DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9345; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-028-AD;
Amendment 39-18801; AD 2017-04-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; United Instruments, Inc. Series
Altimeters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
United Instruments, Inc. 5934 series altimeters that were manufactured
between January 2015 and February 2016 and installed in airplanes and
helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of certain altimeters
displaying higher than actual altitude due to a slow diaphragm leak,
which would affect the accuracy of the altimeters. This AD requires
replacing the affected altimeters. We are issuing this AD to correct
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 7, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 7,
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact United Instruments, Inc., 3625 Comotara Avenue, Wichita, KS
67226; telephone (316) 636-9203; fax: (316) 636-9243; email:
customerservice@unitedinst.com; Internet: www.unitedinst.com or http://www.unitedinst.com/Products/SpecificationsSheets/d132811.aspx. You
may view 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.
It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9345.

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-2016-
9345; 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: Les Lyne, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4190; fax: (316) 946-4107;
email: leslie.lyne@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 United Instruments,
Inc. 5934 series altimeters that were manufactured between January 2015
and February 2016 and installed in airplanes and helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2016 (81 FR 78083).
The NPRM was prompted by a report that certain 5934 series altimeters
that were manufactured between January 2015 and February 2016 may
display higher than actual altitude. These altimeters are susceptible
to developing a slow diaphragm leak, which would affect the accuracy of
the altimeters. It has been determined that insufficient removal of
chemical substance on the diaphragm assembly during the production
process of the altimeter caused the misleading display of altitude
data. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the affected altimeters.
We are issuing this AD to prevent display of misleading altitude data,
which could result in inadvertent flight into terrain.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed United Instruments, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 13, dated
March 25, 2016. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing
the nonconforming altimeters. 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 the
ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 1,351 altimeters as installed in
airplanes and helicopters of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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):