[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29465-29467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14224]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-112-AD; Amendment 39-9656; AD 96-12-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328 Series Airplanes
Equipped with Honeywell GP-300 Guidance and Display Controller
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Dornier Model 328 series airplanes. This
action requires modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance and
display controllers. This amendment is prompted by reports of smoke and
fumes, due to a defective light bulb, emitting from the Honeywell GP-
300 guidance and display controller; and a report of failure of the
autopilot to disconnect manually. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit; or causing damage to the
circuit cards and various components, which may lock the autopilot into
the engaged mode. Locking of the autopilot into the engaged mode could
lead to the inability of the pilot to disconnect the autopilot, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective June 26, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 26, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 12, 1996.
[[Page 29466]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-112-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Materiel, P.O. Box 21111,
Phoenix, Arizona 85036. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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; telephone (310) 627-5345; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received several reports of
smoke and fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display
controller installed on Dornier Model 328 series airplanes. In
addition, the FAA received a report that the autopilot would not
disconnect manually; however, minutes later the ``FD AP Disp Ctrl''
circuit breaker opened on its own, and subsequently disconnected the
autopilot. Investigation revealed that the cause of these failures has
been attributed to a defective light bulb in the display controller
lighting circuit inside the GP-300 guidance and display controller. A
defective light bulb can cause a short circuit that emits smoke and
fumes into the cockpit. This condition, if not corrected, could impair
the flightcrew's ability to operate effectively in the cockpit.
A defective light bulb also can cause damage to the circuit cards
and various components, which may lock the autopilot into the engaged
mode; this situation could lead to the inability of the pilot to
disconnect the autopilot. This condition could adversely affect the
controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Honeywell Service Bulletin
7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996, which describes procedures for
modification of Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controllers
having part number (P/N) 7015327-901 or -902. The modification involves
installing a protection device on each of the circuit card assemblies
(CCA) that will limit the short circuit current of the lighting
circuits.
U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane
This airplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Explanation of Requirements of Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent a defective
light bulb from causing a short circuit that emits smoke and fumes into
the cockpit; or causing damage to the circuit cards and various
components, which may lock the autopilot into the engaged mode. Locking
of the autopilot into the engaged mode could lead to the inability of
the pilot to disconnect the autopilot, and adversely affect the
controllability of the airplane. This AD requires modification of
certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controllers. The actions
are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously.
Explanation of the Applicability of the Rule
When an unsafe condition results from the installation of an
appliance or other item that is installed in only one particular make
and model of aircraft, the FAA's general policy is to issue an AD so
that it is applicable to the aircraft, rather than the item. The reason
for this is simple: Making the AD applicable to the airplane model on
which the item is installed ensures that operators of those airplanes
will be notified directly of the unsafe condition and the action
required to correct it. While it is assumed that an operator will know
the models of airplanes that it operates, there is a potential that the
operator will not know or be aware of specific items that are installed
on its airplanes. Therefore, calling out the airplane model as the
subject of the AD prevents ``unknowing non-compliance'' on the part of
the operator. (The FAA recognizes that there are situations when an
unsafe condition exists in an item that is installed in many different
aircraft. In those cases, the FAA considers it impractical to issue
AD's against each aircraft; in fact, many times, the exact models and
numbers of aircraft on which the item is installed may not be known.
Therefore, in those situations, the AD is issued so that it is
applicable to the item; furthermore, those AD's usually indicate that
the item is known to be installed on, but not limited to, various
aircraft models.)
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES.
All communications received on or before the closing date for comments
will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the
comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's
ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the
effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-112-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
[[Page 29467]]
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from 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 part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-12-13 Dornier: Amendment 39-9656. Docket 96-NM-112-AD.
Applicability: Model 328 series airplanes, equipped with
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controller having part number
(P/N) 7015327-901 or -902; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit, or causing damage to
the circuit cards and various components, which may lock the
autopilot into the engaged mode, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, modify
the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controller, having P/N
7015327-901 or -902, in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin
7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Honeywell
Service Bulletin 7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996. 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 Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer
Support Materiel, P.O. Box 21111, Phoenix, Arizona 85036. Copies may
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 26, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-14224 Filed 6-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
