82 FR 12395 - Airworthiness Directives; United Instruments, Inc. Series Altimeters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 41 (March 3, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain United Instruments, Inc. 5934 series altimeters that were manufactured between January 2015 and February 2016 and installed in airplanes and helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of certain altimeters displaying higher than actual altitude due to a slow diaphragm leak, which would affect the accuracy of the altimeters. This AD requires replacing the affected altimeters. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 41 (Friday, March 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12395-12397]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03488]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9345; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-028-AD; 
Amendment 39-18801; AD 2017-04-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; United Instruments, Inc. Series 
Altimeters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
United Instruments, Inc. 5934 series altimeters that were manufactured 
between January 2015 and February 2016 and installed in airplanes and 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of certain altimeters 
displaying higher than actual altitude due to a slow diaphragm leak, 
which would affect the accuracy of the altimeters. This AD requires 
replacing the affected altimeters. We are issuing this AD to correct 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 7, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 7, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact United Instruments, Inc., 3625 Comotara Avenue, Wichita, KS 
67226; telephone (316) 636-9203; fax: (316) 636-9243; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.unitedinst.com or http://www.unitedinst.com/Products/SpecificationsSheets/d132811.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. 
It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9345.

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-2016-
9345; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les Lyne, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4190; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain United Instruments, 
Inc. 5934 series altimeters that were manufactured between January 2015 
and February 2016 and installed in airplanes and helicopters. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2016 (81 FR 78083). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report that certain 5934 series altimeters 
that were manufactured between January 2015 and February 2016 may 
display higher than actual altitude. These altimeters are susceptible 
to developing a slow diaphragm leak, which would affect the accuracy of 
the altimeters. It has been determined that insufficient removal of 
chemical substance on the diaphragm assembly during the production 
process of the altimeter caused the misleading display of altitude 
data. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the affected altimeters. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent display of misleading altitude data, 
which could result in inadvertent flight into terrain.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 12396]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed United Instruments, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 13, dated 
March 25, 2016. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing 
the nonconforming altimeters. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,351 altimeters as installed in 
airplanes and helicopters 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace altimeter..................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour           $1,600          $1,685      $2,276,435
                                      = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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.

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):

2017-04-06 United Instruments, Inc.: Amendment 39-18801; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-9345; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-028-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 7, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to United Instruments, Inc. 5934 series 
altimeters that were manufactured between January 2015 and February 
2016 and installed in airplanes and helicopters.
    (1) The specific affected serial number altimeters can be found 
in United Instruments, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 13, dated March 25, 
2016. Paragraph (j)(3) of this AD contains addresses for obtaining 
the service bulletin.
    (2) Altimeters that have been corrected by United Instruments, 
Inc. following Service Bulletin No. 13, dated March 25, 2016, are 
not affected by this AD and no further action is necessary.
    (3) Altimeters that have been corrected by United Instruments, 
Inc. can be identified by a yellow dot, approximately \1/4\ inch (6 
mm) in diameter, located approximately 1 inch (25 mm) to the left 
side of the nameplate. The corrected altimeters will also have a 
letter ``M,'' approximately \1/8\ inch (3mm) high, metal stamped on 
the nameplate after the name ``ALTIMETER.''

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 44, Cabin Systems.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of certain altimeters displaying 
higher than actual altitude due to a slow diaphragm leak. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent display of misleading altitude data, 
which could result in inadvertent flight into terrain.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within the next 12 months after April 7, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD), replace any affected altimeter with a serviceable 
part following United Instruments, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 13, 
dated March 25, 2016.

(h) 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, 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Les Lyne, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4190; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 12397]]

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) United Instruments, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 13, dated 
March 25, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For United Instruments, Inc. service information identified 
in this AD, contact United Instruments, Inc., 3625 Comotara Avenue, 
Wichita, KS 67226; telephone (316) 636-9203; fax: (316) 636-9243; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: www.unitedinst.com 
or http://www.unitedinst.com/Products/SpecificationsSheets/d132811.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-9345.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2017.
Kelly A. Broadway,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03488 Filed 3-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P