AD 92-11-09

92-11-09 ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL/COLLINS AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEMS: Amendment 39-8259. Docket No. 92-CE-30-AD.

Applicability: TPR-720 Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System/Mode S Transponders, part numbers (P/N) 622-7878-020, and P/N 622-7878-120, installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft (all serial numbers), certificated in any category:

Boeing 737-300, 747, and 767 Series Airplanes

McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Series Airplanes

Fokker F.28 Mark 0100 Series Airplanes

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the loss of the ability to track aircraft positions by radar in high density air traffic areas that could result from transponder malfunction, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish either (1) or (2) below:

(1) Modify the transponder software in accordance with the instructions in Collins Service Bulletin (SB) 8, TPR-720-34-08, dated September 19, 1990. This modification converts transponder P/N 622-7878-020 and 622-7878-120 to P/N 622-7878-200 status.

NOTE 1: Although not required by this AD, accomplishment of Collins SB 14, TPR-720-34-14, dated February 26, 1991, Revision 1, dated June 28, 1991; or Collins SB 15, TPR-720-34-15, dated February 26, 1991, Revision 1, dated June 28, 1991, is recommended after accomplishment of Collins SB 8, TPR-720-34-08. Collins SB 14, TPR-720-34-14, and SB15, TPR-720-34-15, convert transponder P/N 622-7878-200 to transponder P/N 622-7878-201 status or transponder P/N 622-7878-300 status, respectively.

(2) Modify the transponder hardware in accordance with the instructions in Collins SB C, TPR-720-34-C, dated April 28, 1992.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

(c) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Collins Service Bulletin 8, TPR-720-34-08, dated September 19, 1990; or Collins Service Bulletin C, TPR-720-34-C, dated April 28, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Rockwell International/Collins Air Transport Division, 400 Collins Road, NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street, NW; Room 8401, Washington, DC.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on May 28, 1992.