AD 93-04-02

93-04-02 ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL/COLLINS AVIATION DIVISION: Amendment 39-8504. Docket No. 93-CE-18-AD.

Applicability: TDR-94D Mode S transponders, P/N CPN 622-9210-002, installed on, but not limited to the following, certificated in any category:

Aerospatiale ATR-42 and ATR-72 series airplanes

Saab 340A and 340B airplanes

Short Model SD3-60 airplanes

de Havilland DHC-7 and DHC-8 series airplanes

British Aerospace ATP airplanes

Gulfstream G-II, G-III, and G-IV series airplanes

Dassault Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Mystere-Falcon 900 airplanes

Canadair Challenger CL-601 airplanes

British Aerospace HS 125-700A airplanes

Beechcraft 300 series airplanes

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless already accomplished.

To prevent a mid-air collision or a near-miss situation caused by failure of these Mode S transponders, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 10 calendar days after theeffective date of this AD, fabricate a placard with the following words in letters at least 0.10-inch in height and install this placard within the pilot's clear view on the instrument panel: "OPERATION OF TCAS II IN ANY MODE OTHER THAN THE "TA ONLY" MODE IS PROHIBITED."

(b) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, modify the software of the Mode S transponders in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Collins Service Bulletin TDR-94/94D-34-6, Revision 2, dated September 21, 1992. The placard required by paragraph (a) of this AD is no longer required after this modification is incorporated.

(c) If parts for the above modification are not available, the airplane operator may comply with the placard requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD until the modification is incorporated based upon a schedule established by the manufacturer through the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

(d) Special flight permits may be issuedin accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta 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 Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

(f) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Collins Service Bulletin TDR-94/94D-34-6, Revision 2, dated September 21, 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 General Aviation Division, 1100 West Hibiscus Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32901. 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, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 26, 1993.