Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. CTL-92 Transponder Control Panels

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39431-39433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18707]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-12352; AD 2001-15-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. CTL-92 
Transponder Control Panels

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 
applies to certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) CTL-92 
transponder control panels that are installed on aircraft. This AD 
requires you to modify the altitude encoder inputs of the CTL-92 
transponder control panels. This AD is the result of reports of noise 
generation within the CTL-92 transponder control panels that the 
transponder can interpret and transmit as a random altitude. Air 
traffic control (ATC) and traffic alert and collision avoidance system 
(TCAS)-equipped aircraft can then interpret these erroneous random 
altitudes as valid altitudes. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent such erroneous altitude interpretations, which 
could result in reduced vertical separation or unsafe TCAS resolution 
advisories.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 20, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of August 
20, 2001.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule on or before September 7, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-22-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Rockwell Collins Inc., Business and Regional Systems, 400 Collins Road 
Northeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. You may examine this information 
at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-22-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Roger A. Souter, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4134; facsimile: (316) 946-4407; e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA has received reports of erroneous Mode C and Mode S random 
transponder transmissions from aircraft equipped with Gillham encoded 
altitude sources and certain Rockwell Collins CTL-92 transponder 
control panels. Rockwell Collins introduced new A6 circuit cards for 
these transponder control panels in September 2000.
    These circuit cards exhibit reduced ground integrity in the area of 
the Gillham input processing. This results in noise generation within 
the CTL-92 transponder control panels that the transponder can 
interpret and transmit as a random altitude. Air traffic control (ATC) 
and traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)-equipped 
aircraft can then interpret these erroneous random altitudes as valid 
altitudes.
    The following Rockwell Collins CTL-92 control unit part numbers are 
affected: 622-6523-204, 622-6523-205,

[[Page 39432]]

622-6523-206, 622-6523-207, and 622-6523-208.
    These Rockwell Collins CTL-92 transponder control panels could be 
installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft:

--Aerospatiale ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes;
--Saab Aircraft Models 340B and SF340A airplanes;
--Embraer EMB-120 series airplanes;
--deHavilland DHC-8 series airplanes; and
--Raytheon Models C90A, B200, 350, and 1900D airplanes.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Such erroneous altitude interpretations could result in reduced 
vertical separation or unsafe TCAS resolution advisories.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Rockwell Collins has issued Service Bulletin 33 (CTL-92-34-33), 
dated April 5, 2001. This service bulletin includes:

--Procedures for how to modify the altitude encoder inputs of these 
transponder control panels; and
--A list of part numbers and serial numbers of the affected CTL-92 
transponder control panels.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of this AD 
What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has reviewed all available information, including the 
service information referenced above, and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on type design aircraft that incorporate these Rockwell Collins 
CTL-92 transponder control panels;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected Rockwell Collins 
CTL-92 transponder control panels; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This AD Require?

    This AD requires you to modify the altitude encoder inputs of the 
CTL-92 transponder control panels. Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin 33 
(CTL-92-34-33), dated April 5, 2001, specifies the exact part numbers 
and serial numbers that are affected and includes procedures on how to 
modify these transponder control panels.

Will I Have the Opportunity To Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule?

     Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in reduced vertical separation or unsafe TCAS resolution 
advisories, FAA finds that notice and opportunity for public prior 
comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD?

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, we invite your 
comments on the rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date specified above. We may amend this rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this 
AD.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. 
That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly 
with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the 
style of this document is clear, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-22-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    These regulations 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, FAA has determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and 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 (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
Reference, 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 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:


[[Page 39433]]


2001-15-17  Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Amendment 39-12352; Docket No. 
2001-CE-22-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
CTL-92 transponder control panel part numbers 622-6523-204, 622-
6523-205, 622-6523-206, 622-6523-207, and 622-6523-208 (serial 
numbers as specified in Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin 33 (CTL-
92-34-33), dated April 5, 2001), that are installed in aircraft. 
These CTL-92 transponder control panels are installed in, but not 
limited to, the following aircraft that are certificated in any 
category:
    (1) Aerospatiale ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes;
    (2) Saab Aircraft Models 340B and SF340A airplanes;
    (3) Embraer EMB-120 series airplanes;
    (4) deHavilland DHC-8 series airplanes; and
    (5) Raytheon Models C90A, B200, 350, and 1900D airplanes.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
an aircraft equipped with one of the affected CTL-92 transponder 
control panels must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent erroneous altitude interpretations, 
which could result in reduced vertical separation or unsafe traffic 
alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) resolution advisories.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the altitude       Within the next 10    Modify in accordance
 encoder inputs of the CTL-    hours time-in-        with the
 92 transponder control        service (TIS) after   Accomplishment
 panels.                       August 20, 2001       Instructions
                               (the effective date   section of Rockwell
                               of this AD).          Collins Service
                                                     Bulletin 33 (CTL-92-
                                                     34-33), dated April
                                                     5, 2001.
(2) Do not install, on any    As of August 20,      Modify in accordance
 aircraft, an affected CTL-    2001 (the effective   with the
 92 transponder control        date of this AD).     Accomplishment
 panel that has not been                             Instructions
 modified as required by                             section of Rockwell
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.                        Collins Service
                                                     Bulletin 33 (CTL-92-
                                                     34-33), dated April
                                                     5, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) 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, approves 
your alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: This AD applies to any aircraft with the equipment 
installed as identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of 
whether the aircraft has been modified, altered, or repaired in the 
area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft 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 (e) 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.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact Roger A. Souter, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4134; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407, e-mail: [email protected].
    (g) 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.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin 33 (CTL-92-34-33), dated April 5, 
2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You can get copies from Rockwell Collins, Business and Regional 
Systems, 400 Collins Road Northeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. You 
can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on August 20, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 19, 2001.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18707 Filed 7-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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