[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8617-8618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4662]


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


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-9947; AD 97-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Avionics, Inc. Models GNS-
XLS or GNS-XL Flight Management Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all owners/operators of aircraft equipped with AlliedSignal 
Avionics Inc. (AlliedSignal) Models GNS-XLS or GNS-XL global 
positioning systems (GPS) Flight Management Systems. This action 
requires inserting a limitation into the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
or Flight Manual Supplement Limitations Section prohibiting the use of 
these AlliedSignal GPS units on previously published non-precision 
approaches. This action is prompted by recent reports of flight course 
deviations because of erroneous information provided by the GPS Flight 
Management System. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent deviation from an intended flight path during a non-precision 
approach to an airport.

DATES: Effective March 18, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-07-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jose Flores, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-
4133, facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    AlliedSignal recently notified the FAA that their global 
positioning system (GPS) Flight Management System Models GNS-XLS and 
GNS-XL are malfunctioning. The AlliedSignal Models GNS-XLS and GNS-XL 
are used to determine the flight course of an airplane for previously 
published non-precision approaches to an airport. The GPS flight 
management system is integrated into the software of the flight 
management system recorder (black box) in the airplane. These GNS-XLS 
and GNS-XL GPS can be installed on, but are not limited to the 
following airplanes:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Manufacturer                            Models            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
British Aerospace, Ltd. (BAe)..........  146-100A and                   
                                         146-200A.                      
Cessna Aircraft Corporation............  525, 550,                      
                                         and 560.                       
Dausault Aviation......................  Mystere-Falcon                 
                                         20 and 50.                     
Avions Marcel Dassault.................  Falcon 10.                     
Gulfstream Aerospace...................  G-1159 (G-II)                  
                                         and G-1159A                    
                                         (G-III).                       
Raytheon Corporate Jets................  Hawker 800.                    
Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd........  1124.                          
Sabreliner Corporation.................  NA-65.                         
Learjet Inc............................  35.                            
Jetstream Aircraft Ltd.................  4101.                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Problems arose with these GPS flight management systems units after 
an installation of a GNS-XLS unit for certification in a Cessna Model 
550 airplane. During this flight certification, the AlliedSignal Model 
GNS-XLS GPS provided erroneous information to the Flight Management 
System which caused the airplane to deviate from the previously 
published non-precision approach. Further investigation with flight 
tests on other airplane models confirmed this software malfunction. The 
manufacturer conducted bench tests on these models, and was also 
successful in duplicating the deviation occurring within the GPS flight 
management software while it is used in a previously published non-
precision approach situation. The tests also showed that this 
malfunction is only randomly occurring approximately 20 percent of the 
time.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, including the 
relevant service information, the FAA has determined that AD action 
should be taken to prevent deviation of an intended flight path during 
a non-precision approach to an airport.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other AlliedSignal Models GNS-XLS and GNS-XL GPS 
Flight Management Systems of the same type design, this AD requires 
inserting the following limitation into the Operations Limitations 
Section of the AFM or Flight Manual Supplement:

Operating Limitations

    The GNS-XL (or GNS-XLS) is not approved for non-precision 
approaches.

Note

    The GNS-XL (or GNS-XLS) may generate misleading information 
during non-precision GPS or Overlay approaches due to software 
limitations.
    The FAA and AlliedSignal are currently working together toward an 
approved revision to the software problem on these GPS Flight 
Management System units.

Compliance Time of this AD

    The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average daily usage of the affected 
airplanes will have different ranges throughout the fleets. For 
example, one owner may operate the airplane 5 hours TIS in one day, 
while another operator may operate the airplane 5 hours TIS in one 
week. In order to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes have the chance to insert the limitation into the 
operating limitations of their Airplane Flight Manual or Flight Manual 
Supplement within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA is setting a 
compliance time of within the next 5 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

    Since a situation exists (misleading flight course information to 
the pilot during non-precision approaches) that requires the immediate 
adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity 
for public prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements

[[Page 8618]]

affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice 
and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on this rule. 
Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting 
such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is 
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-07-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-05-03  ALLIEDSIGNAL AVIONICS INC.: Amendment 39-9947; Docket No. 
97-CE-07-AD.

    Applicability: Models GNS-XLS and GNS-XL global positioning 
systems, part numbers (P/N) 17960-0102-XXXX and P/N 18355-0101-XXXX 
respectively, installed on, but not limited to the following 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Manufacturer                            Models            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
British Aerospace, Ltd. (BAe)..........  146-100A and 146-200A.         
Cessna Aircraft Corporation............  525, 550, and 560.             
Dausault Aviation......................  Mystere-Falcon 20 and 50.      
Avions Marcel Dassault.................  Falcon 10.                     
Gulfstream Aerospace...................  G-1159 (G-II) and G-1159A (G-  
                                          III).                         
Raytheon Corporate Jets................  Hawker 800.                    
Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd........  1124.                          
Sabreliner Corporation.................  NA-65.                         
Learjet Inc............................  35.                            
Jetstream Aircraft Ltd.................  4101.                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 5 days after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent deviation of the intended flight path during a non-
precision approach to an airport, accomplish the following:
    (a) Insert the following limitation into the Operations 
Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) or Flight 
Manual Supplement:

Operating Limitations

    The GNS-XL (or GNS-XLS) is not approved for non-precision 
approaches.

Note

    The GNS-XL (or GNS-XLS) may generate misleading information 
during non-precision GPS or Overlay approaches due to software 
limitations.
    (b) Inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section as 
described in paragraph (a) of this AD is considered compliance with 
the requirements of this AD.
    (c) Incorporating the AFM revisions, as required by this AD, may 
be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot 
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft 
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 
43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) Copies of this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9947) becomes effective on March 18, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 19, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4662 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U