[Federal Register: February 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 27)]
[Notices]
[Page 6895-6896]
[DOCID:fr11fe09-58]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2008-N-0571]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office
of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Guidance for Industry
and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Compliance With the Medical
Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002, as Amended: Prominent
and Conspicuous Mark of Manufacturers on Single-Use Devices (formerly
``Reprocessed Single-Use Device Labeling'')

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a
proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Fax written comments on the collection of information by March
13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on the information collection are
received, OMB recommends that written comments be faxed to the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer,
FAX:<PHONE_NUMBER>, or e-mailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>All
comments should be identified with the OMB control number 0910-0577.
Also include the FDA docket number found in brackets in the heading of
this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denver Presley, Jr., Office of
Information Management (HFA-710), Food and Drug Administration, 5600
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, FDA has
submitted the following proposed collection of information to OMB for
review and clearance.

Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff;
Compliance With Section 301 of the Medical Device User Fee and
Modernization Act of 2002, as Amended: Prominent and Conspicuous Mark
of Manufacturers on Single-Use Devices (formerly ``Reprocessed Single-
Use Device Labeling'') (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Section
502(u)) (OMB Control Number 0910-0577)--Extension

    Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act)
(21 U.S.C. 352), among other things, establishes requirements that the
label or labeling of a medical device must meet so that it is not
misbranded and subject to regulatory action. Section 301 of the Medical
Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-250)
amended section 502 of the act to add section 502(u) to require devices
(both new and reprocessed) to bear prominently and conspicuously the
name of the manufacturer, a generally recognized abbreviation of such
name, or a unique and generally recognized symbol identifying the
manufacturer. Thus, the name for this information collection activity
has been changed to

more accurately describe the information collection content.
    Section 2(c) of The Medical Device User Fee Stabilization Act of
2005 (Public Law 109-43) amends section 502(u) of the act by limiting
the provision to reprocessed single-use devices (SUDs) and the
manufacturers who reprocess them. Under the amended provision, if the
original SUD or an attachment to it prominently and conspicuously bears
the name of the manufacturer, then the reprocessor of the SUD is
required to identify itself by name, abbreviation, or symbol, in a
prominent and conspicuous manner on the device or attachment to the
device. If the original SUD does not prominently and conspicuously bear
the name of the manufacturer, the manufacturer who reprocesses the SUD
for reuse, may identify itself using a detachable label that is
intended to be affixed to the patient record.
    The requirements of section 502(u) of the act impose a minimal
burden on industry. This section of the act only requires the
manufacturer, packer, or distributor of a device to include their name
and address on the labeling of a device. This information is readily
available to the establishment and easily supplied. From its
registration and premarket submission database, FDA estimates that
there are 10 establishments that distribute approximately 1,000
reprocessed SUDs. Each response is anticipated to take 0.1 hours
resulting in a total burden to industry of 100 hours.
    In the Federal Register of November 17, 2008 (73 FR 67873), FDA
published a 60-day notice requesting public comment on the information
collection provisions. The agency received one comment in support of
the collection of information stating that it is necessary to help
reprocessors of SUDs comply with section 502(u) of the act. The comment
further stated that the estimated reporting burden did not appear
excessive.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as
follows:

                                  Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden\1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section of the        No. of         Annual Frequency       Total Annual        Hours per
      Act          Respondents         per Response          Responses           Response         Total Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
502(u)                         10                   100              1,000                 .1                100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.

    Dated: January 26, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-2902 Filed 2-10-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S


[Federal Register: June 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 119)]
[Notices]
[Page 34926]
[DOCID:fr19jn08-56]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP08-405-000]

