2021-18-17: Auto flight

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-21-08, Amendment 39-17224 (77 FR 64711, October 23, 2012); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2021-18-17 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21718; Docket No. FAA-2020-0103; Product Identifier 2019-NM-149-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 20, 2021. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2012-21-08, Amendment 39-17224 (77 FR 64711, October 23, 2012) (AD 2012-21-08). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports that during autopilot coupled instrument landing system (ILS) approaches, the airplane did not capture or track the glideslope correctly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which could allow the airplane to descend below the glideslope beam and result in controlled flight into terrain. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Part Numbers Inspection, With Revised Paragraph References and Removed Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2012-21-08, with revised paragraph references and removed terminating action. For The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category; delivered with the Rockwell Collins Enhanced Digital Flight Control System (EDFCS), as identified in the variable number table in Section 1.A.1., Effectivity, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, and not defined by the "Group 1" description in Section 1.A. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010: Within 3 months after November 27, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-21-08), inspect to determine the part number of the operational program software (OPS) of the flight control computers (FCCs), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, and install the software as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, or verify that the software is installed as specified by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (1) For any OPS having a part number identified in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010: Before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii), as applicable. (i) Install software identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010. (ii) Install software identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224, dated May 18, 2012, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010. (2) For any OPS having a part number identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010; or in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224, dated May 18, 2012: No further action is required by this paragraph. (h) Retained Optional Software Installation, With Revised Paragraph References This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2012-21-08, with revised paragraph references. Installing a version of the FCC OPS approved after May 18, 2012 (the issue date of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224) terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD are met. (1) The version of the FCC OPS must be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA; the Manager, Boeing Aviation Safety Oversight Office (BASOO), FAA; or The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). If approved by the ODA, the approval must include the ODA-authorized signature. (2) The installation must be done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA; the Manager, BASOO, FAA; or The Boeing Company ODA. If approved by the ODA, the approval must include the ODA-authorized signature. (i) New Requirement of This AD: Inspection For all airplanes: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine the FCC OPS vendor and version installed on FCC A and FCC B. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the FCC OPS vendor and version can be conclusively determined from that review. (j) New Requirement of This AD: Software Installation (1) For airplanes equipped with Rockwell Collins FCCs with FCC OPS version P8.0 or P9.0 software: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021. Note 1 to paragraph (j)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1322, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021. (2) For airplanes not equipped with Rockwell Collins FCCs with FCC OPS version P8.0 or P9.0 software: No further action is required by this paragraph. (k) New Requirement of This AD: Parts Installation Prohibition For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install Rockwell Collins FCC OPS software version P1.1, P2.0, P3.0, P8.0, or P9.0, on any airplane. (l) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, dated November 21, 2018. (m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (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. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company ODA that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (n) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael J. Tucker, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3974; email: [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (o)(5) and (6) of this AD. (o) 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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 20, 2021. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on November 27, 2012 (77 FR 64711, October 23, 2012). (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010. (ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224, dated May 18, 2012. (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (7) 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on August 30, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-24864 Filed 11-12-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P