Rule2022-03000
Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
February 14, 2022
Effective
March 21, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various airplanes modified with certain configurations of Garmin G3X Touch Electronic Flight Instrument System installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01899WI or Garmin GI 275 Multi-Function Display (MFD) installed per STC No. SA02658SE. This AD was prompted by a report of a fuel quantity disparity between the amount of fuel indicated and the actual amount of fuel. This AD requires modifying the resistive fuel probe interface. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8158-8167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03000]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0715; Project Identifier AD-2021-00259-A;
Amendment 39-21932; AD 2022-03-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
various airplanes modified with certain configurations of Garmin G3X
Touch Electronic Flight Instrument System installed per Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01899WI or Garmin GI 275 Multi-Function
Display (MFD) installed per STC No. SA02658SE. This AD was prompted by
a report of a fuel quantity disparity between the amount of fuel
indicated and the actual amount of fuel. This AD requires modifying the
resistive fuel probe interface. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 21,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Garmin International, Garmin Aviation Support, 1200 E 151st
Street, Olathe, KS 66062; phone: (866) 739-5687; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2746514e48494e4454674046554a4e490944484a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7213041b1d1c1b1101321513001f1b1c5c111d1f">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/support/">https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/support/</a>. 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. It is also available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0715.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0715; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Marks, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone:
(316) 946-4153; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#09626c7f60672764687b627a496f6868276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="432826352a2d6d2e22312830032522226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c394aaa0abaab7a2ee808c9083a5a2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c4b757f7475687d315f534f5c7a7d7d327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to various airplanes
modified with certain configurations of Garmin G3X Touch Electronic
Flight Instrument System installed per STC No. SA01899WI or Garmin GI
275 MFD installed per STC No. SA02658SE. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 27, 2021 (86 FR 48070). The NPRM was
prompted by notification of a Piper production line issue with the
installation of a Garmin G3X Touch Electronic Flight Instrument System
installed under STC No. SA01899WI. After calibration and fueling the
airplane to a known level, the flight crew noted that the fuel quantity
indicator displayed a higher level of fuel.
The Garmin G3X Touch Electronic Flight Instrument System, when
interfaced with the Garmin GEA 24 (Engine Airframe Adapter) for display
of the fuel quantity, uses a 1K ohm resistor inline between the GEA 24
and the airplane fuel quantity resistance style sending unit (float).
This resistor provides lightning protection to the fuel tank as
required by 14 CFR 23.954.
Use of the 1K resistor causes a GEA error when the GEA 24 or
resistor is subjected to significantly hotter or colder temperatures
than the temperature at which the fuel gauges were calibrated during
installation. The farther the actual (ambient) temperature of the GEA
24 or resistor is from the temperature of the fuel quantity
calibration, the larger the error. The lower the operating resistance
of the fuel sending unit, the larger the error. The largest errors
occur in installations with fuel sending units having an operational
range less than 100 ohms. The Garmin GI 275 MFDs installed under STC
No. SA02658SE, when interfaced with the Garmin GEA 24 for display of
the fuel quantity, is also subject to this unsafe condition.
The displayed fuel quantity can have an error as much as four
gallons/fuel tank with the display indicating four gallons with an
empty tank. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the
resistive fuel probe interface. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
fuel starvation and engine shutdown, which could result in the
inability to arrive at the destination airport or a suitable
alternative airport.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Garmin. The following presents the
comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Requests Regarding Background Information
Garmin requested the FAA correct certain information in the
preamble. In the NPRM, the FAA stated that use of the 1K resistor
causes a GEA error when the resistor temperature changes. According to
Garmin, using the 1K resistor causes a GEA error when the GEA 24
temperature changes. Garmin further noted that 1k resistors are
installed near the GEA 24 plug and are exposed to the same ambient
temperatures.
The FAA agrees with correcting the preamble and has changed this
final rule to clarify that a GEA error results from the GEA 24 being
subjected to significantly hotter or colder temperatures than the
temperature at which the fuel gauges were calibrated during
installation. The FAA disagrees with the requested changes regarding
the location of the resistors. The commenter's request is not supported
by the information in the installation manual, which does not require
the resistor to be installed near the GEA 24.
Garmin also requested that the FAA remove the exact error amount
(i.e., four
[[Page 8159]]
gallons) between the displayed fuel quantity and the actual amount of
fuel. Garmin stated that due to variations in different aircraft system
configurations, this amount could be misleading.
Removing the reference to 4 gallons would minimize the potential
magnitude of the error and the need for AD action. The FAA did not
change this AD based on this comment.
Garmin noted a typographical error in that the NPRM referred to
``MFDS'' instead of ``MFDs.''
The FAA agrees and has corrected all references to MFDs
accordingly.
Request Regarding Unsafe Condition
Garmin requested that the FAA change the description of the
inevitable consequence of the unsafe condition. In the NPRM, the FAA
stated the unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fuel
starvation and engine shutdown with consequent loss of airplane
control. Garmin stated that this incorrectly implies that loss of
airplane control is the inevitable consequence of fuel starvation and
engine shutdown. Garmin requested the FAA revise the preamble to state
that loss of airplane control is one of many possible outcomes.
