82 FR 25978 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 107 (June 6, 2017)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various normal and transport category rotorcraft with certain Honeywell EGPWS installed. This proposed AD would require updating the software version of the EGPWS. This proposed AD is prompted by a software defect that prevents the EGPWS from providing terrain warnings. The proposed actions are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25978-25980]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11174]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0492; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-025-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. 
(Honeywell) Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
various normal and transport category rotorcraft with certain Honeywell 
EGPWS installed. This proposed AD would require updating the software 
version of the EGPWS. This proposed AD is prompted by a software defect 
that prevents the EGPWS from providing terrain warnings. The proposed 
actions are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 7, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0492; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Honeywell International Inc., 15001 NE. 36 Street, Redmond, Washington 
98052-5317; telephone (800) 601-3099; internet address 
www.myaerospace.com. You may review the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Heredia, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; 
telephone (562) 627-5335; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Honeywell MK XXI EGPWS part number 
(P/N) 965-1227-005 and MK XXII EGPWS P/N 965-1595-020, P/N 965-1595-
021, 965-1595-022, 965-1595-024, 965-1595-026, 965-1595-028, and 965-
1595-030 installed on various normal and transport category helicopters 
from five manufacturers. This proposed AD would require updating the 
software of the EGPWS. This proposed AD is prompted by a software 
defect found by Honeywell in certain MK XXI and MK XXII EGPWSs during 
testing. The testing revealed the terrain alerting feature will not 
function as intended in certain specific geographical areas under 
altitudes of 175-feet mean sea level (MSL). According to Honeywell, the 
terrain display is not affected by the defect and will correctly 
present terrain and its corresponding elevation information. However, 
in some locations, the EGPWS will not issue a warning or caution for 
terrain, water, or obstacles below 175 feel MSL. Without this feature 
of the EGPWS, the helicopter could potentially operate into threatening 
terrain or obstacles without providing any warning to the crew, 
resulting in loss of the helicopter. Since the defect was discovered, 
Honeywell has developed a software modification (MOD) that corrects 
this condition.

Record of Ex Parte Communication

    In preparation of AD actions such as notices of proposed rulemaking 
and immediately adopted final rules, it is the practice of the FAA to 
obtain technical information and information on the operational and 
economic impact from design approval holders and aircraft operators. We 
discussed certain aspects of this proposed AD by email with Honeywell. 
A copy of each email contact can be found in the rulemaking docket. For 
information on locating the docket, see ``Examining the AD Docket.''

[[Page 25979]]

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) 965-1227-34-0001, 
Revision 0, dated May 4, 2015 (SB 965-1227-34-0001); Honeywell SB 965-
1595-34-0034, Revision 0, dated February 18, 2015 (SB 965-1595-34-
0034); and Honeywell SB 965-1595-34-0035, Revision 0, dated March 25, 
2015 (SB 965-1595-34-0035). SB 965-1227-34-0001 specifies procedures 
for installing and verifying a software MOD to a certain part-numbered 
MK XXI EGPWS and for replacing the front panel label identifying the 
software version. SB 965-1595-34-0034 specifies procedures for 
installing and verifying a software MOD to certain part-numbered MK 
XXII EGPWS and for replacing the front panel label identifying the 
software version. SB 965-1595-34-0035 specifies procedures for 
installing and verifying a software MOD to certain part-numbered MK 
XXII EGPWS and for replacing the front panel label identifying the 
software version. This service information also states that terrain 
database version 437 must be installed prior to updating the EGPWS 
software.
    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 of this 
NPRM.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Honeywell SB ATA No. 965-1590/1595-34-18, dated 
July 30, 2004. This service information contains procedures for 
updating the MK XXII EGPWS with terrain database version 437 and 
verifying the updated software was successfully installed.

