Airworthiness Directives; Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model ST3400 Terrain Awareness Warning System/Radio Magnetic Indicator (TAWS/RMI) Units Approved Under Technical Standard Order(s) C113, C151a, or C151b; Installed on Various Small and Transport Category Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 115 (Friday, June 13, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33663-33665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13165]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0290; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-250-AD; 
Amendment 39-15557; AD 2006-16-18 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model 
ST3400 Terrain Awareness Warning System/Radio Magnetic Indicator (TAWS/
RMI) Units Approved Under Technical Standard Order(s) C113, C151a, or 
C151b; Installed on Various Small and Transport Category Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI 
units as described above. The existing AD currently requires installing 
a warning placard on the TAWS/RMI and revising the Limitations section 
of the airplane flight manual (AFM). The existing AD also requires 
installing upgraded software in the TAWS/RMI. This new AD allows 
installing later revisions of the software described in the existing 
AD. This AD results from a report that an in-flight bearing error 
occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI configured to receive bearing 
information from a very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) 
receiver interface via a composite video signal, due to a combination 
of input signal fault and software error. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane departing from 
its scheduled flight path, which could result in a reduction in 
separation from, and a possible collision with, other aircraft or 
terrain.

DATES: This AD is effective July 18, 2008.
    On September 25, 2006 (71 FR 48461, August 21, 2006), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 
15, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel), 2401 Dogwood Way, Vista, 
California 92081.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://

[[Page 33664]]

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, 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: Ha A. Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5335; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an airworthiness directive (AD) to 
revise AD 2006-16-18, amendment 39-14718 (71 FR 48461, August 21, 
2006). The existing AD applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel) 
Model ST3400 terrain awareness warning system/radio magnetic indicator 
(TAWS/RMI) units approved under Technical Standard Order(s) C113, 
C151a, or C151b; as installed on various small and transport category 
airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register on 
March 13, 2008 (73 FR 13498) to require installing a warning placard on 
the TAWS/RMI, revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight 
manual (AFM), and installing upgraded software in the TAWS/RMI.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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

    This AD describes the installation of later revisions of software 
than those specified in AD 2006-16-18; however, this change imposes no 
new costs on operators. Costs are repeated here for operator 
convenience only.
    This AD affects about 300 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions 
take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is $24,000, or $80 per airplane.

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.
    We are 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

    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 
removing amendment 39-14718 (71 FR 48461, August 21, 2006) and adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-16-18 R1 Sandel Avionics Incorporated: Amendment 39-15557. 
Docket No. FAA-2007-0290; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-250-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 18, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2006-16-18.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel) 
Model ST3400 terrain awareness warning system/radio magnetic 
indicator (TAWS/RMI) units approved under Technical Standard 
Order(s) C113, C151a, or C151b; as identified in Sandel ST3400 
Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004; as 
installed on various small and transport category airplanes, 
certificated in any category, including, but not limited, to the 
airplane models listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                 Table 1.--Manufacturers/Airplane Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Manufacturer                       Airplane model(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus............................................  A300.
Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation (AMD/BA)..  Falcon 10.
Boeing............................................  727, 737, 747.
Bombardier (LearJet)..............................  24, 35, 36, 55.
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited............  Jetstream Series
                                                     3101.

[[Page 33665]]

 
Cessna............................................  208, 208B, 421C;
                                                     501, 525, 550, 560,
                                                     650, S550.
Embraer...........................................  EMB-120.
Dassault-Aviation.................................  Mystere-Falcon 50,
                                                     Mystere-Falcon 200.
Gulfstream........................................  G-I, G-1159A (G-III)
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)..................  1124, 1125 Westwind
                                                     Astra.
McDonnell Douglas.................................  DC-10.
Piper.............................................  PA-31T2.
Raytheon..........................................  58; 1900D, 400; A36;
                                                     BAe.125 Series
                                                     800A; HS.125 Series
                                                     600A/700A; Hawker
                                                     800-XP; 200, 300,
                                                     350; A200, B100,
                                                     B200, B300, C90,
                                                     C90A, C90B, E90,
                                                     F90; MU-300-10.
Sabreliner........................................  60 (NA-265-60).
Twin Commander....................................  500-A, 695A.
Viking Air Limited................................  DHC-6.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that an in-flight bearing 
error occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI unit configured to receive 
bearing information from a very high frequency omnidirectional range 
(VOR) receiver interface via a composite video signal, due to a 
combination of input signal fault and software error. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane 
departing from its scheduled flight path, which could result in a 
reduction in separation from, and a possible collision with, other 
aircraft or terrain.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installing Placard

    (f) Within 14 days after September 25, 2006 (the effective date 
of AD 2006-16-18): Install a placard on the TAWS/RMI which states, 
``NOT FOR PRIMARY VOR NAVIGATION,'' in accordance with Sandel ST3400 
Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004.

Revising Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (g) Within 14 days after September 25, 2006: Revise the 
Limitations section of the applicable AFM to include the following 
statement: ``Use of ST3400 TAWS/RMI for primary VOR navigation is 
prohibited unless the indicator has 3.07 or A3.06 software or 
later.'' This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the 
AFM.

Updating Software

    (h) Within 90 days after September 25, 2006, in accordance with 
Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01, Revision B, dated 
September 15, 2004: Field-load the TAWS/RMI with updated software 
having revision 3.07 (for units having serial numbers (S/Ns) under 
2000) or revision A3.06 (for units having S/Ns 2000 and subsequent). 
Revisions of software later than revision 3.07 or A3.06, as 
applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of this paragraph. The placard and AFM limitations 
revision installed as required by paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD 
may be removed after the software upgrade required by paragraph (h) 
of this AD has been accomplished.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of 90 days after September 25, 2006, no person may 
install, on any airplane, a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI unit, unless it 
has been modified in accordance with Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin 
SB3400-01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-01, 
Revision B, dated September 15, 2004, to do the actions required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Sandel ST3400 Service Bulletin SB3400-
01, Revision B, dated September 15, 2004 on September 25, 2006 (71 
FR 48461, August 21, 2006).
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sandel Avionics Incorporated (Sandel), 2401 Dogwood Way, Vista, 
California, 92081.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information that is 
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or 
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 2008.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13165 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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