[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1088]
Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 18, 1994 /
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 18, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 11
Tuesday, January 18, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 92-CE-60-AD; Amendment 39-8799; AD 94-02-02]
Airworthiness Directives: Rockwell International/Collins Air
Transport Division DME-700 Distance Measuring Equipment
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Rockwell International/Air Transport Division (Collins) DME-
700 distance measuring equipment (DME) installed on aircraft. This
action requires modifying these DME units to ensure they are
functioning properly. Several reports of the affected DME units failing
to process and update distance outputs, and reports of these units
establishing a continuous restart mode upon power application prompted
this AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
improper operation of this equipment, which could result in
navigational errors.
DATES: Effective February 21, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Rockwell International/Collins Air Transport Division, 400 Collins
Road, NE; Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. This information may also be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger A. Souter, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,
room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4134; facsimile (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations to include an AD that applies to certain Collins
DME-700 distance measurement equipment installed on aircraft was
published in the Federal Register on January 25, 1993 (58 FR 5949). The
action proposed to require modifying these DME units to ensure that
they are functioning properly. The proposed modifications would be
accomplished in accordance with the following Collins service bulletins
(SB) (1) SB 20, Revision 1, DME-700-34-20, dated August 30, 1991, which
when incorporated prevents a condition known as ``sleeping DME's''; and
(2) Collins SB 24, DME-700-34-24, dated May 15, 1992; Collins SB 25,
DME-700-34-25, dated November 11, 1992; and Collins SB 26, DME-700-34-
26, dated October 21, 1992, as applicable, which when incorporated
prevent a condition known as ``deaf DME's''.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Based on the comments received, the
proposal was changed to add a modification that went beyond the scope
of that which was originally proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA issued a supplementary NPRM that incorporated
minor revisions and added the additional modification. The proposed
actions specified in the Supplemental NPRM would be accomplished in
accordance with the following, as applicable:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part Nos. applicable
Collins SB/condition Date (622-4540-XXX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB 20, Revision 1/ Aug. 30, 1991....... All applicable DME-700
Sleeping. Units, -020, -120, with
serial number 1 through
4247.
SB 25/Deaf and Distance Nov. 11, 1992....... All applicable DME-700
Jumping. Units, converts -020, -
021, or -022 to -023.
SB 20 most be installed
prior to or in
conjunction with SB 25.
SB 24 is incorporated
by SB 25.
SB 26/Deaf and Distance Oct. 21, 1992....... All applicable DME-700
Jumping. Units, converts -120,
or -121, to -122. SB 20
most be installed prior
to or in conjunction
with SB 26. SB 26
eliminates the need for
SB 21.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested persons were again afforded an opportunity to comment on
the proposed action. Due consideration has been given to the five
comments received.
Two commenters concur with the proposed rule as written.
Another commenter (Collins) states that there are two errors in the
part numbers referenced in the proposed AD: (1) part number (P/N) 622-
4540-022 was referenced as P/N 622-4540-22 in the Applicability section
of the AD; and (2) in the chart in paragraph (c) of the proposed AD,
the sentence that consists of the following words: ``All applicable
DME-700 Units, Converts -022, -021, or -022 to -023.'' should be
changed to ``All applicable DME-700 Units, Converts -020, -021, or -022
to -023.'' The FAA concurs and has changed the proposed AD accordingly.
One commenter reports that the Airbus Model A330 airplane is not
yet certificated, and should not be included in the list of affected
airplane models. The FAA concurs that this airplane is not certificated
and has deleted it from the list of possible affected airplanes.
However, the Applicability section of the proposed AD is worded as
``DME equipment that is installed on, but not limited to, the following
model airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in any category:''.
If this airplane would become certificated for operation with the
Collins DME-700 equipment, then this action would apply to these
airplanes.
Another commenter states that these DME units were never
certificated on Boeing Model B757 airplanes, and should therefore be
removed from the applicability of the proposed AD. The FAA concurs and
has revised the proposed AD accordingly.
This same commenter suggests several minor editorial revisions and
corrections to increase the understanding of the proposed AD. The FAA
concurs that these changes would improve clarity and has revised the
proposed AD accordingly.
After careful review of all available information including the
comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
the changes referenced above and minor editorial corrections. The FAA
has determined that these changes and corrections will not change the
meaning of the AD nor add any additional burden upon the public than
was already proposed.
The condition specified by the required action is not caused by
actual hours time-in-service (TIS) of the airplane that the equipment
is installed in. There is no correlation between improper operation of
the equipment and the age or number of times the equipment is utilized.
Based on this, the compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar
time instead of hours TIS.
The FAA estimates that 518 DME-700 units installed on airplanes in
the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take
approximately 7 workhours per unit to accomplish the required action,
and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts
will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the owner/operator.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $199,430. This cost figure is based on the
assumption that none of the affected airplane owners/operators have
accomplished the required action.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ``ADDRESSES''.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new AD:
94-02-02 Rockwell International/Collins Air Transport Division:
Amendment 39-8799; Docket No. 92-CE-60-AD.
Applicability: DME-700 distance measuring equipment (all serial
numbers) (part numbers 622-4540-020, 622- 4540-021, 622-4540-022,
622-4540-120, and 622-4540-121), that is installed on, but not
limited to, the following model airplanes (all serial numbers),
certificated in any category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing............................. B737, B747-400, and B767.
McDonnell Douglas.................. MD 80, MD 11.
Airbus............................. A300, A310, A300-600, A320, and
A340.
Fokker............................. F-100.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance: Required within the next 12 calendar months after
the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent improper operation of these DME units, which could
result in navigational errors, accomplish the following:
(a) Ensure that Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) 429 distance
outputs are processed and updated by modifying the distance
measuring equipment in accordance with the applicable service
information presented in the chart in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(b) Ensure proper initialization and correct DME distance
indication by modifying the distance measuring equipment in
accordance with the applicable service information presented in the
chart in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be accomplished in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions section of the applicable
service bulletins (SB) presented in the following chart:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part Nos. applicable
Collins SB/condition Date (622-4540-XXX)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB 20, Revision 1/ Aug. 30, 1991....... All applicable DME-700
Sleeping. Units, -020, -120, with
serial number 1 through
4247.
SB 25/Deaf, Sleeping, Nov. 11, 1992....... All applicable DME-700
and Distance Jumping. Units, converts -020, -
021, or -022 to -023.
SB 20 must be installed
prior to or in
conjunction with SB 25.
SB 24 is incorporated
by SB 25.
SB 26/Deaf, Sleeping, Oct. 21, 1992....... All applicable DME-700
and Distance Jumping. Units, converts -120 or
-121 to -122. SB 20
must be installed prior
to or in conjunction
with SB 26. SB 26
eliminates the need for
SB21.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The sleeping DME modification referenced in SB 20 was
incorporated at manufacture beginning with serial number 4248.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita,
Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to
the Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(f) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Collins Service Bulletin 20, Revision 1, DME-700-34-
20, dated August 30, 1991; Collins Service Bulletin 25, DME-600-34-
25, dated November 11, 1992; and Collins Service Bulletin 26, DME-
700-34-26, dated October 21, 1992, as applicable. This incorporation
by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Rockwell International/Collins Air Transport Division,
400 Collins Road, NE; Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment (39-8799) becomes effective on February 21,
1994.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 11, 1994.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1088 Filed 1-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