Questar Pipeline Company; Notice of Request Under Blanket
Authorization

June 12, 2008.
    Take notice that on May 22, 2008, Questar Pipeline Company
(Questar), 180 East 100 South, P.O. Box 45360, Salt Lake City, Utah
84145-0360, filed in Docket No. CP08-405-000 a prior notice request
pursuant to sections 157.205, 157.208 and 157.213 of the Commission's
regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Questar's blanket
certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-491-000 for authorization to
construct, own and operate two new reciprocating natural-gas-fired
compressors, two parallel suction and discharge pipielines,
interconnect piping, metering, and ancillary facilities located at
Greasewood Compressor Station, adjacent to Questar's existing Maine
Line (ML) 68 in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, as more fully set forth in
the application, which is on file with the Commission and open to
public inspection. Questar states that the estimated cost to construct
the facilities is approximately $20,500,000. The filing may also be
viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link.
Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket
number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call toll-free,<PHONE_NUMBER> or TYY,
(202) 502-8659.
    Any questions concerning this application may be directed to L.
Bradley Burton, Manager, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Questar Pipeline
Company, P.O. Box 45360, Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0360, or telephone
(801) 324-2459 (e-mail brad.burton@questar.com).
    Any person may, within 60 days after the issuance of the instant
notice by the Commission, file pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's
Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion to intervene or notice of
intervention. Any person filing to intervene or the Commission's staff
may, pursuant to section 157.205 of the Commission's Regulations under
the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (18 CFR 157.205) a protest to the request. If
no protest is filed within the time allowed therefore, the proposed
activity shall be deemed to be authorized effective the day after the
time allowed for protest. If a protest is filed and not withdrawn
within 30 days after the time allowed for filing a protest, the instant
request shall be treated as an application for authorization pursuant
to section 7 of the NGA.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments,
protests, and interventions via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web
site (http://www.ferc.gov) under the ``e-Filing'' link.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-13812 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register: January 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 19)]
[Notices]
[Page 4904-4909]
[DOCID:fr29ja10-133]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Notice No. 59; Docket No. FRA-2000-7257]

Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC); Working Group Activity
Update

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Announcement of Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC)
Working Group Activities.

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SUMMARY: The FRA is updating its announcement of RSAC's Working Group
activities to reflect its current status.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Woolverton, RSAC Designated
Federal Officer/Administrative Officer, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Mailstop 25, Washington, DC 20590,<PHONE_NUMBER>; or Grady
Cothen, Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Mailstop 25, Washington, DC 20590,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice serves to update FRA's last
announcement of working group activities and status reports of August
14, 2009 (74 FR 41181). The 40th full RSAC Committee meeting was held
September 10, 2009, and the 41st meeting is scheduled for February 11,
2010, at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park Hotel located at 2660
Woodley Road, NW., Washington, DC.
    Since its first meeting in April of 1996, the RSAC has accepted 32
tasks. The status for each of the open tasks (neither completed nor
terminated) is provided below:

