Airworthiness Directives: Avidyne Corporation Primary Flight Displays

Federal Register: April 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 72)

Rules and Regulations

Page 19963-19967

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr14ap08-3

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2008-0340; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-020-AD;

Amendment 39-15468; AD 2008-06-28 R1

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Avidyne Corporation Primary Flight

Displays (Part Numbers 700-00006-000, -001, -002, -003, and -100)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to revise AD 2008-06-28, which applies to certain Avidyne Corporation

(Avidyne) Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) (Part Numbers (P/Ns) 700- 00006-000, -001, -002, -003, and -100) that are installed on airplanes.

AD 2008-06-28 currently requires you to do a check of the maintenance records and inspection of the PFD (if necessary) to determine if an affected serial number PFD is installed. If an affected serial number

PFD is installed, this AD requires you to incorporate information that limits operation when certain conditions for the PFD or backup instruments exist. Since we issued AD 2008-06-28, we have learned that there is an incorrect serial number (SN) listed in AD 2008-06-28.

Consequently, this AD retains the actions of AD 2008-06-28 and corrects the incorrect serial number. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain conditions from existing when PFDs display incorrect attitude, altitude, and airspeed information. This could result in airspeed/ altitude mismanagement or spatial disorientation of the pilot with consequent loss of airplane control, inadequate traffic separation, or controlled flight into terrain.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 10, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-06-28).

We must receive any comments on this AD by June 13, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.

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.

To get the service information identified in this AD, contact

Avidyne Corporation, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773; telephone:

(781) 402-7400; fax: (781) 402-7599.

To view the comments to this AD, go to http://www.regulations.gov.

The docket number is FAA-2008-0340; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-020-

AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Solomon Hecht, Aerospace Engineer,

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-7159; fax: (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

Several field reports of PFDs displaying incorrect altitude and airspeed information caused us to issue AD 2008-06-28, Amendment 39- 15440 (73 FR 15862, March 26, 2008). AD 2008-06-28 currently requires a check of the maintenance records and an inspection of the PFD (if necessary) to determine if an affected serial number PFD is installed.

If an affected serial number PFD is installed, this AD requires you to incorporate information that limits operation when certain conditions for the PFD or backup instruments exist.

We received several field reports of PFDs displaying incorrect altitude and airspeed information. These occurrences included incorrect display of information at system startup, including one or more of the following:

Altitude significantly in error when compared to field elevation with local barometric correction setting entered on PFD.

Altitude significantly in error when compared to backup altimeter with identical barometric correction settings.

Non-zero airspeed (inconsistent with high winds or propwash from a nearby airplane) indicated at system startup.

Altitude or airspeed indications that vary noticeably after startup under static conditions.

Erroneous airspeed indications in combination with erroneous attitude indications.

A steady or intermittent ``red X'' in place of the airspeed indicator, altimeter, vertical speed indicator, or attitude indicator.

The conditions described above occur because of a manufacturing process defect on a certain batch of PFD serial numbers during incorporation of a design improvement on the air data unit assembly.

The root cause of this manufacturing process defect is still being analyzed.

Since we issued AD 2008-06-28, we have learned that PFD SN 0030197 is incorrectly listed in AD 2008-06-28. The correct SN is 20030197.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in airspeed/altitude mismanagement or spatial disorientation of the pilot and consequent loss of airplane control, inadequate traffic separation, or controlled flight into terrain.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD revises

AD 2008-06-28 by retaining the actions of AD 2008-06-28 and correcting the incorrect serial number.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this

Page 19964

AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2008-0340;

Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-020-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this AD.

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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the

Internet at http://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 Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-06-28, Amendment 39-15440 (73 FR 15862, March 26, 2008), and by adding a new AD to read as follows: 2008-06-28 R1 Avidyne Corporation: Amendment 39-15468; Docket No.

FAA-2008-0340; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-020-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective on April 10, 2008 (The effective date of AD 2008-06-28).

Affected ADs

(b) This AD revises AD 2008-06-28; Amendment 39-15440.

