[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31911-31913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0589; Product Identifier 2018-NM-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -
112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of false resolution advisories (RAs) from 
certain traffic collision avoidance systems (TCASs). This proposed AD 
would require modification or replacement of certain TCAS processors. 
We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Honeywell 
Aerospace, Technical Publications and Distribution, M/S 2101-201, P.O. 
Box 52170, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2170; phone: 602-365-5535; fax: 602-365-
5577; internet: http://www.honeywell.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

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-2018-
0589; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations 
office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace 
Engineer, Avionics and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7367; fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0589; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-021-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on 
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 about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0196, dated October 5, 2017 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 
series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and 
-232 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Since 2012, a number of false TCAS resolution advisories (RA) 
have been reported by various European Air Navigation Service 
Providers. EASA has published certification guidance material for 
collision avoidance systems (AMC 20-15) which defines a false TCAS 
RA as an RA that is issued, but the RA condition does not exist. It 
is possible that more false (or spurious) RA events have occurred, 
but were not recorded or reported. The known events were mainly 
occurring on Airbus single-aisle (A320 family) aeroplanes, although 
several events have also occurred on Airbus A330 aeroplanes. 
Investigation determined that the false RAs are caused on aeroplanes 
with a Honeywell TPA-100B TCAS processor installed, P/N [part 
number] 940-0351-001. This was caused by a combination of three 
factors: (1) Hybrid surveillance enabled; (2) processor connected to 
a hybrid GPS [global positioning system] source, without a direct 
connection to a GPS source; and (3) an encounter with an intruder 
aeroplane with noisy (jumping) ADS-B Out position.
    EASA previously published Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 
2014-33 to inform owners and operators of affected aeroplanes about 
this safety concern. At that time, the false RAs were not considered 
an unsafe condition. Since the SIB was issued, further events have 
been reported, involving a third aeroplane.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a loss of 
separation with other aeroplanes, possibly resulting in a mid-air 
collision.
    Prompted by these latest findings, and after review of the 
available information, EASA reassessed the severity and rate of 
occurrence of false RAs and has decided that mandatory action must 
be taken to reduce the rate of occurrence, and the risk of loss of 
separation with other aeroplanes. Honeywell International Inc. 
published Service Bulletin (SB) 940-0351-34-0005 [Publication Number 
D201611000002] to provide instructions for an upgrade, introducing 
software version 05/01, changing the processor unit to P/N 940-0351-
005.
    EASA previously issued AD 2017-0091 (later revised) to address 
the unsafe condition on aeroplanes that had the P/N 940-0351-001 
processor installed by Airbus major change or SB. However, part of 
the fleet had the same P/N installed by STC [supplemental type 
certificate]. The relevant STC approval holders (see section Remarks 
of this [EASA] AD for contact details) have been notified and 
modification instructions (see section Ref. Publications of this 
[EASA] AD) can be obtained from those companies.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification or

[[Page 31912]]

replacement of Honeywell TPA-100B P/N 940-0351-001 TCAS processors. 
This [EASA] AD also prohibits installation of those processors on 
post-mod aeroplanes.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0589.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    H4 Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin H4ASB009, Issue 1, dated 
September 18, 2017, and PMV Engineering has issued Service Bulletin 
AVI-00690-SB-S99-R01, Revision 01, dated October 5, 2017. This service 
information, provided by the applicable design change FAA STC approval 
holders, describes the modification or replacement of the Honeywell 
TPA-100B TCAS processor. These documents are distinct because they 
apply to different STCs on the airplanes. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    Honeywell has issued Service Bulletin 940-0351-34-0005, Revision 2, 
dated December 1, 2017. This service information describes procedures 
for updating the software of the Honeywell TPA-100B TCAS processor 
either on the airplane or at an authorized service center.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    The applicability of the MCAI includes Airbus SAS models that are 
modified by certain STCs. However, of these STCs, only H4 Aerospace STC 
ST03708NY and PMV Engineering STC ST03835NY are validated by the FAA. 
Although the Airbus SAS Model A320-216 is included in the applicability 
of the MCAI, it is not included in the applicability of this proposed 
AD because it is not modified by these two FAA-validated STCs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1209 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification....................  1 work-hour x $85   Up to $1,623......  Up to $1,708......  Up to $2,064,972.
                                   per hour = $85.
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                                      Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...        $121,993        $122,078
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 31913]]

the FAA proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2018-0589; Product Identifier 2018-NM-
021-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 24, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, if modified by H4 Aerospace supplemental type certificate 
(STC) ST03708NY (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSTC.nsf/0/581702F96EC93ACF86257FEA00689E6B?OpenDocument&Highlight=st03708ny) 
or PMV Engineering STC ST03835NY (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/06E4A762C1FDF8048625807D006457C7?OpenDocument&Highlight=st03835ny).
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of false resolution advisories 
(RAs) from certain traffic collision avoidance systems (TCASs). We 
are issuing this AD to address the occurrence of false RAs from the 
TCAS, which could lead to a loss of separation from other airplanes, 
possibly resulting in a mid-air collision.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definition of an Affected TCAS Processor

    For the purposes of this AD, an affected TCAS processor is 
defined as a Honeywell TPA-100B TCAS processor having part number 
(P/N) 940-0351-001.

(h) Modification or Replacement of TCAS Processor

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Update the 
software of the affected TCAS processor and change the part number 
to P/N 940-0351-005, or replace the affected TCAS processor with a 
TPA-100B TCAS processor P/N 940-0351-005, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of H4 Aerospace Service Bulletin 
H4ASB009, Issue 1, dated September 18, 2017; or PMV Engineering 
Service Bulletin AVI-00690-SB-S99-R01, Revision 01, dated October 5, 
2017, as applicable.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD:  Guidance for accomplishing 
the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD can be found in 
Honeywell Service Bulletin 940-0351-34-0005, Revision 2, dated 
December 1, 2017.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    After modification or replacement of the TCAS processor as 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no person may install on that 
airplane an affected TCAS processor, as defined in paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. 
If sending information directly to the manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before 
using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO 
Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 
Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0196, dated October 5, 2017, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0589.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Steven 
Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Administrative 
Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; fax 516-794-
5531.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Honeywell Aerospace, Technical Publications and Distribution, M/S 
2101-201, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2170; phone: 602-365-
5535; fax: 602-365-5577; internet: http://www.honeywell.com. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July 3, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14694 Filed 7-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P