Open Tasks

    Task 96-4--Tourist and Historic Railroads. Reviewing the
appropriateness of the agency's current policy regarding the
applicability of existing and proposed regulations to tourist,
excursion, scenic, and historic railroads. This task was accepted on
April 2, 1996, and a Working Group was established. The Working Group
monitored the steam locomotive regulation task. Planned future
activities involve the review of other regulations for possible
adaptation to the safety needs of tourist and historic railroads.
Contact: Grady Cothen,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 03-01--Passenger Safety. This task includes updating and
enhancing the regulations pertaining to passenger safety, based on
research and experience. This task was accepted on May 20, 2003, and a
Working Group was established. Prior to embarking on substantive
discussions of a specific task, the Working Group set forth, in
writing, a specific description of the task. The Working Group reports
planned activity to the full Committee at each scheduled full RSAC
meeting, including milestones for completion of projects and progress
toward completion. At the first meeting held September 9-10, 2003, a
consolidated list of issues was completed. At the second meeting held
November 6-7, 2003, four task groups were established: Emergency
Preparedness; Mechanical; Crashworthiness; and Track/Vehicle
Interaction. The task forces met and reported on activities for Working
Group consideration at the third meeting held May 11-12, 2004, and a
fourth meeting was held October 26-27, 2004. The Working Group met on
March 21-22, 2006, and again on September 12-13, 2006, at which time
the group agreed to establish a task force on General Passenger Safety.
The full Passenger Safety Working Group met on April 17-18, 2007;
December 11-12, 2007; November 13, 2008; and June 8, 2009. On August 5,
2009, the Working Group was requested to establish an Engineering Task
Force to consider technical criteria and procedures for qualifying
alternative passenger equipment designs as equivalent in safety to
equipment meeting the design standards in the Passenger Equipment
Safety Standards. The next meeting of the Working Group is scheduled
for the February-March 2010 timeframe. Contact: Charles Bielitz, (202)
493-6314.
    (Engineering Task Force) The Passenger Safety Working Group
approved a request from the FRA to establish an Engineering Task Force
under the Passenger Safety Working Group in August 2009. The mission of
the Task Force is to produce a set of technical evaluation criteria and
procedures for passenger rail equipment built to alternative designs.
The technical evaluation criteria and procedures would provide a means
of establishing whether an alternative design would result in
performance at least equal to the structural design standards set forth
in the Passenger Equipment Safety Standards (Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 238). The initial focus of this effort will be
on Tier I standards. When completed, the criteria and procedures would
form a technical basis for making determinations concerning equivalent
safety pursuant to 49 CFR Section 238.201 and provide a technical
framework for presenting evidence to FRA in support of any request for
waiver of the compressive (buff) strength requirement set forth in 49
CFR Section 238.203. See, generally, 49 CFR Part 211 (Rules of
Practice). The criteria and procedures could be incorporated into Part
238 at a later date after notice and opportunity for public comment.
The Engineering Task Force was formed and a kickoff meeting was held on
September 23-24, 2009. The group met again on November 3-4, 2009, and
January 7-8, 2010. A follow-on meeting is scheduled for March 9-10,
2010.
    (Emergency Preparedness Task Force) At the Working Group meeting of
March 9-10, 2005, the Working Group received and approved the consensus
report of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force related to emergency
communication, emergency egress, and rescue access. These
recommendations were presented to and approved by the full RSAC
Committee on May 18, 2005. The Working Group met on September 7-8,
2005, and additional, supplementary recommendations were presented to
and accepted by the full RSAC on October 11, 2005. The Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published on August 24, 2006 (71 FR
50275) and was open for comment until October 23, 2006. The Working
Group agreed upon recommendations for the final rule, including
resolution of final comments received, during the April 17-18, 2007,
meeting. The recommendations were presented to and approved by the full
RSAC on June 26, 2007. The Passenger

