AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
Rockwell Collins TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode select (S) transponders that
are installed on airplanes. This AD was prompted by instances where the
TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode S transponders did not properly respond to Mode
S Only All-Call interrogations when the airplane transitioned from a
ground to airborne state. This AD requires inspecting the setting of
the airplane type code category strapping and requires either modifying
the airplane type code category setting or installing the software
upgrade to convert the affected transponders to the new part number. We
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 14, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 14,
2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Collins Aviation Services, 350 Collins Road
NE., M/S 153-250, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; telephone: 888-265-5467
(U.S.) or 319-265-5467; fax: 319-295-4941 (outside U.S.); email:
techmanuals@rockwellcollins.com; Internet: http://
www.rockwellcollins.com/ServicesandSupport/
Publications.aspx. You may review this referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0326; 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 (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: Ben Tyson, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4174; fax: 316-946-4107; email:
ben.tyson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Rockwell Collins
TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode select (S) transponders that are installed on
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 22, 2014,
(79 FR 29384). The NPRM was prompted by instances where the TDR-94 and
TDR-94D Mode S transponders did not properly respond to Mode S Only
All-Call interrogations when the airplane transitioned from a ground to
airborne state.
We were notified that Bombardier CL604 airplanes in Eurocontrol
airspace were not transmitting the appropriate Mode S replies. In at
least one case, the flight crews switched to the other installed
transponder, resulting in normal operation. Rockwell Collins, Inc.
confirmed that other types of airplane could exhibit this same unsafe
condition. As a result of the issue in Eurocontrol airspace, EASA
issued Airworthiness Directive 2010-0003R1, effective date January 11,
2010.
The TDR-94 and TDR-94D Mode S transponder internal software does
not correctly implement the air/ground override function when the
airplane type code strapping is set to any value other than (1) or (0)
and the airplane rotation speed is greater than 100 knots. The error in
the air/ground override function inhibits the Mode S Only All-Call
replies.
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the setting of the airplane
type code category strapping and require either modifying the airplane
type code category setting or installing the software upgrade to
convert the affected transponders to the new part number. We are
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to the comment.
Request
Kevin Lorrigan requested we add Beechcraft Models B300, B300C, and
Hawker 900XP airplanes to paragraph (c), Applicability, to the AD
because typically these airplanes are equipped with the TDR-94 or TDR-
94D transponders with weight-on-wheels input.
The FAA agrees those airplanes were equipped with the TDR-94 or
TDR-94D transponders when they were delivered from the factory.
However, we disagree with adding these airplanes to paragraph (c),
Applicability, of the AD. After we consulted with Beechcraft and
reviewed their production records, we determined these airplanes are
unaffected in their original ``as-delivered'' configurations. The
airplanes were delivered with the TDR-94 or TDR-94D transponders, but
they were strapped in such a manner that they remain unaffected.
Paragraph (c), Applicability, of this AD is not intended as all-
inclusive. Paragraph (c) of this AD states, ``. . . transponders that
are installed on but not limited to the airplanes . . .'' and gives a
partial listing of airplanes known to have the affected transponders
installed. Due to the possibility of modification of the airplane after
delivery, each owner must evaluate the airplane's current configuration
to determine compliance with the AD.
We did not change the final rule AD action based on this comment.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 29384, May 22, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 29384, May 22, 2014).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 8,000 products installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S.
operators |
Inspect the setting of the airplane
type category strapping. |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
Not applicable |
$85 |
$680,000 |
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary corrections
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of airplane that might need these
corrections:
On-Condition Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Modify the airplane type code
category strapping. |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $85 |
Not applicable |
$85 |
Convert the part number of the
equipment.
|
2 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $170 |
See conversion parts cost
table. |
Varies depending on applicable
part number or service bulletin. |
Conversion Parts Cost Table -
TDR-94 and TDR-94D
Starting part number |
Service bulletin 505 |
Service bulletin 507 |
Service bulletin 508 |
Service bulletin 509 |
-007 |
N/A |
$5,886 |
$12,636 |
$18,465 |
-008 |
$2,323 |
5,886 |
3,414 |
9,429 |
-108 |
2,323 |
N/A |
N/A |
6,816 |
-207 |
N/A |
5,886 |
9,234 |
15,057 |
-308 |
2,323 |
5,886 |
3,414 |
9,429 |
-309 |
N/A |
5,886 |
3,414 |
9,429 |
-310 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
6,183 |
-408 |
2,323 |
N/A |
N/A |
3,414 |
-409 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
3,414 |
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
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Adoption of 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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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