Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system installed on the center instrument control panel near the throttle. This proposed AD would require you to install an update to the operating software of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, change the unit's part number, and change the software modification identification tab. This proposed AD is the result of reports of inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent unintentionally engaging the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which could cause the pilot to take inappropriate actions.

DATES:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments on this proposed rule on or before September 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-28-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent electronically must contain “Docket No. 2003-CE-28-AD” in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD from Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 942-9006 and Honeywell, Business, Regional, and General Aviation, 23500 W. 105th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061. You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dan Withers, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4196; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the proposed rule's docket number and submit your comments to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay Attention To?

The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the proposed rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write “Comments to Docket No. 2003-CE-28-AD.” We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

We have received reports of an unsafe condition on certain Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system.

The KAP 140 autopilot computer system is located on the lower portion of the center instrument control panel near the throttle on these Cessna airplanes. Because of this location on the instrument control panel of the affected Cessna airplanes, the Autopilot Engage (AP) button could unintentionally be depressed when the pilot pushes the throttle knob forward. The pilot could also unintentionally engage the autopilot system by inadvertently bumping the Heading (HDG) button, Altitude (ALT) mode-select button, or Autopilot Engage (AP) button on the KAP 140 computer. Unless intentionally engaged, the pilot does not know that the autopilot system is engaged.

The Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system is also installed in the New Piper, Inc. Model PA-28-181 airplanes. This proposed AD would not affect these airplanes because of the location of the equipment. The equipment is installed on the center instrument panel near the throttle on the affected airplanes, but is installed in the upper half of the instrument control panel on the Piper airplanes. The unsafe condition only exists on the Cessna airplanes.

Honeywell has updated the operating software for the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which will now only allow the AP button on the instrument control panel to engage the autopilot system. This update also adds two voice messages if auto trim operation is detected, lengthens the amount of time that the autopilot button must be depressed in order for it to engage, and changes how the flight control display shows that the AP has been engaged.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

If not corrected, inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system could cause the pilot to take inappropriate actions.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

Cessna has issued Service Bulletin SB02-22-01, dated November 25, 2002.

Honeywell has issued Service Bulletin No: KC 140-M1, dated August 2002; and Installation Bulletin No: 491, dated August 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

Cessna Service Bulletin SB02-22-02, dated November 25, 2002, specifies installing an update to the autopilot computer system operating software by accomplishing the actions in Honeywell Service Bulletin No: KC 140-M1, dated August 2002.

Honeywell Service Bulletin No: KC 140-M1, dated August 2002, includes procedures for:

—Installing an update to the autopilot computer system operating software;

—Changing the unit part number;

—Placing an M tag on the unit serial number tag; and

—Changing the unit's software modification tag.

Honeywell Installation Bulletin No: 491, dated August 2002, describes the operational changes the software update makes to the KC 140 autopilot computer system.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of this Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, we have determined that:

—The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could develop on other Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H of the same type design;

—The actions specified in the previously-referenced service information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and

—AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

This proposed AD would require you to update to the operating software of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system; change the unit's part number; and change the software modification identification tab.

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This Proposed AD?

On July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3,681 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish this proposed modification:

Not all Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes on the U.S. registry have a KAP 140 autopilot computer system installed.

Honeywell will provide warranty credit for labor and parts to the extent noted under WARRANTY INFORMATION in each specified in Honeywell Service Bulletin No: KC 140-M1, dated August 2002.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.