Train Emergency Systems final rule, focusing on emergency
communication, emergency egress, and rescue access, was published on
February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6370). The Task Force met on October 17-18,
2007, and reached consensus on draft rule text for a followup NPRM on
passenger train emergency systems, focusing on low location emergency
exit path marking, emergency lighting, and emergence signage. The Task
Force presented the draft rule text to the Passenger Safety Working
Group on December 11-12, 2007, and the consensus draft rule text was
presented to and approved by full RSAC vote during the February 20,
2008, meeting. During the May 13-14, 2008 meeting, the Task Force
recommended clarifying the applicability of backup emergency
communication system requirements in the February 1, 2008, final rule,
and FRA announced its intention to exercise limited enforcement
discretion for a new provision amending instruction requirements for
emergency window exit removal. The Working Group ratified these
recommendations on June 19, 2008. The Task Force met again on March 31,
2009, to clarify issues, raised by members, related to the followup
NPRM. The modified rule text was presented to and approved by the
Passenger Safety Working Group on June 8, 2009. The Working Group
requested that FRA draft the rule text requiring daily inspection of
removable panels or windows in vestibule doors, and entrust the
Emergency Preparedness Task Force with reviewing the text. FRA sent the
draft text to the Task Force for review and comment on August 4, 2009.
The draft rule text was approved by the Passenger Safety Working Group
by mail ballot on December 23, 2009. No additional Task Force meetings
are currently scheduled. Contact: Brenda Moscoso,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (Mechanical Task Force) (Completed) Initial recommendations on
mechanical issues (revisions to 49 CFR Part 238) were approved by the
full Committee on January 26, 2005. At the Working Group meeting of
September 7-8, 2005, the Task Force presented additional perfecting
amendments and the full RSAC approved them on October 11, 2005. An NPRM
was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2005 (70 FR
73070). Public comments were due by February 17, 2006. The final rule
was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2006 (71 FR
61835), effective December 18, 2006.
    (Crashworthiness Task Force) (Completed) Among its efforts, the
Crashworthiness Task Force provided consensus recommendations on static
end strength, which were adopted by the Working Group on September 7-8,
2005. The full Committee accepted the recommendations on October 11,
2005. The Front-End Strength of Cab Cars and Multiple-Unit Locomotives
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2007 (72 FR
42016), with comments due by October 1, 2007. A number of comments were
entered into the docket, and a Crashworthiness Task Force meeting was
held September 9, 2008, to resolve comments on the NPRM. Based on the
consensus language agreed to at the meeting, FRA has prepared the text
of the final rule incorporating the resolutions made at the Task Force
meeting, and the final rule language was adopted at the Passenger
Safety Working Group meeting held on November 13, 2008. The language
was presented and approved at the December 10, 2008, full RSAC meeting.
The final rule was issued on December 31, 2009, and published on
January 8, 2010 (75 FR 1180). Contact: Gary Fairbanks,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (Vehicle/Track Interaction Task Force) The Task Force is developing
proposed revisions to 49 CFR Parts 213 and 238, principally regarding
high-speed passenger service. The Task Force met on October 9-11 and
again on November 19-20, 2007, in Washington, DC, and presented the
final Task Force Report and final recommendations and proposed rule
text for approval by the Passenger Safety Working Group at the December
11-12, 2007, meeting. The final report and the proposed rule text were
approved by the Working Group and was presented to and approved by full
RSAC vote during the February 20, 2008, meeting. The group last met on
February 27-28, 2008, and FRA is currently crafting an NPRM with a
target publication date of March 2010. No additional Task Force
meetings are currently scheduled, but the Task Force may be called back
to review NPRM comments. Contact: John Mardente,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (General Passenger Safety Task Force) At the Working Group meeting
on April 17-18, 2007, the Task Force presented a progress report to the
Working Group. The Task Force met on July 18-19, 2007, and afterwards
it reported proposed reporting cause codes for injuries involving the
platform gap, which were approved by the Working Group by mail ballot
in September 2007. The full RSAC approved the recommendations for
changes to 49 CFR Section 225 accident/incident cause codes on October
25, 2007. The General Passenger Safety Task Force presented draft
guidance material for management of the gap that was considered and
approved by the Working Group during the December 11-12, 2007, meeting
and was presented to and approved by full RSAC vote during the February
20, 2008, meeting. The group met April 23-24, 2008; December 3-4, 2008;
and April 21-23 and October 7-8, 2009. The Task Force continues work on
passenger train door securement, ``second train in station'',
trespasser incidents, and System Safety-based solutions by developing a
regulatory approach to System Safety. The Task Force has created two
Task Groups to focus on these issues. The Door Safety Task Group has
reached consensus on 47 out of 48 safety issues addressed in the area
of passenger train door mechanical and operational requirements and
will present draft regulatory language to the General Passenger Safety
Task Force at the next meeting. The System Safety Task Group has
produced draft regulatory language for a System Safety Rule and will
present its recommendation to the General Passenger Safety Task Force
at the next meeting. No additional General Passenger Safety Task Force
meetings are currently scheduled. Contact: Dan Knote,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 05-01--Review of Roadway Worker Protection Issues. This task
was accepted on January 26, 2005, to review 49 CFR Part 214, Subpart C,
Roadway Worker Protection (RWP), and related sections of Subpart A;
recommend consideration of specific actions to advance the on-track
safety of railroad employees and contractors engaged in maintenance-of-
way activities throughout the general system of railroad
transportation, including clarification of existing requirements. A
Working Group was established, and reported to the RSAC any specific
actions identified as appropriate. The first meeting of the Working
Group was held on April 12-14, 2005. The group drafted and accepted
regulatory language for various revisions, clarifications, and
additions to 32 separate items in 19 sections of the rule. However, two
parties raised technical concerns regarding the draft language
concerning electronic display of track authorities. The Working Group
reported recommendations to the full Committee at the June 26, 2007,
meeting. Through the NPRM process, FRA will address this issue, along
with eight additional items on which the Working Group was unable to
reach a consensus. Comments were received and were considered during
the drafting of the NPRM. In early 2008, the external working group
members were solicited