Applicability

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Avidyne Corporation (Avidyne) Primary

Flight Displays (PFDs) (Part Numbers (P/Ns) 700-00006-000, 700- 00006-001, 700-00006-002, 700-00006-003, and 700-00006-100) that are installed on, but not limited to the following airplanes that are certificated in any category:

(1) Adam Aircraft Model A500;

(2) Cessna Aircraft Company Model 441 (STEC Alliant Supplemental

Type Certificate (STC) No. SA09547AC-D incorporated);

(3) Cessna Aircraft Company Models LC42-550FG and LC41-550FG

(Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing and The Lancair Company previously held the type certificate for these airplanes);

(4) Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20 and SR22;

(5) Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 40;

(6) Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model E90 (STEC Alliant STC

No. SA09545AC-D incorporated);

(7) Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model 200 series (STEC Alliant

STC No. SA09543AC-D incorporated); and

(8) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28R- 201, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32-301XTC, PA-34- 220T, PA-44-180, PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD is the result of our learning that there is an incorrect serial number (SN) listed in AD 2008-06-28, which is corrected in this AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain conditions from existing when PFDs display incorrect attitude, altitude, and airspeed information. This could result in airspeed/ altitude mismanagement or spatial disorientation of the pilot with consequent loss of airplane control, inadequate traffic separation, or controlled flight into terrain.

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:

Page 19965

Table 1.--Actions, Compliance, and Procedures

Actions

Compliance

Procedures

(1) Do a logbook check of

Within 15 days

The owner/operator maintenance records to

after April 10,

holding at least determine if any PFD (P/Ns 700- 2008 (the

a private pilot 00006-000, 700-00006-001, 700- effective date of certificate as 00006-002, 700-00006-003, or

AD 2008-06-28).

authorized by 700-00006-100) with any

section 43.7 of affected serial number listed

the Federal in TABLE 2--Serial Numbers of

Aviation

Affected PFDs is installed.

Regulations (14

(i) If, as a result of this

CFR 43.7) may do check, you find any PFD

the logbook installed with an affected

check. Make an serial number, do the action

entry into the required by paragraph (e)(3)(i)

aircraft logbook or (e)(3)(ii) of this AD.

showing compliance with this portion of the AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal

Aviation

Regulations (14

CFR 43.9).

(ii) If, as a result of this check, you cannot positively identify the serial number of the PFD, do the inspection required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD

(iii) If, as a result of this check, you positively identify that the PFD installed does not have a serial number affected by this AD, then no further action is required

(2) If you find, as a result of Within 15 days

Not Applicable. the check required by paragraph after April 10,

(e)(1) of this AD you cannot

2008 (the positively identify the serial effective date of number of the PFD, inspect any

AD 2008-06-28).

PFD (P/Ns 700-00006-000, 700- 00006-001, 700-00006-002, 700- 00006-003, or 700-00006-100) for any affected serial number listed in TABLE 2--Serial

Numbers of Affected PFDs. You may do the requirement of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD instead of this inspection

(3) If you find, as a result of Within 15 days

The owner/operator the check required by paragraph after April 10,

holding at least

(e)(1) of this AD or the

2008 (the

a private pilot inspection required by

effective date of certificate as paragraph (e)(2) of this AD,

AD 2008-06-28).

authorized by any PFD installed with an

section 43.7 of affected serial number, do

the Federal whichever of the following

Aviation applies.

Regulations (14

(i) For airplanes with an

CFR 43.7) may airplane flight manual (AFM),

insert the pilot's operating handbook

information into

(POH), or airplane flight

the AFM, POH, manual supplement (AFMS),

AFMS, or incorporate the language in the

maintenance

Appendix of this AD into the

records as

Limitations section..

required in

(ii) For airplanes without an

paragraph

AFM, POH, or AFMS, do the

(e)(3)(i) or following:.

(e)(3)(ii)(A) of

(A) Incorporate the language in

this AD and/or the Appendix of this AD into

fabricate the your aircraft records; and.

placard required

(B) Fabricate a placard (using

in paragraph at least \1/8\-inch letters)

(e)(3)(ii)(B) of with the following words and

this AD. Make an install the placard on the

entry into the instrument panel within the

aircraft records pilot's clear view: ``AD 2008-

showing 06-28 R1 CONTAINS LIMITATIONS

compliance with

REGARDING AVIDYNE PRIMARY

these portions of

FLIGHT DISPLAYS (PFD) AND

the AD in

REQUIRED INCORPORATION OF THESE

accordance with

LIMITATIONS INTO THE AIRCRAFT

section 43.9 of

RECORDS. YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE

the Federal

LIMITATIONS.''.

Aviation

Regulations (14

CFR 43.9).

(4) Do not install any PFD (P/Ns As of April 10,

Not Applicable. 700-00006-000, 700-00006-001,

2008 (the 700-00006-002, 700-00006-003,

effective date of or 700-00006-100) with any

AD 2008-06-28). affected serial number listed in TABLE 2--Serial Numbers of

Affected PFDs.

