
141501, 141605, 141607, 142426, 142765, 142774, 142775, 143405, 
143409, 143411, 143418, 143816, 143818, 143988, 143992, 143999, 
144591, 144814, 144816, 144976, 146116, 146835, 147421, 148524, 
148765, 148777, 149460, 149464, 149510, 149941, 150206, 150211, 
150212, 150214, 150542, 150725, 151086, 151095, 151493, 152097, 
152819, 152922, 152969, 152974, 152981, 153232, 153453, 153625, 
153628, 153635, 153641, 153956, 153962, 153966, 153984, 154007, 
154156, 154704, 154721, 154738, 154741, 155003, 155042, 155045, 
155238, 155278, 155517, 156022, 156025, 156222, 156526, 156529, 
156672, 157023, 157137, 157143, 158393, 158790, 158797, 159033, 
159036, 159413, 159440, 159891, 160000, 160002, 160456, 160459, 
160463, 160466, 160468, 161137, 161139, 161159, 161177, 161184, 
161185, 161363, 161364, 161366, 162376, 162384, 162674, 162682, 
162685, 162688, 163176, 163178, 163181, 163557, 163559, 163602, 
164279, 164746, 164750, 164907, 164908, 165135, 165259, 165459, 
165805, 166235, 166324, 166325, 166326, 166331, 166477, 166481, 
166608, 166671, 166673, 166892, 167030, 167035, 167037, 167182, 
167341, 167556, 167559, 167705, 167707, 167709, 167763, 167764, 
167765, 167766, 167811, 195627, 195628, 195706, 195707, 195710, 
195796, 195833, 195876, 196041, 196042, 196045, 196137, 196234, 
196397, 196400, 196401, 196403, 196498, 196500, 196761, 197097, 
197140, 197143, 197238, 197657, 197874, 198528, 198687, 198775, 
198788, 198872, 199034, 199042, 199187, 199441, 199613, 199616, 
199669, 200293, 200324, 200534, 200535, 200538, 200737, 200738, 
200793, 200830, 200834, 200872, 201576, 201685, 201733, 201892, 
201893, 201964, 202053, 202305, 202306, 202469, 202471, 202472, 
202596, 202625, 202633, 202760, 202879, 202901, 203010, 203016, 
204629, 204665, 204714, 204820, 204821, 204822, 205249, 205253, 
205329, 205335, 205526, 205527, 205529, 205700, 205882, 205967, 
206273, 206406, 206436, 206441, 206646, 207019, 207020, 207021, 
207364, 207369, 207683, 207684, 207837, 207849, 207850, 208206, 
208381, 208394, 208396, 208543, 209148, 209698, 209704, 209707, 
212176, 212525, 212697, 212700, 213952, 213953, 214085, 214089, 
214144, 214795, 214803, 215392, 215476, 216214, 216509, 216951, 
216955, 216957, 217368, 217369, 217382, 217441, 217708, 217805, 
218112, 218610, 218613, 218757, 218761, 218958, 218965, 218967, 
218970, 218976, 219226, 219228, 219233, 219236, 219411, 219418, 
219832, 219840, 220990, 220991, 221197, 221286, 221635, 224540, 
224700, 224701, 224704, 224707, 224876, 225257, 225262, 225586, 
225910, 225974, 226133, 226136, 226465, 226466, 226467, 227159, 
227174, 227836, 227837, 229277, 230190, 230191, 230192, 230193, 
231082, 232015, 232681, 232684, 234534, 235621, 235628, 238097, 
239755, 239760, 239956, 242109, 242998, 243350, 243351, 245230, 
246792, 246851, 247007, 247302, 250747, 256327, 258614, 258861, 
258865, 260508, 262743, 262744, 263643, 263644, 263645, 263651, 
263700, 264117, 264119, 264122, 264123, 264125, 264193, 264738, 
265208, 265210, 265655, 265656, 265657, 265658, 268055, 268562, 
268564, 268565, 268566, 272372, 272592, 275276, 275663, 280433, 
280435, and 296902.
    (2) DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-
21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-
9B), DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-41, DC-9-51, DC-9-81 (MD-81), 
DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), MD-88, MD-90-30, 
and 717-200.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 3414, Airspeed/Mach Indicator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the pitot probes are 
indicating the wrong airspeed during flight in icing conditions. We 
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

(f) Compliance

    Do the actions in paragraphs (g) and (h)(1) through (h)(3) of 
this AD. If paragraphs (g), (h)(1), and (h)(2) of this AD have 
already been done before the effective date of this AD, then only 
paragraph (h)(3) of this AD applies.

 (g) Determine Number of Affected Pitot Probes Installed

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
airplane to determine the number of pitot probes identified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that are installed on the airplane.

(h) Replace Affected Pitot Probes

    (1) After the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, 
if it is determined that more than one pitot probe identified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD is installed on the airplane, within the 
next 2 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the pitot 
probes that are listed with pitot probes that do not have a serial 
number listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD so that no more than 
one pitot probe identified in paragraph (c)(1) is installed on any 
aircraft simultaneously.
    (2) After the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, 
if it is determined that no more than one pitot probe identified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD is installed on the airplane, no further 
action is required

[[Page 29196]]

except for the ongoing requirement in paragraph (h)(3) of this AD.
    (3) As of the effective date of this, do not install on any 
airplane a pitot probe having a serial number listed in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this AD, unless it has been repaired by CSI and has a date 
of August 1, 2014, or later.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth 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) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Jonathan Kim, 
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76177-1524; telephone: (817) 222-5131; fax: (817) 
222-5245; email: [email protected].

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 4, 2016.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10930 Filed 5-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P