to review the consensus text for errata review.
    In order to address the heightened concerns raised with the current
regulations for adjacent-track on-track safety, an NPRM was published
on July 17, 2008, that focused on this element of the RWP rule alone.
As this was an NPRM, FRA sought comment on the entire proposal,
including those portions that FRA sought to clarify. However, on August
13, 2008, the NPRM was withdrawn to permit further consideration of the
RSAC-reported consensus language.
    FRA has decided to separately issue a second proposed rule on
adjacent track protection, which will be handled on an accelerated
basis. The second NPRM concerning adjacent-controlled track was
published on November 25, 2009, and comments are due to the docket by
January 25, 2010. The remaining larger NPRM for the for various
revisions, clarifications, and additions to 31 separate items in 19
sections of the rule and FRA's recommendations for the eight
nonconsensus items is planned for early 2010. Contact: Christopher
Schulte,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 05-02--Reduce Human Factor-Caused Train Accident/Incidents.
This task was accepted on May 18, 2005, to reduce the number of human
factor-caused train accidents/incidents and related employee injuries.
The Railroad Operating Rules Working Group was formed, and the Group
extensively reviewed the issues presented. The final Working Group
meeting devoted to developing a proposed rule was held February 8-9,
2006. The Working Group was not able to deliver a consensus regulatory
proposal but did recommend that it be used to review comments on FRA's
NPRM, which was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2006
(FR 71 60372), with public comments due by December 11, 2006. Two
reviews were held, one on February 8-9, 2007, the other on April 4-5,
2007. Consensus was reached on four items and those items were
presented and accepted by the full RSAC Committee at the June 26, 2007,
meeting. A final rule was published in the Federal Register on February
13, 2008 (73 FR 8442), with an effective date of April 14, 2008. FRA
received four petitions for reconsideration of that final rule. The
final rule that responded to the petitions for consideration was
published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2008, and concluded the
rulemaking. Working group meetings were held September 27-28, 2007;
January 17-18, 2008; May 21-22, 2008; and September 25-26, 2008. The
Working Group has considered issues related to issuance of Emergency
Order No. 26 (prohibition on use of certain electronic devices while on
duty) and ``after arrival mandatory directives,'' among other issues.
The Working Group continues to work on after arrival orders; and, at
the September 25, 2008, meeting, voted to create a Highway-Rail Grade
Crossing Task Force to review highway-rail grade crossing accident
reports regarding incidents of crossing warning systems providing
``short or no warning'' resulting from or contributed to ``by train
operational issues'' with the intent to recommend new accident/incident
reporting codes that would better explain such events, and which may
provide information for remedial action going forward. A follow-on task
is to review and provide recommendations regarding supplementary
reporting of train operations-related no-warning or short-warning
incidents that are not technically warning system activation failures
but which result in an accident/incident or a near miss. The Task Force
has been formed and will meet in 2010 after other Rail Safety
Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA) priorities are met. Contact: Douglas
Taylor,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 06-01--Locomotive Safety Standards. This task was accepted on
February 22, 2006, to review 49 CFR Part 229, Railroad Locomotive
Safety Standards, and revise as appropriate. A Working Group was
established with the mandate to report any planned activity to the full
Committee at each scheduled full RSAC meeting, to include milestones
for completion of projects, and to progress toward completion. The
first Working Group meeting was held May 8-10, 2006. Working Group
meetings were held on August 8-9, 2006; September 25-26, 2006; and
October 30-31, 2006; and the Working Group presented recommendations
regarding revisions to requirements for locomotive sanders to the full
RSAC on September 21, 2006. The NPRM regarding sanders was published in
the Federal Register on March 6, 2007 (72 FR 9904). Comments received
were discussed by the Working Group for clarification, and FRA
published a final rule on October 19, 2007 (72 FR 59216). The Working
Group met on January 9-10, 2007; November 27-28, 2007; February 5-6,
2008; May 20-21, 2008; August 5-6, 2008; October 22-23, 2008; January
6-7, 2009; and April 15-16, 2009. The group has now completed the
review of 49 CFR Part 229 and was unable to reach consensus regarding
locomotive cab temperatures standards, locomotive alerters, and remote
control locomotives. The group reached consensus regarding critical
locomotive electronic standard, updated annual/biennial air brake
standards, clarification of the ``air brakes operate as intended''
requirement, locomotive pilot clearance within hump classification
yards, clarification of the ``high voltage'' warning requirement, an
update of ``headlight lamp'' requirements, and language to allow
locomotive records to be stored electronically. The Working Group
presented a draft Part 229 rule text revision covering these items to
the Committee for consideration at the September 10, 2009, meeting and
received approval. FRA has proceeded with drafting an NPRM, with a
target publication date of March 2010. The Working Group may be called
back to address comments received on the NPRM after publication.
Contact: George Scerbo,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 06-02--Track Safety Standards and Continuous Welded Rail
(CWR). (Completed) Section 9005 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109-
59), the 2005 Surface Transportation Authorization Act, requires FRA to
issue requirements for inspection of joint bars in continuous welded
rail (CWR) to detect cracks that could affect the integrity of the
track structure (49 U.S.C. 20142(e)). FRA published an interim final
rule (IFR) establishing new requirements for inspections on November 2,
2005 (70 FR 66288). On October 11, 2005, FRA offered the RSAC a task to
review comments on this IFR, but conditions could not be established
under which the Committee could have undertaken this with a view toward
consensus. Comments on the IFR were received through December 19, 2005.
FRA reviewed the comments. On February 22, 2006, the RSAC accepted this
task to review and revise the CWR related to provisions of the Track
Safety Standards, with particular emphasis on reduction of derailments
and consequent injuries and damage caused by defective conditions,
including joint failures, in track using CWR. A Working Group was
established. The first Working Group meeting was held April 3-4, 2006,
at which time the Working Group reviewed comments on the IFR. The
second Working Group meeting was held April 26-28, 2006. The Working
Group also met May 24-25, 2006, and July 19-20, 2006. The Working Group
reported consensus recommendations for the final rule that were
accepted by the full RSAC Committee by mail ballot on August 11, 2006.
The final rule was published in the Federal Register on

