Airworthiness Directives; Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM Transceivers

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61144-61146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23143]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-68-AD; Amendment 39-13825; AD 2004-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM 
Transceivers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 61145]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM transceivers. This AD 
requires adding an aircraft flight manual (AFM) limitation to the 
Limitations Section of the AFM, and cockpit placard due to the 
intermittent malfunctioning of the transceiver, or removing the 
affected transceiver from service. This AD results from reports of 
crewmembers having difficulty communicating with Air Traffic Control 
and other aircraft due to the AR 4201 VHF AM transceiver's inability to 
block interference from transmitters operating on frequencies other 
than those set in the transceiver. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
difficulty in communicating with Air Traffic Control and other aircraft 
due to intermittent malfunctioning of the transceiver.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD Docket at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Setser, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7173; fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies 
to Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM transceivers. We published 
the proposed AD in the Federal Register on May 20, 2004 (69 FR 29108). 
That action proposed to require adding an aircraft flight manual (AFM) 
limitation to the Limitations Section of the AFM, and cockpit placard 
due to the intermittent malfunctioning of the transceiver, or removing 
the affected transceiver from service.
    Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD Docket (including 
any comments and service information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See 
ADDRESSES for the location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are 9,349 Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM 
transceivers of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. There are 
about 1,000 transceivers installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We 
estimate that it would take about 2 work hours per transceiver to 
inspect and or remove a transceiver from service, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. The average retail cost of an AR 4201 
transceiver is $1,149. If all transceivers were replaced, the total 
purchase cost would be about $1,149,000. Based on these figures, the 
total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to replace transceivers is 
estimated to be $1,279,000.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-68-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2004-21-04 Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH: Amendment 39-13825. Docket No. 
2003-NE-68-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 19, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM 
transceivers, with serial numbers (SNs) 0150 through 9499.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of crewmembers having 
difficulty communicating with Air Traffic Control and other aircraft 
due to the AR 4201 VHF AM transceiver's inability to block 
interference from transmitters operating on frequencies other than 
those set in the transceiver. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
difficulty in communicating with Air Traffic Control and other 
aircraft due to intermittent malfunctioning of the transceiver.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within five days after the effective date of this AD, 
unless the actions have already been done.
    (f) For installed Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM 
transceivers, inspect the SN. If the transceiver does not have an 
affected SN, no further action is required.
    (g) If the transceiver has an affected SN, and does not have 
Change Index 02 or higher index number marked on it, do the 
following:
    (1) Add an aircraft flight manual (AFM) limitation to the 
Limitations Section of the AFM, that restricts transceiver usage to 
VFR operations, and add a placard to the cockpit within view of the 
pilot that states, in \1/4\ inch-high or higher characters, ``Use of 
Becker Comm Equipment AR 4201 is restricted to VFR operations''; or
    (2) Remove the transceiver from service.
    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR 4201 VHF AM transceiver with an affected 
SN that does not have Change Index 02 or higher index number marked 
on it, unless it was removed to determine the SN or to check for 
Change Index 02 or higher index number.

Terminating Action

    (i) If you later install a transceiver that is not listed in 
this AD or install a transceiver that is marked with Change Index 02 
or higher index number, remove the limitation from the Limitations 
Section of the AFM, and placard if present, that are specified in 
paragraph (g)(1).

[[Page 61146]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

Related Information

    (l) LBA airworthiness directive No. 2003-234, dated August 21, 
2003, and Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH Service Bulletin No. AR 4201-01/
03; dated July 22, 2003, also pertain to the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 8, 2004.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-23143 Filed 10-14-04; 8:45 am]
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