DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0469; Product Identifier 2019-CE-028-AD; Amendment
39-19664; AD 2019-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain part-numbered Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) FDSA-
6500 flight display system applications installed on airplanes. This AD
imposes operating limitations on the traffic collision avoidance system
(TCAS) by revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight
manual (AFM) or AFM supplement (AFMS) and installing a placard on each
aircraft primary flight display. This AD was prompted by a conflict
between the TCAS display indications and aural alerts that may occur
during a resolution advisory (RA) scenario. The FAA is issuing this AD
to require actions that address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2019.

The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 22, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2019-
0469; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nhien Hoang, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone: (316) 946-4157; fax: (316) 946-4107; email:
nhien.hoang@faa.gov or Wichita-COS@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA was notified that a conflict may occur between the TCAS
primary cockpit display indications and the aural alerts during an RA
scenario on specific part-numbered Rockwell Collins FDSA-6500 flight
display system applications. These applications 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.

During testing of a full flight simulator on a development program,
the TCAS fly-to/avoidance cue indication on the primary cockpit
displays conflicted with other TCAS system information, such as aural
cues, during an RA scenario. While the aural alert will provide the
pilot with accurate information to resolve the RA, that information is
not accurately represented by the TCAS fly-to/avoidance cue display.
Specifically, the TCAS fly-to/avoidance cue is displayed relative to
the aircraft horizon line instead of the aircraft symbol. Rockwell
Collins determined that the data from the TCAS is being translated
incorrectly by the FDSA-6500 software prior to display of the RA pitch
indications.

This condition, if not addressed, could lead to the pilot over-
correcting or under-correcting for aircraft separation and may result
in a mid-air collision. The manufacturer is developing a software
update to correct this condition. The actions required by this AD are
intended to prevent conflicting TCAS information by prohibiting flight
operation with RA functionality enabled. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Rockwell Collins Operator Bulletin OPSB 0193-19R1,
Revision 1, dated April 3, 2019. The service information describes the
unsafe condition and provides examples of different scenarios that
could occur with the TCAS indication conflicts. The service information
also contains instructions for determining the part number of the FDSA-
6500 installation.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is issuing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

This AD prohibits operation with the TCAS in TA/RA mode by
requiring a revision to the Limitations section of the AFM or AFMS and
by fabricating and installing a placard on each aircraft primary flight
display. An owner/operator (pilot) may revise the AFM or the AFMS and
fabricate and install the required placard, and the owner/operator must
enter compliance with the applicable paragraphs of the AD into the
aircraft records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and
14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform these actions because they
can be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This is an
exception to our standard maintenance regulations.

Interim Action

The FAA considers this AD interim action. The operating limitation
required by this AD will immediately address the unsafe condition.
However, Rockwell Collins is developing a software upgrade to correct
the unsafe condition and eliminate the need for the
operating limitation required by this AD action. Because the operating
limitation required by this AD addresses the unsafe condition, any
rulemaking with a software upgrade would allow for public notice and
comment. Thus, the FAA will consider future rulemaking when the
software upgrade becomes available.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because a conflict between the displayed indications and the TCAS aural
alert could lead to the pilot over-correcting or under-correcting for
aircraft separation and result in a mid-air collision. Therefore, the
FAA finds good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public
comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason stated above,
the FAA finds that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views,
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket Number FAA-2019-
0469 and Product Identifier 2019-CE-028-AD at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.

The FAA will post all comments it receives, without change, to
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact it receives about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 932 FDSA-6500 flight display
system applications installed on 311 airplanes worldwide. The number of
FDSA-6500 applications installed on airplanes on the U.S. Registry is
unknown.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

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 Flexibility Act

The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.

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, and

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):