October 11, 2006 (71 FR 59677). The Working Group continued review of
49 CFR Section 213.119, with a view to proposing further revisions to
update the standards. The Working Group met January 30-31, 2007; April
10-11, 2007; June 27-28, 2007; August 15-16, 2007; October 23-24, 2007;
and January, 8-9, 2008. The Working Group reported consensus
recommendations for revisions to 49 CFR Section 213.119 regulations to
the full RSAC Committee on February 20, 2008, and the recommendations
were accepted. FRA published an NPRM on December 1, 2008, and published
a final rule on August 25, 2009. A correcting amendment was published
in the Federal Register on October 21, 2009, that addresses compliance
dates for commuter railroads, intercity passenger railroads, and other
additional railroads with CWR. The amendment establishes compliance
dates of November 23, 2009, for commuter railroads and intercity
passenger railroads; and February 22, 2010, for Class III railroads and
any other additional railroads with CWR. See Tasks 07-01 and 08-03,
below. Contact: Ken Rusk,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 06-03--Medical Standards for Safety-Critical Personnel. This
task was accepted on September 21, 2006, to enhance the safety of
persons in the railroad operating environment and the public by
establishing standards and procedures for determining the medical
fitness for duty of personnel engaged in safety-critical functions. A
Working Group has been established and will report any planned activity
to the full Committee at each scheduled full RSAC meeting, including
milestones for completion of projects and progress toward completion.
The first Working Group meeting was held December 12-13, 2006. The
Working Group has held follow-on meetings on the following dates;
February 20-21, 2007; July 24-25, 2007; August 29-30, 2007; October 31-
November 1, 2007; December 4-5, 2007; February 13-14, 2008; March 26-27
and April 22-23, 2008, and December 8-9, 2009. At the April 2008
meeting, FRA announced that the agency would prepare an NPRM draft
based on the discussions to date and schedule a further meeting for
review of the document. At the December 2009 meeting, the draft NPRM
was presented to the Group. The draft NPRM is currently in FRA
coordination and the language is being revised based on comments. At
the December 2009 meeting, the Group was also presented RSAC Task 2009-
02, Critical Incident Response. The task is to provide advice regarding
development of implementing regulations for Critical Incident Stress
Plans as required by the RSIA. When the draft NPRM is accepted by the
Medical Standards Working Group, the two parts of the rulemaking will
be presented to the full RSAC for approval. The Medical Standards
Working Group is scheduled to meet next on February 16-17, 2010, with a
follow-on meeting scheduled for March 11-12, 2010.
    (Physicians Task Force) A Physicians Task Force, established by the
Working Group in May 2007, is proceeding to develop accompanying
medical guidelines that will be used to provide consistent criteria for
determining the medical fitness for duty of the safety critical
positions. These guidelines will be presented for the Medical Standards
Working Group consideration when complete. The Physicians Task Force
has had meetings or conference calls on July 24, 2007; August 20, 2007;
October 15, 2007; October 31, 2007; June 23-24, 2008; September 8-10,
2008; October 8, 2008; November 12-13, 2008; December 8-10, 2008;
January 27-28, 2009; February 24-25, 2009; March 11-12, 2009; March 31-
April 1, 2009; April 15, 2009; April 22, 2009; May 13, 2009; May 20,
2009; June 17, 2009. The Task Force is currently scheduled to meet next
on January 21-22, 2010. Contact: Dr. Bernard Arseneau,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 07-01--Track Safety Standards. This task was accepted on
