[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 240 (Monday, December 14, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80686-80689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27281]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0883; Project Identifier 2019-CE-034-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. Flight Display 
System Application

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 
2019-12-09, which applies to certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell 
Collins) FDSA-6500 flight display system applications installed on 
airplanes. AD 2019-12-09 imposes operating limitations on the traffic 
collision avoidance system (TCAS). AD 2019-12-09 was prompted by 
conflict between the TCAS display indications and aural alerts that may 
occur during a resolution advisory (RA) scenario. This proposed AD 
would retain the requirements of AD 2019-12-09 until a software upgrade 
is completed. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28, 
2021.

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 https://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 NPRM, contact Rockwell 
Collins at Collins Aviation Services, 400 Collins Road NE, M/S 164-100, 
Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; phone: 319-295-9258; fax: 319-295-4351; 
email: [email protected]; website: https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. You may 
view the service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0883; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nhien Hoang, Aviation Safety Engineer,

[[Page 80687]]

Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
phone: (316) 946-4157; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected] 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2020-0883; 
Project Identifier 2019-CE-034-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Nhien 
Hoang, Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4157; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Any commentary 
that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will 
be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued a final rule; request for comment to add AD 2019-12-
09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 FR 32260, dated July 8, 2019), (AD 2019-12-
09) for certain part-numbered Rockwell Collins FDSA-6500 flight display 
system applications. These applications may be installed on, but not 
limited to, Bombardier Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) airplanes 
and Textron Aviation Inc. Models 525B, B200, B200C, B200CGT, B200GT, 
B300, B300C, and C90GTi airplanes. AD 2019-12-09 resulted from a report 
that a conflict could occur between the TCAS primary cockpit display 
indications and the aural alerts during an RA scenario. During testing 
of a full flight simulator on a development program, the TCAS fly-to/
avoidance cue indication on the primary cockpit displays conflicted 
with other TCAS system information, such as aural cues, during an RA 
scenario. While the aural alert will provide the pilot with accurate 
information to resolve the RA, that information is not accurately 
represented by the TCAS fly-to/avoidance cue display. Specifically, the 
TCAS fly-to/avoidance cue is displayed relative to the aircraft horizon 
line instead of the aircraft symbol. Rockwell Collins determined that 
the data from the TCAS is being translated incorrectly by the FDSA-6500 
software prior to display of the RA pitch indications.
    AD 2019-12-09 prohibited operation with the TCAS in TA/RA mode by 
requiring a revision to the Limitations section of the airplane flight 
manual (AFM) or AFM supplement (AFMS) and by fabricating and installing 
a placard on each aircraft primary flight display. The FAA issued AD 
2019-12-09 to prevent the pilot from over-correcting or under-
correcting for aircraft separation, which may result in a mid-air 
collision.
    The FAA issued AD 2019-12-09 as interim action. This NPRM would 
retain the operating prohibition of AD 2019-12-09 and would require 
installing updated software on the flight data system applications 
within 12 months. Once the software is upgraded, this NPRM proposes to 
allow removal of the limitations and placard. Because these proposed 
requirements would have a longer compliance time, the FAA is providing 
the public an opportunity to comment.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter FDSA-
6500-19-1, Revision No. 2, dated June 12, 2019. This service 
information letter contains information regarding hardware and software 
compatibility for the FDSA-6500 flight display system and provides 
software download instructions. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain the placard and operating 
requirements of AD 2019-12-09 and require updating the FDSA-6500 
software. After this software update, this proposed AD would allow 
removal of the placard and operating limitations required by AD 2019-
12-09.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 932 FDSA-6500 flight display system applications installed on 
311 airplanes worldwide. The FAA has no way of knowing the number of 
FDSA-6500 applications installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry. The 
estimated cost on U.S. operators reflects the maximum possible cost 
based on worldwide applications.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the Limitations section    .5 work-hour x $85  Not applicable....  $42.50 (per         Up to $13,217.50.
 of the AFM or AFMS.               per hour = $42.50.                      airplane).
Fabricate and install a placard.  .5 work-hour x $85  Negligible........  $42.50 (per         Up to $39,610.
                                   per hour = $42.50.                      primary flight
                                                                           display).

[[Page 80688]]

 
FDSA-6500 software upgrade......  1 work-hour x $85   Not applicable....  $85 (per primary    Up to $79,220.
                                   per hour = $85.                         flight display).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2019-12-09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 
FR 32260, dated July 8, 2019); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2020-0883; Project Identifier 
2019-CE-034-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 28, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-12-09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 FR 32260, 
dated July 8, 2019) (AD 2019-12-09).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rockwell Collins, Inc., (Rockwell Collins) 
Flight Display System Application FDSA-6500 part numbers (P/Ns) 810-
0234-1H0001, 810-0234-1H0002, 810-0234-1H0003, 810-0234-2H0001, 810-
0234-2C0001, 810-0234-2C0002, and 810-0234-4B0001. These 
applications are installed on, but not limited to, Bombardier Inc. 
Model CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) airplanes and Textron Aviation Inc. 
Models 525B, B200, B200C, B200CGT, B200GT, B300, B300C, and C90GTi 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3400, NAVIGATION 
SYSTEM.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a conflict between the traffic collision 
avoidance system (TCAS) primary display indications and aural alerts 
during a resolution advisory (RA) scenario. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent conflicting TCAS information, which could result in 
the pilot under-correcting or over-correcting and may lead to 
inadequate aircraft separation and a mid-air collision.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    (1) Within 30 days after July 23, 2019 (the effective date of AD 
2019-12-09), do the following:
    (i) Revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) or AFM supplement 
(AFMS) by adding the following text to the Limitations section: For 
TCAS II installations, during flight, do not operate TCAS in the 
``TA/RA'' mode; TCAS may only be operated in ``TA Only'' mode.
    (ii) Fabricate a placard for each aircraft primary flight 
display, using at least \1/8\ inch letters, with the following text: 
TCAS Flight Ops--TA Only mode (TA/RA mode prohibited).
    (iii) Install the placard on the bottom of each aircraft primary 
flight display bezel in the area depicted in figure 1 to paragraph 
(g)(1)(iii) of this AD.

[[Page 80689]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14DE20.087


    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1):  In ``TA/RA'' mode, the TA stands 
for traffic advisory and RA stands for resolution advisory.

    (2) In addition to the provisions of 14 CFR 43.3 and 43.7, the 
actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD 
may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 
private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft 
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 
43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must 
be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417. This authority is not 
applicable to aircraft being operated under 14 CFR part 119.
    (3) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
upgrade the FDSA-6500 field loadable software for your airplane as 
listed in the table in Section C and by following the instructions 
in Section F of Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter FDSA-
6500-19-1, Revision No. 2, dated June 12, 2019.
    (4) The airplane flight manual revision and placards required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be removed after completing the 
software upgrade required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.
    (5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
Rockwell Collins Flight Display System Application FDSA-6500 P/N 
810-0234-1H0001, 810-0234-1H0002, 810-0234-1H0003, 810-0234-2H0001, 
810-0234-2C0001, 810-0234-2C0002, or 810-0234-4B0001 on any 
airplane.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in Related Information.
    (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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Nhien Hoang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4157; fax: 
(316) 946-4107; email: [email protected] or [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rockwell Collins, Inc. at Collins Aviation Services, 400 Collins 
Road NE, M/S 164-100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; phone: (319) 295-
9258; fax: (319) 295-4351; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued on December 8, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-27281 Filed 12-11-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P