Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. Flight Display System Application

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 56 (Thursday, March 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15788-15790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06156]



[[Page 15788]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0883; Project Identifier 2019-CE-034-AD; Amendment 
39-21460; AD 2021-05-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. Flight Display 
System Application

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2019-
12-09 for certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) FDSA-6500 
flight display system applications installed on airplanes. AD 2019-12-
09 imposed operating limitations on the traffic collision avoidance 
system (TCAS). AD 2019-12-09 was prompted by conflict between the TCAS 
display indications and aural alerts that may occur during a resolution 
advisory (RA) scenario. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2019-12-
09 until a software upgrade is completed. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 29, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 29, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rockwell Collins at Collins Aviation Services, 400 Collins Road 
NE, M/S 164-100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; phone: (319) 295-9258; 
fax: (319) 295-4351; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services and Support/Publications.aspx. 
You may view this service information at the Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0883.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0883; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nhien Hoang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 
(316) 946-4157; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected] or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-12-09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 FR 
32260, July 8, 2019), (AD 2019-12-09). AD 2019-12-09 applied to certain 
part-numbered Rockwell Collins FDSA-6500 flight display system 
applications that may be installed on, but not limited to, Bombardier 
Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) airplanes and Textron Aviation 
Inc. Models 525B, B200, B200C, B200CGT, B200GT, B300, B300C, and C90GTi 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 14, 
2020 (85 FR 80686).
    AD 2019-12-09 prohibited operation with the TCAS in TA/RA mode by 
requiring a revision to the Limitations section of the airplane flight 
manual (AFM) or AFM supplement (AFMS) and by fabricating and installing 
a placard on each aircraft primary flight display. AD 2019-12-09 
resulted from a report that a conflict could occur between the TCAS 
primary cockpit display indications and the aural alerts during an RA 
scenario. The FAA issued AD 2019-12-09 as an interim action to address 
the immediate urgency to prevent the pilot from over-correcting or 
under-correcting for aircraft separation, which may result in a mid-air 
collision.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the actions of AD 2019-12-
09 and install updated software on the flight data system applications 
within 12 months. Once the software is upgraded, the FAA proposed to 
allow removal of the limitations and placard. Because the requirements 
proposed in the NPRM had a longer compliance time, the FAA provided the 
public an opportunity to comment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adoption of the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter FDSA-
6500-19-1, Revision No. 2, dated June 12, 2019. This service 
information letter contains information regarding hardware and software 
compatibility for the FDSA-6500 flight display system and provides 
software download instructions. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 932 FDSA-6500 flight display 
system applications installed on 311 airplanes worldwide. The FAA has 
no way of knowing the number of FDSA-6500 applications installed on 
airplanes of U.S. Registry. The estimated cost on U.S. operators 
reflects the maximum possible cost based on worldwide applications.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the Limitations section    .5 work-hour x $85  Not applicable....  $42.50 (per         Up to $13,217.50.
 of the AFM or AFMS.               per hour = $42.50.                      airplane).

[[Page 15789]]

 
Fabricate and install a placard.  .5 work-hour x $85  Negligible........  $42.50 (per         Up to $39,610.
                                   per hour = $42.50.                      primary flight
                                                                           display).
FDSA-6500 software upgrade......  1 work-hour x $85   Not applicable....  $85 (per primary    Up to $79,220.
                                   per hour = $85.                         flight display).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2019-12-09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 
FR 32260, July 8, 2019); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2021-05-17 Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Amendment 39-21460; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0883; Project Identifier 2019-CE-034-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 29, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-12-09, Amendment 39-19664 (84 FR 32260, 
July 8, 2019) (AD 2019-12-09).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rockwell Collins, Inc., (Rockwell Collins) 
Flight Display System Application FDSA-6500 part numbers (P/Ns) 810-
0234-1H0001, 810-0234-1H0002, 810-0234-1H0003, 810-0234-2H0001, 810-
0234-2C0001, 810-0234-2C0002, and 810-0234-4B0001. These 
applications are installed on, but not limited to, Bombardier Inc. 
Model CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) airplanes and Textron Aviation Inc. 
Models 525B, B200, B200C, B200CGT, B200GT, B300, B300C, and C90GTi 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3400, NAVIGATION 
SYSTEM.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a conflict between the traffic collision 
avoidance system (TCAS) primary display indications and aural alerts 
during a resolution advisory (RA) scenario. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent conflicting TCAS information, which could result in 
the pilot under-correcting or over-correcting and may lead to 
inadequate aircraft separation and a mid-air collision.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Actions

    (1) Within 30 days after July 23, 2019 (the effective date of AD 
2019-12-09), do the following:
    (i) Revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) or AFM supplement 
(AFMS) by adding the following text to the Limitations section: For 
TCAS II installations, during flight, do not operate TCAS in the 
``TA/RA'' mode; TCAS may only be operated in ``TA Only'' mode.
    (ii) Fabricate a placard for each aircraft primary flight 
display, using at least \1/8\ inch letters, with the following text: 
TCAS Flight Ops--TA Only mode (TA/RA mode prohibited).
    (iii) Install the placard on the bottom of each aircraft primary 
flight display bezel in the area depicted in figure 1 to paragraph 
(g)(1)(iii) of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): In ``TA/RA'' mode, the TA stands for 
traffic advisory and RA stands for resolution advisory.

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    (2) In addition to the provisions of 14 CFR 43.3 and 43.7, the 
actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD 
may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 
private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft 
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 
43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must 
be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417. This authority is not 
applicable to aircraft being operated under 14 CFR part 119.
    (3) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
upgrade the FDSA-6500 field loadable software for your airplane as 
listed in the table in Section C and by following the instructions 
in Section F of Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter FDSA-
6500-19-1, Revision No. 2, dated June 12, 2019.
    (4) The airplane flight manual revision and placards required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be removed after completing the 
software upgrade required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.
    (5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
Rockwell Collins Flight Display System Application FDSA-6500 P/N 
810-0234-1H0001, 810-0234-1H0002, 810-0234-1H0003, 810-0234-2H0001, 
810-0234-2C0001, 810-0234-2C0002, or 810-0234-4B0001 on any 
airplane.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in Related Information.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nhien Hoang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4157; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected] or [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter FDSA-6500-19-1, 
Revision No. 2, dated June 12, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Rockwell Collins service information identified in this 
AD, contact Rockwell Collins at Collins Aviation Services, 400 
Collins Road NE, M/S 164-100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; phone: 
(319) 295-9258; fax: (319) 295-4351; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


    Issued on February 25, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06156 Filed 3-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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