February 22, 2007, to consider specific improvements to the Track
Safety Standards or other responsive actions, supplementing work
already underway on CWR, specifically to: (1) Review controls applied
to reuse of rail in CWR ``plug rail''; (2) review the issue of cracks
emanating from bond wire attachments; (3) consider improvements in the
Track Safety Standards related to fastening of rail to concrete ties;
and (4) ensure a common understanding within the regulated community
concerning requirements for internal rail flaw inspections. The tasks
were assigned to the Track Safety Standards Working Group. The Working
Group will report any planned activity to the full Committee at each
scheduled full RSAC meeting, including milestones for completion of
projects and progress toward completion. The first Working Group
meeting was held on June 27-28, 2007, and the group met again on August
15-16 and October 23-24, 2007. Two Task Forces were created under the
Working Group: Concrete Ties and Rail Integrity. The Concrete Ties Task
Force met on November 26-27, 2007; February 13-14, 2008; April 16-17,
2008; July 9-10, 2008; and September 17-18, 2008. The Concrete Ties
Task Force finalized consensus language regarding concrete crossties
(49 CFR Part 213) and presented a recommendation to the Track Standards
Working Group at the November 20, 2008, Working Group meeting. The
language was approved by both the Working Group and the December 10,
2008, RSAC meeting and the Task Force was dissolved. FRA is preparing
an NPRM with a target publication date of March 2010. Contact: Ken
Rusk,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task 08-03--Track Safety Standards Rail Integrity. This task was
accepted on September 10, 2008 to consider specific improvements to the
Track Safety Standards or other responsive actions designed to enhance
rail integrity. The Rail Integrity Task Force was created in October
2007 under Task 07-01 and first met on November 28-29, 2007. The Task
Force met on February 12-13, 2008; April 15-16, 2008; July 8-9, 2008;
September 16-17, 2008; February 3-4, 2009; June 16-17, 2009; October
29-30, 2009; and January 20-21, 2010. Consensus has been achieved on
bond wires, and a common understanding on internal rail flaw
inspections has been reached. ``Valid test'' and ``qualified operator''
have been defined and will be issued as a technical bulletin. The Task
Force has reached consensus to recommend to the Working Group that the
item regarding ``the effect of rail head wear, surface conditions and
other relevant factors on the acquisition and interpretation of
internal rail flaw test results'' be closed. The Task Force does not
recommend regulatory action concerning head wear. Surface conditions
and their affect on test integrity has been discussed and understood
during dialogue concerning common understanding on internal rail flaw
inspections. The Task Force believes that new technology has been
developed that improves test performance and will impact the affect of
head wear and surface conditions on interpretation of internal rail
flaw test results. No additional Rail Integrity Task Force meetings are
scheduled at this time. Contact: Carlo Patrick,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task No. 08-04--Positive Train Control (PTC). (Completed) This task
was accepted on December 10, 2008, to provide advice regarding
development of implementing regulations for PTC systems and their
deployment under the RSIA. The task included a requirement to convene
an initial meeting not later than January 2009 and to report
recommendations back to the RSAC no later than April 24, 2009. The PTC
Working Group was created in December 2008 by Working Group member
nominations from committee member organizations under Task 08-