Proposed AD Requirements

    By following certain procedures in the manufacturer's service 
bulletin, this proposed AD would require, within 1,080 hours time-in-
service (TIS), installing terrain database version 437 if not already 
installed; updating, installing, and confirming software MOD 1 or MOD 2 
as determined by the model and serial number of the EGPWS; and 
replacing the software version label on the EGPWS front face.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information requires the software MODs to be 
accomplished within 60 months, while this proposed AD would require 
compliance within 1,080 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 3,000 appliances 
installed on helicopters of U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this proposed AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per 
hour, updating and confirming the software and replacing the software 
version label would require about 0.5 work-hour, and required parts 
would cost $2,500, for a total cost of $2,543 per helicopter and 
$7,629,000 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Honeywell's service information all of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty 
coverage by Honeywell. Accordingly, 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

    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, 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 to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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):

Honeywell International, Inc. (Honeywell): Docket No. FAA-2017-0492; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-025-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honeywell MK XXI Enhanced Ground Proximity 
Warning System (EGPWS) part number (P/N) 965-1227-005 with software 
modification (MOD) 1 and MK XXII EGPWS P/N 965-1595-020 with MOD 1, 
P/N 965-1595-021 with MOD 1, 965-1595-022 with MOD 1, 965-1595-024 
with MOD 1, 965-1595-026 with MOD 1, 965-1595-028 with MOD 0, and 
965-1595-030 with MOD 0. These EGPWSs are installed on, but not 
limited to, the following helicopters, certificated in any category:
    (1) Agusta S.p.A. Model A109 and AW139;
    (2) Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 
AS355N, AS355NP, SA-365N, EC130B4, EC130T2, EC 155B, EC155B1, and 
EC225LP;
    (3) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, 
EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3;
    (4) Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Model 212 and 412;
    (5) Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 407;

[[Page 25980]]

    (6) Bell Helicopter Textron Model 430;
    (7) MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900; and
    (8) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76B, S-76C, S-76D, and 
S-92A.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of an EGPWS to 
generate a terrain warning, which could result in flight into 
terrain.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 7, 2017.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 1,080 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Install terrain database version 437 if not already 
installed.
    (2) For helicopters with an MK XXI EGPWS P/N 965-1227-005:
    (i) Update the software by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.(1)(a) through 3.B.(1)(j), of Honeywell 
Service Bulletin (SB) 965-1227-34-0001, Revision 0, dated May 4, 
2015 (SB 965-1227-34-0001).
    (ii) Determine whether the software updated by following 
paragraphs 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(d) of SB 965-1227-34-0001.
    (iii) Install a new software version label on the EGPWS by 
following paragraph 3.D.(1) or 3.D.(2), as appropriate for your 
model EGPWS, of SB 965-1227-34-0001.
    (3) For helicopters with an MK XXII EGPWS P/N 965-1595-020, P/N 
965-1595-021, or P/N 965-1595-022:
    (i) Update the software by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.C.(1)(a) through (h), of Honeywell SB 
965-1595-34-0035, Revision 0, dated March 25, 2015 (SB 965-1595-34-
0035).
    (ii) Determine whether the software updated by following 
paragraphs 3.C.(2)(a) through 3.C.(2)(d)6 or 3.C.(3)(a) through (g) 
of SB 965-1595-34-0035.
    (iii) Install a new software version label on the EGPWS by 
following paragraph 3.E.(1) or 3.E.(2), as appropriate for your 
model EGPWS, of SB 965-1595-34-0035.
    (4) For helicopters with an MK XXII EGPWS P/N 965-1595-024, P/N 
965-1595-026, P/N 965-1595-028, or P/N 965-1595-030:
    (i) Update the software by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.C.(1)(a) through 3.C.(1)(h), of Honeywell 
Service Bulletin 965-1595-34-0034, Revision 0, dated February 18, 
2015 (SB 965-1595-34-0034).
    (ii) Determine whether the software updated by following 
paragraphs 3.C.(2)(a) through 3.C.(2)(d)6 or 3.C.(3)(a) through 
3.C.(3)(g) of SB 965-1595-34-0034.
    (iii) Install a new software version label on the EGPWS by 
following paragraph 3.E.(1) or 3.E.(2), as appropriate for your 
model EGPWS, of SB 965-1595-34-0034.
    (5) Do not install an EGPWS on any helicopter unless you have 
complied with the requirements in this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Judy Heredia, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5335; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    Honeywell SB ATA No. 965-1590/1595-34-18, dated July 30, 2004, 
which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this AD, contact Honeywell International Inc., 15001 
NE. 36 Street, Redmond, Washington, 98052-5317; telephone (800) 601-
3099; internet address www.myaerospace.com. You may review a copy of 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3444 Ground 
Proximity System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11174 Filed 6-5-17; 8:45 am]
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