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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42419-42421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17592]

[[Page 42419]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0758; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-027-AD; 
Amendment 39-17129; AD 2012-14-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. Global 
Navigation Satellite Sensor Units

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
aircraft equipped with Honeywell International, Inc. Model KGS200 
Mercury\2\ wide area augmentation system (WAAS) global navigation 
satellite sensor units (GNSSU). This AD requires you cease all 
localizer performance (LP), localizer performance with vertical 
guidance (LPV), and satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) lateral 
navigation/vertical navigation (LNAV/VNAV) approaches until a software 
problem is corrected. This AD was prompted by a report and follow-up 
investigation of a software problem that occurred during flight test 
trials of SBAS-capable aircraft using a similar Honeywell global 
positioning system (GPS) sensor and the same software as the Model 
KGS200 Mercury\2\ GNSSU. A software problem occurred that could result 
in misleading information during LP, LPV, or SBAS LNAV/VNAV approaches. 
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 19, 2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 4, 2012.

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; 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 street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Non-Pilatus aircraft-related: 
Albert Ma, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 
(316) 946-4151; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: albert.ma@faa.gov.
     Pilatus aircraft-related: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report that during flight test trials of SBAS-capable 
aircraft using a similar Honeywell GPS sensor with the same software as 
the Honeywell International, Inc. Model KGS200 Mercury\2\ WAAS GNSSU, a 
software problem occurred that could result in misleading information 
during LP, LPV, or SBAS LNAV/VNAV approaches.
    Investigation found the GPS receiver could compute an incorrect 
ionospheric correction and error estimate such that the error estimate 
no longer bounds the error and the downstream monitor cannot detect it. 
This can potentially lead to hazardously misleading information.
    The software problem is due to a mathematical rounding error, which 
results in misleading information.
    At this time, the only type-certificated airplanes that the product 
is installed in is Pilatus PC-12/47E airplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in misleading 
information during instrument meteorological conditions, which could 
prevent the aircraft from performing safe instrument approach 
procedures, causing controlled flight into terrain.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we 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 requires incorporating airworthiness limitations and 
placards that prohibit LP, LPV, and SBAS LNAV/VNAV approaches until the 
software problem is corrected.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If and when new software is 
developed, the FAA will evaluate this software and may take further 
rulemaking action.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this 
condition, if not corrected, could result in misleading information 
during instrument meteorological conditions, which could prevent the 
aircraft from performing safe instrument approach procedures, causing 
controlled flight into terrain. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 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, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-17129 and 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-027-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because 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 about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 195 GNSSU installed on, but not 
limited to,

[[Page 42420]]

PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PILATUS PC-12/47E airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporate language into the         0.5 work-hour x $85 per              $5           $47.50           $9,263
 limitations section of the flight     hour = $42.50.
 manual and manufacture and install
 a placard.
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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

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):

2012-14-15 Honeywell International, Inc.: Amendment 39-17129; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0758; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 19, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to all Honeywell International, Inc. Model 
KGS200 Mercury\2\ wide area augmentation system (WAAS) global 
navigation satellite sensor units (GNSSU), Honeywell part numbers 
(P/N) 066-01201-0102 and 066-01201-0104.
    (2) This product is installed on, but not limited to, PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PILATUS PC-12/47E airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 3457, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report and follow-up investigation of 
a software problem that occurred during flight test trials of 
satellite based augmentation system (SBAS)-capable aircraft using a 
similar Honeywell global positioning system (GPS) sensor and the 
same software as the Model KGS200 Mercury\2\ GNSSU. A software 
problem occurred that could result in misleading information during 
localizer performance (LP), localizer performance with vertical 
guidance (LPV), or SBAS lateral navigation/vertical navigation 
(LNAV/VNAV) approaches. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Incorporate Language Into the Limitations Section of the Aircraft 
Flight Manual

    (1) Before further flight after July 19, 2012 (the effective 
date of this AD), incorporate language into the limitations section 
of the aircraft flight manual (AFM) that states, ``localizer 
performance (LP), localizer performance with vertical guidance 
(LPV), and satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) lateral 
navigation/vertical navigation (LNAV/VNAV) approach operations are 
prohibited.'' If it can be determined by a review of the AFM that 
the aircraft does not have LP capability and uses barometric 
vertical navigation (VNAV), then it is permissible to incorporate 
language into the limitation section of the AFM that states, ``local 
performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approaches are 
prohibited.''
    (2) The AFM action required by this AD may be done by an owner/
operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and 
must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with 
this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)(4) and 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 
Sec. Sec.  91.173, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Fabricate and Install a Placard

    (1) Within 3 days after July 19, 2012 (the effective date of 
this AD), fabricate and install a placard that states, ``LP, LPV, 
and SBAS LNAV/VNAV approaches are prohibited.'' If it can be 
determined by a review of the AFM that the aircraft does not have LP 
capability and uses VNAV, then it is permissible to use a placard 
that states, ``LPV approaches are prohibited.''
    (2) The placard shall be manufactured so that the font size is 
at least an \1/8\'' with black lettering on a white background. The 
placard must be fabricated and installed by a certificated aircraft 
mechanic on the instrument panel in clear view of the pilot.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited for this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19,

[[Page 42421]]

send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact:
    (1) Non-Pilatus aircraft-related: Albert Ma, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, 
Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4151; fax: (316) 
946-4107; email: albert.ma@faa.gov; or
    (2) Pilatus aircraft-related: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 13, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17592 Filed 7-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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