Note 1: If you have an AFM, POH, or AFMS, you may fabricate and install a placard as described in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this AD in addition to, but not instead of, the Limitations section requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this AD.

Note 2: Avidyne Service Alert No. SA-08-001, dated February 12, 2008, pertains to the subject matter of this AD. The service information cautions that all pilots should be vigilant in conducting proper preflight and in-flight checks of instrument accuracy.

Page 19966

Table 2.--Serial Numbers of Affected PFDs AD 2008-06-28 R1

D1023, D1031, D1037, D1069, D1075, D1080, D1084, D1090, D1101, D1102,

D1106, D1112, D1115, D1136, D1138, D1141, D1144, D1158, D1170, D1172,

D1174, D1178, D1188, D1197, D1199, D1212, D1234, D1240, D1249, D1253,

D1254, D1256, D1259, D1260, D1262, D1270, D1272, D1277, D1283, D1288,

D1313, D1319, D1327, D1351, D1364, D1380, D1387, D1391, D1396, D1405,

D1412, D1428, D1433, D1434, D1435, F0006, F0011, F0021, F0030, F0031,

F0032, F0035, 20002067, 20003147, 20003296, 20003316, 20004297, 20005316, 20005487, 20008167, 20008227, 20008255, 20009297, 20009476, 20010177, 20010255, 20011396, 20011456, 20012337, 20012506, 20013406, 20014027, 20014227, 20015357, 20017286, 20018317, 20018425, 20018486, 20019067, 20019297, 20020297, 20021067, 20021197, 20022177, 20022207, 20022217, 20022286, 20022287, 20022296, 20023197, 20023377, 20024196, 20024217, 20024297, 20024397, 20024407, 20024425, 20025067, 20025177, 20025217, 20025317, 20026067, 20026197, 20026207, 20026265, 20026377, 20026407, 20026506, 20027177, 20027226, 20027317, 20027377, 20028177, 20028337, 20029177, 20029197, 20029246, 20029265, 20029506, 20030197, 20030237, 20031207, 20031217, 20031406, 20031407, 20031516, 20032067, 20032265, 20032337, 20032516, 20033337, 20034207, 20034327, 20035177, 20036197, 20036237, 20036397, 20037265, 20037285, 20038127, 20038197, 20038337, 20039177, 20040127, 20040177, 20040197, 20040265, 20040317, 20041177, 20042197, 20042265, 20042317, 20042337, 20043197, 20043215, 20043237, 20043247, 20044226, 20044237, 20044285, 20045215, 20045265, 20045437, 20046215, 20047127, 20047147, 20047197, 20048197, 20048215, 20048247, 20049147, 20049357, 20050147, 20050287, 20050346, 20050434, 20051215, 20052215, 20053247, 20053257, 20053357, 20054247, 20054257, 20054357, 20055087, 20056247, 20056257, 20057237, 20057346, 20058346, 20061087, 20061247, 20062087, 20062247, 20063087, 20064087, 20064147, 20064226, 20064337, 20066147, 20067087, 20068147, 20068337, 20069087, 20071237, 20072087, 20073087, 20073346, 20073506, 20074207, 20075087, 20075147, 20075207, 20076217, 20076257, 20077087, 20077506, 20078087, 20078217, 20078257, 20078346, 20078496, 20084257, 20085396, 20087257, 20089257, 20089346, 20090346, 20092297, 20093247, 20094107, 20094416, 20097137, 20098037, 20099107, 20099346, 20099416, 20101416, 20102417, 20103396, 20104246, 20106224, 20111224, 20112224, 20114416, 20115346, 20116346, 20118416, 20123416, 20124456, 20126416, 20129346, 20135337, 20139336, 20140336, 20142037, 20142296, 20146037, 20147336, 20153037, 20158097, 20161097, 20164097, 20165097, 20166097, 20170097, 20170175, 20172175, 20177175, 20202257, 20204175, 20209246, 20214175, 20216265, 20217175, 20224175, 20224265, 20229265, 20232175, 20233175, 20236175, 20236265, 20241175, 20243265, 20265355, 20272355, 20273355, 20278355, 20281355, 20302384, 20308384, 20314384, 20317384, 20320305, 20321376, 20330376, 20330384, 20343384, 20347305, 20348305, 20350305, 20356305, 20359305, 20378475, 20380225, 20381225, 20382475, 20388225, 20402174, 20403174, 20438345, 20440345, 20447425, 20452315, 20458315, 20462315, 20467315, 20540094, 20550094, 20576445, 20580445, 20581445, 20582525, 20584525, 20591525, 20595065, 20599065, 20605065, 20615116, 20618065, 20638116, 20656284, 20732074, 20735176, 20739176, 20755493, 20814015, 20815015, 20974365, 20978365, 20978434, 20986365, 20990434, 20998365, 21002365, 21056395, 21060395, 21063184, 21063395, 21067184, 21070184, 21075395, 21191045, 21200045, 21219045, 21294414, 21311414, 21315414, 21324414, 21325414, 21330414, 21334414, 21340414, 21491056, 21493056, 21596354, 21603435, 21604435, 21606435, 21608435, 21610435, 21614435, 21646086, 21668086, 21812514, 21823514, 21826514, 21836304, 21839304, 21852304, 22310186, 22378026, 22380026, 22398294, 22401294, 22405085, 22412385, 22418026, 22418385, 22419026, 22470524, 22471524, 22472524, 22479524, 22483524, 22486524, 22523204, 22525264, 22531204, 22559135, 22568135, 22572135, 22578135, 22579135, 22586135, 22602135, 22603135, 22608135, 22642493, 22647493, 22682076, 22908334, 22921334, 22961354, 23166495, 23169495, 23173495, 23175495, 23182495, 23371455, 23378455, 23443264, 23445264, 23448264, 23581244, 23602244, 23737136, 23738136, 24021335, 24029335, 24231144, 24238144, 24248144, 24381324, 24478515, 24735144, 24746144, 24750144, 24772085, 24773085, 24865155, 24867155, 24870155, 24990084, 24991084, 24993084, 24996084, 25023034, 25027034, 25522465, 25525465, 25530465, 25532465, 25538465, 25600465, 25618106, 26287114, 26528095, 26547095, 26553095, 26569464, 26571095, 26572095, 26584095, 26588464, 26592464, 27865034, 28478495, 28519495, 29019044, 29023044, 29029044, 29031044, 29032044, 29512216, 29514216, and 29522216.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to

