AD 96-06-06 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the use of the autoland function. This amendment also requires installation of a diode and a marker on certain shelves and making wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator of the autopilot/flight director system, which terminates the requirements for the AFM limitation. This amendment is prompted by a report that the flightcrew was unaware of the configuration of the autoland system during landing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure flightcrew awareness of the configuration of the autoland system in the event of a change from fail-operational to fail-passive mode.

Final rule

96-06-06 BOEING: Amendment 39-9543. Docket 95-NM-22-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series airplanes, equipped with triple channel autoland autopilots; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; certificated in any category. \n\n\tNOTE 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo ensure flightcrew awareness of the configuration of the autoland system in the event of a change from fail-operational to fail-passive mode, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM. \n\n\t"Pay close attention to all 3 NAV receiver flags immediately after FLARE ARM is annunciated on the FMA's. If there is a flag on any NAV receiver, the corresponding autopilot channel must be disconnected; the approach must be down-graded to dual channel, CAT II configuration; and the autopilot must be disconnected prior to landing." \n\n\n\t(b)\tWithin 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install a diode and a marker on the E1-4, E1-5, and E1-6 shelves, and make wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator of the autopilot/flight director system, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, or Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; as applicable. After this installation and wiring change is accomplished, the AFM limitation required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. \n\n\t(c)\tPrior to further flight after accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD, perform an operational test of the newly installed diodes, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, or Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the operational test at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight hours. \n\n\t(d)\tAn alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. \n\n\t(e)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. \n\n\t(f)\tThe installation, wiring changes and operational tests shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2212, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995; Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-22A2213, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1995, or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 22A2213, Revision 2, dated June 22, 1995; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(g)\tThis amendment becomes effective on April 22, 1996.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on January 23, 1996 (61 FR 1722). That action proposed to require: \n\n\t1. revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the use of the autoland function; \n\n\t2. installing a diode and a marker on shelves; \n\n\t3. making wiring changes to the flight mode annunciator (FMA) of the autopilot/flight director system, which would terminate the requirements for the AFM revision; and \n\n\t4. conducting follow-on operational tests. \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. \n\n\tThe commenter supports the proposed rule. \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\n\tThere are approximately 179 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and SP series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. \n\n\tIt will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required revision to the AFM, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $720, or $60 per airplane. \n\n\tIt will take approximately 10 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required installation and operational test, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $613 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these requirements on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,556, or $1,213 per airplane. \n\n\tThe cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."\n\n List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 - (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing\nCommercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Hania Younis, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2764; fax (206) 227-1181.