Federal Register: November 5, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 214)
DOCID: FR Doc 02-28052
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2000-CE-13-AD; Amendment 39-12939; AD 2002-22-13]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Airworthiness directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. FMC-4200, FMC- 5000, and FMC-6000 Flight Management Computers
DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 20, 2002.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) FMC4200, FMC5000, and FMC6000 flight management computers (FMC) that are installed on airplanes. This AD requires you to remove the affected FMC unit and replace it with a new FMC unit or an FMC unit that has been modified to correct a problem with the flight management system (FMS) accepting new information when an existing procedure or flight plan is changed. This AD is the result of a report that an aircraft proceeded beyond the published altitude constraint on an arrival procedure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the FMC from retaining and displaying original altitude constraints when an edit or a replacement is made to a procedure or flight plan that shares a waypoint with another procedure or an airway, and there is an altitude constraint on the shared waypoint. Such a condition could cause the pilot to fly the airplane out of the range of the correct altitude constraint. This condition could result in air traffic control or the pilot making flight decisions that put the airplane in unsafe flight conditions.
SUMMARY:
Rockwell Collins,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The FAA received a report of an incident that occurred during a flight arriving in Toronto, Ontario. A change in the flight management computer (FMC) had been made to the original flight plan changing the altitude constraint to 8,000 feet 11,000 feet. However, the flight management system (FMS) retained the altitude constraint of the original flight plan of 10,000 feet14,000 feet. The pilot was unaware of this situation occurring, which resulted in the descent of the airplane beyond the published altitude constraint on the arrival procedure.
When the FMC is operating correctly and a change is made, the FMS allows the pilot to delete information associated with a procedure or flight plan by deleting the procedure or by replacing the procedure.
Rockwell Collins FMC4200, FMC5000, and FMC6000 flight management
computers could be installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft:
[sbull] Raytheon Model Beechjet 400A and Model 400T (T1A) airplanes;
[sbull] Bombardier Model CL6002B19 Regional Jet Series 100 airplanes; and
[sbull] Bombardier Model CL6002B16 (variant CL604) airplanes.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? As described above, such erroneous altitude constraints retained by the FMS could cause the pilot to fly the airplane out of the range of the correct altitude constraint. This condition could result in air traffic control or the pilot making flight decisions that put the airplane in unsafe flight conditions.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Rockwell Collins FMC4200, FMC5000, and FMC6000 flight management computers (FMC) that are installed on airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 10, 2002 (67 FR 45678). The NPRM proposed to require you to remove the affected FMC unit and replace it with a new FMC unit or an FMC unit that has been modified to correct a problem with the flight management system (FMS) accepting new information when an existing procedure or flight plan is changed.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following
presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to each comment:
Comment Issue No. 1: List Affected FMC Units by Part Numbers in Addition to Model Number
What is the commenter's concern? Two commenters state that there are numerous part numbers associated with each FMC model number that are not affected by the proposed AD. The commenters state that only seven part numbers are actually affected by the proposed AD as specified in Rockwell Collins Operator Bulletin 9911, dated September 1999. The way the proposed AD is currently written, an owner/operator of an aircraft with any of the specified model FMCs installed would be subject to the proposed AD. Therefore, adding specific affected part numbers in the AD will significantly reduce the burden on owners/ operators of aircraft equipped with the specified FMC model.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the
commenters and will clearly identify the seven affected FMC part numbers in the AD.
[[Page 67298]]
Comment Issue No. 2: Remove the Manufacturer's Service Bulletins From
the Procedures Requirements of the Proposed AD and List Acceptable Replacement FMC Part Numbers
What is the commenter's concern? The corrective action required is to modify the affected FMC unit. Only a Rockwell Collins Service Center is authorized to modify (rework) the affected FMC units. The modification includes changing the FMC part number when the unit is reworked. Therefore, it is irrelevant whether an owner/operator has a reworked unit or a newly manufactured unit installed provided the part number is correct.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the
commenters and will include a list of acceptable replacement part
numbers in the proposed AD. We will not reference the individual service bulletins in the AD.
