2023-02-16: Navigation

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-02-16 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-22323; Docket No. FAA-2022-1152; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00260-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 4, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with Honeywell inertial reference unit (IRU) part number (P/N) HG2001BC02 or P/N HG2001BC04. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that certain IRUs have out-of-date magnetic variation (MagVar) tables. The FAA is issuing this AD to address IRUs having outdated MagVar lookup tables, which could lead to inaccurate inertial reference system calculations, possibly resulting in increased risk of controlled flight into terrain, or collision with another airplane and injury to occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply: (1) Affected IRU: A Honeywell IRU having P/N HG2001BC02 using a MagVar lookup table from 1990, or P/N HG2001BC04 using a MagVar lookup table from 1995. (2) WMM: World Magnetic Model, which is the standard model for navigation, altitude, and heading referencing systems using the geomagnetic field. The WMM is produced at 5-year intervals. The existing WMM as of November 16, 2022 was released December 10, 2019. (h) Magnetic Variation Assessment Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 years, assess the accuracy of an affected IRU's MagVar data table, in accordance with the Recommendations of BAE Systems All Operator Message 21-011V-1, Issue 1, dated September 27, 2021. (1) If the difference between an affected IRU's MagVar data table and the existing WMM MagVar data tables is less than or equal to 2 degrees for the routes that the airplane may operate, no further action is required until the assessment is repeated, as required by the introductory text to paragraph (h) of this AD. (2) If the difference between an affected IRU's MagVar data table and the existing WMM MagVar data tables is greater than 2 degrees for the routes that the airplane may operate: Do the actions required by paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) Within three months after the effective date of this AD or before further flight after the assessment in the introductory text to paragraph (h) of this AD, whichever occurs later: Update the airplane's affected IRU MagVar data tables in accordance with the Recommendations of BAE Systems All Operator Message 21-011V-1, Issue 1, dated September 27, 2021. (ii) Comply with the provisions specified in, and at the times specified in, paragraphs (h)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this AD. (A) Further flight is prohibited in areas where the difference between the installed and the existing MagVar values exceeds the 2 degree tolerance unless both terrain awareness warning system (TAWS) and traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) are installed and operative. (B) Before further flight, revise the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) to prohibit dispatch unless both TAWS and TCAS are installed and operative. (3) If an affected IRU's MagVar data table cannot be determined, follow the procedures specified in the Recommendations of BAE Systems All Operator Message 21-011V-1, Issue 1, dated September 27, 2021. (4) This AD does not require operators to provide flightcrews with certain operating procedures as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR part 91). (i) Terminating Action for MEL Prohibition Updating both affected IRUs, as specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD, terminates the MEL prohibition specified in paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, provided both TAWS and TCAS are installed and operative. (j) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the UK CAA; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's UK CAA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (k) Additional Information (1) Refer to U.K. CAA AD G-2022-0005, dated February 24, 2022, for related information. This U.K. CAA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1152. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3228; email Todd.Thompson@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) BAE Systems All Operator Message 21-011V-1, Issue 1, dated September 27, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email RApublications@baesystems.com; website regional-service.com. (4) 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. (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, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on January 27, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-04030 Filed 2-27-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P