Airworthiness Directives; Airtell International, Inc., Centaurus Model C3-100 Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), as Installed in Various Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2898-2899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1351]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-242-AD; Amendment 39-9883; AD 97-01-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airtell International, Inc., Centaurus 
Model C3-100 Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), as Installed in 
Various Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airtell International, Inc., Centaurus Model C3-100 
GPWS equipment that is installed on any type of airplane, that requires 
replacement of this equipment with a similar type of equipment that 
meets specific performance requirements. This amendment is prompted by 
results of an investigation, which revealed that, under certain 
circumstances, the Centaurus GPWS equipment does not provide the flight 
crew with aural warnings to indicate that the airplane is descending. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
GPWS equipment to provide such aural warnings. If the flight crew 
relies on receiving such warnings and the GPWS equipment fails to 
provide those warnings, the ability of the flight crew to prevent the 
airplane from impacting the ground may be inhibited.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John P. Dimtroff, Aerospace Engineer, 
Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (206) 227-2117; fax (206) 227-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airtell International, Inc., 
Centaurus Model C3-100 ground proximity warning system (GPWS) equipment 
that is installed on any type of airplane was published in the Federal 
Register on October 18, 1996 (61 FR 54364). That action proposed to 
require removal and replacement of Centaurus Model C3-100 GPWS 
equipment with a similar type of equipment that meets specific 
performance requirements.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$16,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $516,000, or $17,200 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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, 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.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-01-12 Airtell International, Inc.: Amendment 39-9883. Docket [96-
NM-242-AD.]

    Applicability: Centaurus Model C3-100 ground proximity warning 
system (GPWS) equipment, as installed in, but not limited to, the 
following airplanes, certificated in any category:

Beech 99 series airplanes;
Beech 200 series airplanes;
Dassault Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 200 series airplanes;
EMBRAER (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) EMB-110 series 
airplanes;
Fairchild Aircraft Model SA226-TC series airplanes;
Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AT series airplanes; and

[[Page 2899]]

Grumman Model G-73 Mallard airplanes.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the GPWS equipment to provide certain 
aural warnings, which could inhibit the ability of the flight crew 
to prevent the airplane from impacting the ground, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
and replace Centaurus Model C3-100 GPWS equipment with a similar 
type of equipment that meets minimum performance standards specified 
in Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-92b, dated August 19, 1976. 
Accomplish the actions in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate.
    (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,
    Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111. Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Flight Test and Systems Branch, ANM-111.

    (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) This amendment becomes effective on February 25, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1351 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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