Discussion \n\n\n\tOn August, 28, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2020-18-51 (Emergency AD 2020-18-51) for attitude indicator part number (P/N) 306171-10 or 306171-20. Emergency AD 2020-18-51 requires revising the existing AFM for your airplane to prohibit operation under IFR or night VFR and prohibit coupling the autopilot with an affected attitude indicator. These part-numbered attitude indicators may be marked as BendixKing Model KI-300 or Sandia Model SAI-340A. \n\tEmergency AD 2020-18-51 was prompted by a report of three failed attitude indicator P/N 306171-10 units. Following the initial report, an investigation revealed a total of 54 failed attitude indicator P/N 306171-10 units. Attitude indicator P/N 306171-20 is affected by the same unsafe condition because it is identical to P/N 306171-10. The effect of the failure was erroneous attitude data provided to the pilot and autopilot, if equipped. In some instances, the pilot is unaware that the datais erroneous or unreliable. In other instances, where the aircraft is equipped with multiple displays, the pilot may be provided with conflicting information, but will have no way to determine which display contains the correct data. \n\tThis condition, if not addressed, could result in aeronautical decision-making based on erroneous attitude information, which may result in loss of control of the aircraft. \n\nFAA's Determination \n\n\n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD after evaluating all the relevant information and determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. \n\nAD Requirements \n\n\n\tThis AD requires, before further flight, revising the existing AFM for your airplane to prohibit operation under IFR or night VFR and prohibit coupling the autopilot with an affected attitude indicator. \n\tRevising the existing AFM for your airplane may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate. This authorization is an exception to our standard maintenance regulations. The pilot must record compliance with this AD in the aircraft maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417. This authority is not applicable to aircraft being operated under 14 CFR part 119. \n\nInterim Action \n\n\n\tThe FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then. \n\nFAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date \n\n\n\tAn unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of Emergency AD 2020-18-51, issued on August 28, 2020, to all known U.S. owners and operators of aircraft with attitude indicator P/N 306171-10 or 306171-20 installed. The FAA found that the risk to the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the required corrective actions must be completed before further flight. These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section \n\n((Page 56160)) \n\n39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all persons. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason stated above, the FAA finds that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. \n\nComments Invited \n\n\n\tThis AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket Number FAA-2020- 0794 and Project Identifier AD-2020-01232-Q at the beginning of your comments. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments. \n\tExcept for Confidential Business Information as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this final rule. \n\nConfidential Business Information \n\n\n\tConfidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this final rule contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this final rule, itis important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ''PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this final rule. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to John Felton, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5171; email john.felton@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. \n\nRegulatory Flexibility Act \n\n\n\tThe requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,211 units installed on aircraft of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work- hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. \n\tRevising the existing AFM for your airplane takes about 0.5 work- hour for an estimated cost of $43 per aircraft and $52,073 for the U.S. fleet. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe FAA is 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, and \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Airplane, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.