2001-10-09: Automatic Flight Control Systems

2001-10-09 Honeywell: Amendment 39-12235; Docket No. 2001-CE-08-AD. (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following Honeywell automatic flight control systems (AFCS) that are installed in, but not limited to, the airplanes listed below: (1) Affected KC 225 AFCS: Unit Part No. Applicable to Serial No. KC-225 065-00183-0101 All units 065-00183-0201 065-00183-0301 065-00183-0401 065-00183-0501 065-00183-0601 065-00183-2501 065-00183-2601 065-00183-2701 065-00183-2801 065-00183-2901 065-00183-3001 (2) List of airplanes where the affected AFCS could be installed. This is not a comprehensive list and airplanes not on this list that have an affected AFCS installed through field approval or other methods are still affected by this AD: Manufacturer Airplane models Aerostar Aircraft Corporation PA-60-700P. The Cessna Aircraft Company 208 and 208B. Commander Aircraft Corporation 114B and 114TC. Mooney Aircraft Corporation M20M and M20R. The New Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-34-220T and PA-46-350P. Raytheon Aircraft Company (Beech) 58, 95-55, 95-C55, A36, B36TC, D55, and E55. SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale TB20 and TB21. (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any airplane that incorporates one of the affected Honeywell automatic flight control systems must comply with this AD. (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an undesirable autotrim command that the autopilot cannot detect in the required time. The airplane could then deviate from the selected altitude or the autopilot could disconnect without warning, which could result in heavy loads at the control column. Such loads in the pitch axis could result in loss of control of the airplane. (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this problem, you must do the following actions, unless alreadydone: Action Compliance time Procedures (1) Inspect the KC 225 automatic flight control system (AFCS) (Part Number 065-00183-0101, -0201, -0301, -0401, -0501, -0601, -2501, -2601, -2701, -2801, -2901, or -3001) to determine the currently installed computer modifications (Mods). These modifications are indicated on the AFCS serial number tag. Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after June 15, 2001 (the effective date of this AD). Do this following the Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 472 Alert, Revision 1, dated January 2001. (2) If only Mods 1 and/or 2 are incorporated, accomplish the following: (i) Deactivate the KC 225 AFCS by pulling and banding the autopilot circuit breaker(s) to prevent operation of the KC 225 AFCS in flight; and. (ii) Fabricate a placard that indicates the KC 225 AFCS is inoperative, and install this placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view. The placard should use letters of at least 0.10-inch in height and contain the following words: "KC 225 AFCS INOPERATIVE.". Prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (d)(1) of this AD. Accomplish the deactivation in accordance with Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 472 Alert, Revision 1, dated January 2001. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may accomplish the placard requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). (3) As an alternative method of compliance to paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of this AD for the KC 225 AFCS with only Mods 1 and/or 2 installed, accomplish either of the following to return the KC 225 AFCS to operation. (i) Return the AFCS to the Honeywell Service Center for modification to install Mod 1, 2, and 3 (orhigher) levels and then incorporate this AFCS on the airplane; or. (ii) Contact Honeywell Product Support for a warranty replacement KC 225 AFCS that contains Mod 1, 2, and 3 (or higher) levels and then incorporate this AFCS on the airplane. At any time as terminating action for all other requirements of this AD. Do this following the Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 472 Alert, Revision 1, dated January 2001. (4) If no Mods are installed or at least Mods 1, 2, and 3 are installed, ensure that the aircraft records identify Mod status. No further action is required by this AD. Prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (d)(1) of this AD. Do this following the Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 472 Alert, Revision 1, dated January 2001. (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if: (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office approves your alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO. Note: This AD applies to each airplane with a Honeywell automatic flight control computer identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 (e) of this AD. You should include in the request an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Clyde Erwin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4149; facsimile: (329)946-4407. (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 472 Alert, Revision 1, dated January 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Honeywell, Business & General Aviation, OneTechnology Center, 23500 W. 105th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061. You can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2001.