Comment Issue No. 3: Add a Note in the AD Alerting Owners/Operators
That Certain FMC Part Numbers Affect Other Installed Avionics Units
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter states that all of the FMC corrective actions involve a change in the FMC part number. Before a part number has been certified for installation on the particular aircraft, through either the Type Certification or Supplemental Type Certification process, you should also determine whether additional avionics units need to be upgraded at the same time to be compatible with the selected FMC part number. The commenter suggests that a note to this effect be included in the AD.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the commenter and will include a note in the AD to address this concern.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the additions
discussed previously and minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these additions and minor corrections:
[sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
[sbull] Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that 700 affected Rockwell Collins FMC4200, FMC5000, and FMC6000 flight management computers could be installed on airplanes in the U.S. registry. Some airplanes have more than one unit installed.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification:
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per FMC unit
4 workhours per FMC unit X $60 per $500 per FMC unit... $740 hour = $240..
Compliance Time of This AD
What would be the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 24 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.''
Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of hours timeinservice (TIS)? The compliance of this AD is presented in calendar time instead of hours TIS because the condition exists regardless of airplane operation. The FMS retention of invalid altitude constraint information could occur regardless of the number of times and hours the airplane was operated. For these reasons, FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in order to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in a reasonable time period on all airplanes that have an affected Rockwell FMC4200, FMC5000, or FMC6000 flight management computer installed.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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, Safety. Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under 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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
20022213 Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Amendment 3912939; Docket No. 2000CE13AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Rockwell Collins flight management computers (FMC) specified in
paragraph (a)(1) that are installed on, but not limited to, the aircraft specified in paragraph (a)(2).
(1) Rockwell Collins flight management computers: The following presents the affected FMC models and part numbers:
Affected FMC
Affected FMC model No. Collins part No.
FMC4200.............................................. 8220783002
FMC4200.............................................. 8220783006
FMC4200.............................................. 8220783010
FMC5000.............................................. 8220891001
FMC6000.............................................. 8220868004
FMC6000.............................................. 8220868010
FMC6000.............................................. 8220868021
(2) Affected airplanes: The following presents a list of aircraft (certificated in any
[[Page 67299]]
category) that the affected Rockwell Collins FMC units are installed on (other airplanes could have the installation):
Type certificate holder Affected airplanes
Raytheon............................ Model Beechjet 400A and Model 400T (T1A).
Bombardier.......................... Model CL6002B19 Regional Jet
Series 100 and Model CL6002B16 (variant CL604).
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
an aircraft equipped with one of the affected FMCs must comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent the FMC from retaining original
information when an edit is made to a procedure or flight plan. Such
a condition could cause the pilot to fly the airplane out of the
range of the correct altitude constraint. This condition could
result in air traffic control or the pilot making flight decisions that put the airplane in unsafe flight conditions.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
Actions Compliance
(1) Remove the affected FMC unit Within the next 24 calendar
specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this months after December 20, 2002
AD and install a modified or new FMC (the effective date of this
unit (as specified in paragraph (e) of AD), unless already this AD) in accordance with the accomplished.
applicable maintenance manual.
(2) Do not install, on any aircraft, an As of December 20, 2002 (the
affected FMC unit specified in effective date of this AD). paragraph (a)(1) of this AD that has
not been modified to the replacement
part number specified in paragraph (e)
of this AD.
Note 1: When selecting a replacement FMC part number, determine
if the part number has been certified for installation on the
particular aircraft through either the Type Certification or
Supplemental Type Certification process. Also, determine whether
additional avionics units must be upgraded at the same time to be compatible with the selected replacement FMC part number.
(e) What are the acceptable replacement FMC part numbers?
Acceptable replacement FMC part FMC affected part No. No.
8220783002.......................... 8220783011 or 8220783013
8220783006.......................... 8220783011 or 8220783013
8220783010.......................... 8220783011 or 8220783013
8220891001.......................... 8220891005 or 8220891008
8220868004.......................... 8220868029, 8220868030, 822
0868031, or 8220868032
8220868010.......................... 8220868029, 8220868030, 822
0868031, or 8220868032
8220868021.......................... 8220868029, 8220868030, 822
0868031, or 8220868032
(f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been 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 (f) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(g) Where can I get information about any alreadyapproved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roger A. Souter, FAA,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Rm
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 9464134; facsimile:
(316) 9464407. Email address: Roger.Souter@faa.gov.
(h) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on December 20, 2002.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 28, 2002. Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 0228052 Filed 11402; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013U
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Roger A. Souter, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Rm 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 9464134; facsimile: (316) 9464407. Email address: Roger.Souter@faa.gov.