Document ID: FAA-2018-0977-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rockwell Collins, Inc. Flight Management Systems
Posted Date: 2018-12-06T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62736-62738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26253]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 62736]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0977; Product Identifier 2018-CE-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rockwell Collins, Inc. Flight 
Management Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) flight management 
systems (FMS) installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
reports of the flight management computer (FMC) software issuing 
incorrect turn commands when the altitude climb field is edited or the 
temperature compensation is activated on the FMS control display unit. 
This proposed AD would require disabling the automatic temperature 
compensation feature of the FMS through the configuration strapping 
units (CSU) and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) Limitations 
section. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 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: 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 Rockwell 
Collins, Inc., Collins Aviation Services, 400 Collins Road NE, M/S 164-
100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; telephone: 888-265-5467 (U.S.) or 
319-265-5467; fax: 319-295-4941 (outside U.S.); email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Policy 
and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

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-
0977; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Avi Acharya, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4192; fax: 316-946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

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-2018-0977; 
Product Identifier 2018-CE-041-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 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    During flight inspection on a Bombardier Model CRJ-200 airplane, 
Nav Canada, which is Canada's civil air navigation service provider, 
observed the FMS map displaying an incorrect turn for the Fort St. John 
airport instrument landing system runway 29 missed approach while using 
temperature compensation. Nav Canada assumed this was only an issue 
with the map display and reported the incident to Rockwell Collins.
    Rockwell Collins subsequently determined that an error in the 
design of the Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 FMC software causes changes to 
the procedure-defined turn direction when the procedure has been 
significantly modified. The FMS will change the planned database turn 
direction to an incorrect turn direction when the altitude climb field 
is edited, and the flight crew may not notice the change during climb. 
The FMS will also change the planned database turn direction to an 
incorrect turn direction if the temperature compensation is activated, 
which may go unnoticed by the flight crew with the increased workload 
involved with a missed approach procedure. Editing the altitude or 
using temperature compensation does not change the flight segment. 
However, due to the design error, the software thinks the flight 
segment has changed. The change of the planned turn direction can occur 
for either left or right turns.
    The FMS commanding incorrect turn direction may result in a 
collision or controlled flight into terrain.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter, CSU-XX00-
18-1, dated June 27, 2018. The service letter contains procedures for 
disabling the automatic temperature compensation option in Pro Line 4 
and Pro Line 21 FMC systems. We also reviewed Rockwell Collins Service 
Information Letter FMC-XX00-18-1, dated June 27, 2018. The service 
letter provides instructions for revising the

[[Page 62737]]

Limitations section of the AFM by adding prohibitions on editing 
altitudes for specific Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 Flight Management 
Systems. 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.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require disabling the automatic temperature 
compensation feature on the FMS through the CSUs. This proposed AD 
would also require revising the Limitations section of the AFM by 
adding limitations on the use of the temperature compensation feature 
and the editing of altitudes.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2,855 products installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSU strapping change..............  2 work-hours x $85     Not applicable.......            $170        $485,350
                                     per hour = $170.
Revision to the AFM Limitations     .5 work-hour x $85     Not applicable.......           42.50      121,337.50
 section.                            per hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 small airplanes, domestic business 
jet transport airplanes, and associated appliances to the Director of 
the Policy and Innovation 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, 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):

Rockwell Collins, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0977; Product Identifier 
2018-CE-041-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 22, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rockwell Collins, Inc. (``Rockwell Collins'') 
Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 Flight Management Systems installed on 
airplanes, certificated in any category, that has a flight 
management computer (FMC) with a Rockwell Collins part number (RCPN) 
listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and with a configuration 
strapping unit (CSU) listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) FMC-3000 RCPN 822-0883-031, -036, -038, -040, -041, -053, -
054, -056, -057, -058, -059, -060, -081, -082, -083, -084; FMC-4200 
RCPN 822-0783-022, -025, -028, -032, -036, -039, -040; FMC-5000 RCPN 
822-0891-021, -027, -028, -034, -040; or FMC-6000 RCPN 822-0868-074, 
-075, -082, -083, -084, -085, -087, -089, -090, -109, -17, -111, -
112, -113, -114, -116, -117, -122, -123, -127, -130, -132, -133, -
134, -139.
    (2) CSU-3100 RCPN 822-1363-002, CSU-4000 RCPN 822-0049-002, or 
CSU-4100 RCPN 822-1364-002.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: To determine the CSU and FMC 
unit RCPN, refer to the aircraft manufacturer or applicable STC 
holder maintenance instructions for accessing them.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 3460, Flight Management Computing Hardware 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of the FMC software issuing 
incorrect turn

[[Page 62738]]

commands when the altitude climb field is edited or when the 
temperature compensation is activated. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the FMC from issuing an incorrect turn direction command. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a collision 
or controlled flight into terrain.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Disable the Temperature Compensation

    Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
disable the automatic temperature compensation feature on the CSU by 
following steps (2) through (6) of the Instructions in Rockwell 
Collins Service Information Letter CSU-XX00-18-1, dated June 27, 
2018.

(h) Revise the Airplane Flight Manual Limitations

    Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the airplane flight manual by adding the information from 
step 2 of the Aircraft Flight Manual Recommendation in Rockwell 
Collins Service Information Letter FMC-XX00-18-1, dated June 27, 
2018, into the Limitations section of the AFM.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Avi Acharya, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4192; fax: 316-946-4107; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Collins Aviation Services, 400 Collins Road 
NE, M/S 164-100, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001; telephone: 888-265-
5467 (U.S.) or 319-265-5467; fax: 319-295-4941 (outside U.S.); 
email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Services_and_Support/Publications.aspx. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 26, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2018-26253 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P