2023-10-02: Indicating/Recording System, 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-23-12, Amendment 39-21810 (86 FR 69984, December 9, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-10-02 Transport and Commuter Category Airplanes: Amendment 39-22438; Docket No. FAA-2022-1647; Project Identifier AD-2022-01379-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 26, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-23-12, Amendment 39-21810 (86 FR 69984, December 9, 2021) (AD 2021-23-12). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all transport and commuter category airplanes equipped with a radio (also known as radar) altimeter. These radio altimeters are installed on various transport and commuter category airplanes including, but not limited to, the airplanes for which the design approval holder is identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (18) of this AD. (1) The Boeing Company (2) Airbus SAS (3) Bombardier Inc. (4) Embraer S.A. (including type certificates previously held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A., which are now held by Embraer S.A.) (5) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (6) Gulfstream Aerospace LP (7) Textron Aviation Inc. (8) Pilatus Aircraft Limited (9) Fokker Services B.V. (10) Saab AB, Support and Services (11) DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (12) Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (13) ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional (14) MHI RJ Aviation ULC (15) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (16) Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (17) Viking Air Limited (18) Dassault Aviation (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Indicating/Recording System; 34, Navigation. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band). The FAA is issuing this AD because radio altimeter anomalies that are undetected by the automation or pilot, particularly close to the ground ( e.g., landing flare), could lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing. Additionally, radio altimeter anomalies could lead to increased flightcrew workload and flightcrew desensitization to warnings. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions (1) For purposes of this AD, a "radio altimeter tolerant airplane" is one for which the radio altimeter, as installed, demonstrates the tolerances specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD, using a method approved by the FAA. No actions are required by this AD for radio altimeter tolerant airplanes. (i) Tolerance to radio altimeter interference, for the fundamental emissions (3.7-3.98 GHz), at or above the power spectral density (PSD) curve threshold specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD. Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(i)- Fundamental Effective Isotropic PSD at Outside Interface of Airplane Antenna BILLING CODE 6820-61-P ER26MY23.030 (ii) Tolerance to radio altimeter interference, for the spurious emissions (4.2-4.4 GHz), at or above the PSD curve threshold specified in figure 2 to paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD. Figure 2 to paragraph (g)(1)(ii)- Spurious Effective Isotropic PSD at Outside Interface of Airplane Antenna ER26MY23.031 (2) For purposes of this AD, a "non-radio altimeter tolerant airplane" is one for which the radio altimeter, as installed, does not demonstrate the tolerances specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (h) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision Until June 30, 2023 For non-radio altimeter tolerant airplanes, before further flight, revise the Limitations Section of the existing AFM to include the information specified in figure 3 to paragraph (h) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of figure 3 to paragraph (h) of this AD into the existing AFM. If an operator has complied with paragraph (g) of AD 2021-23-12, that action satisfies the requirements of this paragraph. Figure 3 to paragraph (h)- AFM Revision ER26MY23.032 (i) AFM Revision After June 30, 2023 For non-radio altimeter tolerant airplanes, do the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) On or before June 30, 2023, revise the Limitations Section of the existing AFM to include the information specified in figure 4 to paragraph (i) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of figure 4 to paragraph (i) of this AD into the existing AFM. Incorporating the AFM revision required by this paragraph terminates the AFM revision required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (2) Before further flight after incorporating the limitations specified in figure 4 to paragraph (i) of this AD, remove the AFM revision required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Figure 4 to paragraph (i)- AFM Revision for Non-Radio Altimeter Tolerant Airplanes ER26MY23.033 (j) Terminating Action for AFM Limitations (1) Modifying the airplane from a non-radio altimeter tolerant airplane to a radio altimeter tolerant airplane terminates the limitations in paragraph (i) of this AD for that airplane. (2) After modifying the airplane to a radio altimeter tolerant airplane, the limitations specified by paragraph (i) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Operational Safety 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 manager of the Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2021-23-12 are approved as AMOCs for the requirements specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Brett Portwood, Continued Operational Safety Technical Advisor, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 817-222-5390; email: operationalsafety@faa.gov . (m) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on May 23, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-11371 Filed 5-24-23; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 6820-61-P