ATTN: Solomon Hecht, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO, 12 New England

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-7159; fax: (781) 238-7170. 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.

Additional Information

(g) For the service alert referenced in this AD, contact Avidyne

Corporation, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773; telephone:

(781) 402-7400; fax: (781) 402-7599.

Appendix to AD 2008-06-28 R1 Limitations Regarding Avidyne Primary

Flight Displays (PFDs)

Before conducting flight operations, pilots must review and be familiar with the Crosscheck Monitor section of the Avidyne Primary

Flight Display Pilot's Guide and all limitations contained in the airplane flight manual, pilot's operating handbook, or aircraft operating handbook.

As a normal practice, all pilots should be vigilant in conducting proper preflight and in-flight checks of instrument accuracy, including:

Preflight check of the accuracy of both the primary and backup altimeter against known airfield elevation and against each other.

Verification of airspeed indications consistent with prevailing conditions at startup, during taxi, and prior to takeoff.

``Airspeed alive'' check and reasonable indications during takeoff roll.

Maintenance of current altimeter setting in both primary and backup altimeters.

Cross-check of primary and backup altimeters at each change of altimeter setting and prior to entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Cross-check of primary and backup altimeters and validation against other available data, such as glideslope intercept altitude, prior to conducting any instrument approach.

Periodic cross-checks of primary and backup airspeed indicators, preferably in combination with altimeter cross-checks.

For flight operations under instrument flight rules (IFR) or in conditions in which visual reference to the horizon cannot be reliably maintained (that is IMC, night operations, flight operations over water, in haze or smoke) and the pilot has reasons to suspect that any source (PFD or back-up instruments) of attitude, airspeed, or altitude is not functioning properly, flight under IFR or in these conditions must not be initiated (when condition is determined on the

Page 19967

ground) and further flight under IFR or in these conditions is prohibited until equipment is serviced and functioning properly.

Operation of aircraft not equipped with operating backup (or standby) attitude, altimeter, and airspeed indicators that are located where they are readily visible to the pilot is prohibited.

Pilots must frequently scan and cross-check flight instruments to make sure the information depicted on the PFD correlates and agrees with the information depicted on the backup instruments.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 4, 2008.

David R. Showers,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. E8-7802 Filed 4-11-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P