The FAA agrees that loss of control is not an inevitable result of
fuel starvation. In the context of this event, the end level effect is
the loss of powered flight to the destination airport. Accordingly, the
FAA has revised the background section of the preamble and the unsafe
condition paragraph of the AD to reflect that fuel starvation and
engine shutdown could result in the inability to arrive at the
destination airport or a suitable alternative airport.
Request Regarding Applicability
Garmin requested the FAA revise the AD to remove several airplane
models that are not subject to the unsafe condition. Garmin listed
these models as follows: The Boeing Company Model AT-6 (Navy SNJ-2),
AT-6A (Navy SNJ-3), AT-6B, AT-6C (Navy SNJ-4), AT-6D (Navy SNJ-5), AT-
6F (Navy SNJ-6), BC- 1A, Navy SNJ-7, and T-6G; Cessna Aircraft Company
Model T-50 (Army AT-17 and UC-78 series, Navy JRC-1); Costruzioni
Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. Model P2006T; Daher Aircraft Design, LLC
(type certificate previously held by Quest Aircraft Design, LLC) Model
Kodiak 100; EADS-PZL Warszawa-Ok[eogon]cie S.A. Model PZL-104 Wilga 80;
Helio Alaska, Inc. Model H-800; Howard Aircraft Foundation Model DGA-
15J (Army UC-70B), DGA-15P (Army UC-70, Navy GH-1, GH-2, GH-3, NH-1),
and DGA-15W; Textron Aviation Inc. Model G17S; Thrush Aircraft, LLC
Model 600 S-2D, S2R, S2R-R1340, S2R-Rl820, S2R-R3S, and S2R-T34; and
Waco Aircraft Company Model YMF airplanes.
The FAA agrees and has revised the list of applicable models
accordingly.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for the changes described
previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 2134,
Revision A, and Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 2135, Revision A,
both dated April 23, 2021. This service information specifies
procedures for modifying the GEA 24 resistive fuel probe interface.
These documents are distinct since they apply to different STCs. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Master Drawing List (MDL) Document No. 005-
01320-00, Revision 10, for STC No. SA01899WI; and MDL Drawing No. 005-
01208-41, Revision 10, for STC No. SA02658SE; both dated April 23,
2021. This service information contains the type design data for
installation of the STC. MDL Document No. 005-01320-00, Revision 10,
dated April 23, 2021, introduces a new fuel quantity interface and
configuration to eliminate the unsafe condition described previously.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 920 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane operators
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Modify fuel probe interface and 8 work-hours x $85 per $10 $690 $634,800
recalibrate the fuel system. hour = $680.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
[[Page 8160]]
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2022-03-15 Various Airplanes: Amendment 39-21932; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0715; Project Identifier AD-2021-00259-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all serial numbers of the airplane models
listed in table 1 to paragraph (c), certificated in any category,
that are either:
(1) Modified with a Garmin G3X Touch Electronic Flight
Instrument System under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No.
SA01899WI, installed in accordance with Master Drawing List (MDL)
Document No. 005-01320-00, Revision 9 or earlier, interfaced with a
Garmin Engine Adapter GEA 24 connected to resistive fuel probes; or
(2) Modified with a Garmin GI 275 Multi-Function Display under
STC No. SA02658SE, installed in accordance with MDL Revision 9 or
earlier, interfaced with a Garmin Engine Adapter GEA 24 connected to
resistive fuel probes.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin
No. 2134, Revision A, and Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin No.
2135, Revision A, both dated April 23, 2021, contain information for
how to determine if your airplane has a resistive probe interface.
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(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2841, Fuel Quantity
Indicator.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel quantity disparities
between the amount of fuel indicated and the actual amount of fuel.
The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure that the amount of fuel
indicated is the amount of fuel available. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in fuel starvation and engine shutdown
which could result in the inability to arrive at the destination
airport or a suitable alternative airport.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Action
Within 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of
this AD or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, modify the fuel probe interface by following
the Modification Instructions in Garmin Mandatory STC Service
Bulletin 2134, Revision A, or Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin
2135, Revision A, both dated April 23, 2021, whichever is
applicable.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Wichita 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 (i) 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.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Marks,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4153; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c47495a454202414d5e475f6c4a4d4d024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3d8d6c5dadd9dded2c1d8c0f3d5d2d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#56013f353e3f22377b1519051630373778313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9be808a81809d88c4aaa6baa98f8888c78e869f">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 2134, Revision A,
dated April 23, 2021.
(ii) Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 2135, Revision A,
dated April 23, 2021.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Garmin International, Garmin Aviation Support, 1200 E 151st Street,
Olathe, KS 66062; phone: (866) 739-5687; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1475627d7b7a7d776754737566797d7a3a777b79"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e2f38272120272d3d0e292f3c232720602d2123">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: <a href="https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/support/">https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/support/</a>.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adcbdf83c4c3deddc8ced9c4c2c3edc3ccdfcc83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2c38642324393a2f293e2325240a242b382b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
[[Page 8167]]
Issued on January 25, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03000 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
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