2023-04-20: Auto Flight System

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: 2023-04-20 Cirrus Design Corporation: Amendment 39-22368; Docket No. FAA-2023-0424; Project Identifier AD-2022-01575-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SF50 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2200, Auto Flight System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of an accident and an incident due to uncommanded activation of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) autopilot mode while in flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the reduced ability of the flight crew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For serial numbers 0005 through 0409 inclusive, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD: Do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, in accordance with steps A., B., and C., of the Accomplishment Instructions of Cirrus SF5X Service Bulletin SB5X-90-14R1, dated January 20, 2023 (Cirrus SB5X-90-14R1), as applicable to the serial number of your airplane. (i) Boot avionics in configuration mode. (ii) Set CAPS activated autopilot to inhibited state. (iii) Fabricate and install information placards. (2) For serial numbers 0005 through 0409 inclusive, within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: Revise the Emergency Procedures section of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for your airplane by inserting Cirrus Vision SF50 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Change TAFM 22-03, dated December 8, 2022, for AFM 31452-001 Revision A1; or Cirrus Vision SF50 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Change TAFM 22-04, dated December 8, 2022, for AFM 31452-002 Revision 3, as applicable to your airplane. (3) For all serial numbers, within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: Revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable to your airplane, by incorporating the language in figure 1 to paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. This action can be done by placing a copy of this AD in the ALS of the existing AMM for your airplane. Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)(3)-Inhibit CAPS Autopilot Mode ER06MR23.011 (4) For serial numbers 0005 through 0409 inclusive, the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with the applicable paragraphs of this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (5) For all serial numbers, the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with the applicable paragraphs of this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (6) For serial numbers 0005 through 0409 inclusive on which Field Modification FRA00019905 has not been done, within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: Modify the wiring to remove the CAPS power timer functionality in accordance with step D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Cirrus SB5X-90-14R1. (h) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of this AD using Cirrus SF5X Service Bulletin SB5X-90-14, dated December 8, 2022. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Chicago 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 (j) of this AD. (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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Joe Dubusky, Aviation Safety Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-7543; email: joseph.dubusky@faa.gov. (k) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Cirrus SF5X Service Bulletin SB5X-90-14R1, dated January 20, 2023. (ii) Cirrus Vision SF50 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Change TAFM 22-03, dated December 8, 2022, for AFM 31452-001 Revision A1. (iii) Cirrus Vision SF50 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Change TAFM 22-04, dated December 8, 2022, for AFM 31452-002 Revision 3. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, MN 55811; phone: (833) 735-0651; email: info@cirrusaircraft.com; website: cirrusaircraft.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (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 March 2, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-04631 Filed 3-2-23; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P