04, and the kickoff meeting was held on January 26-27, 2009. The group
met again on February 11-13 and 25-27, March 17-18, and March 31-April
1, 2009. On April 2, 2009, the RSAC approved the request by the working
group for agreement to vote on the draft rule text recommendations from
the Working Group by mail ballot. On May 11, 2009, by majority vote via
mail ballot, the RSAC Committee accepted the recommendations of the PTC
Working Group and forwarded those recommendations to the FRA
Administrator, with the understanding that there are other issues for
which FRA would be making proposals with respect to their resolution.
The NPRM was published on July 21, 2009 (74 FR 36152), with comments
due by August 20, 2009. In addition, a public hearing was held on
August 13, 2009 (74 FR 36152). The PTC TC was reconvened on August 31-
September 2, 2009, to discuss comments received on the NPRM, and the
PTC Working Group presented consensus rule text items to the RSAC for
approval at the September 10, 2009, meeting. The PTC consensus rule
text was approved by majority RSAC vote by electronic ballot on
September 24, 2009, and the final rule was published on January 15,
2010.
    (PTC Implementation Plan Task Force) A Task Force was formed to
assist FRA in developing a model template for a successful PTC
Implementation Plan (PTCIP) and in development of an example risk
prioritization methodology. PTCIPs are required to be submitted by
April 16, 2010, under the mandate of the RSIA. FRA posted a final
version of a PTCIP template and an example risk prioritization
methodology model for prioritization of line segment implementation to
the public FRA Web site on January 12, 2010, the same day as the final
rule was made available for public review. Contact: Tom McFarlin, (202)
493-6203.
    Task No. 08-05--Railroad Bridge Safety Assurance. This task was
accepted on December 10, 2008, to develop a draft rule encompassing the
requirements of Section 417 of RSIA, Railroad Bridge Safety Assurance.
This Section directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate
regulations, not later than 12 months after the October 16, 2008, date
of enactment, requiring owners of track carried on one or more railroad
bridges to adopt a bridge safety management program to reduce the risk
of human casualties, environmental damage, and disruption to the
Nation's railroad transportation system that would result from a
catastrophic bridge failure. The Railroad Bridge Working Group, created
under Task 08-01, was directed to reconvene, and the kickoff meeting
was held January 28-29, 2009. The Working Group also met on February
23-24, 2009, where they reached agreement on consensus language
covering all but two issues. The Working Group presented the draft
language to the full Committee at the April 2, 2009, meeting, and the
Committee approved the consensus recommendations by vote as the
recommendations of the Committee to the FRA Administrator. The NPRM was
published on August 17, 2009, with a comment period open until October
1, 2009. The Working Group was reconvened on December 15, 2009, to
address NPRM comments. The final rule is currently in coordination,
with a target publication date of March 2010. Contact: Gordon Davids,
(202) 493-6320.
    Task No. 08-0--Conductor Certification. This task was accepted on
December 10, 2008, to develop regulations for certification of railroad
conductors, as required by the RSIA, and to consider any appropriate
related amendments to existing regulations and report recommendations
for a proposed final rule or an IFR (as determined by FRA in
consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and the
Office of Management and Budget) by October 16, 2009. The Conductor
Certification Working Group was officially formed by nominations from
member organizations in April 2009 and the first meeting was held on
July 21-23, 2009. Additional meetings are scheduled for August 25-27,
2009; September 15-17, 2009; October 20-22, 2009; November 17-19, 2009;
and December 16-18, 2009. Tentative consensus was reached on the vast
majority of the regulatory text. An electronic ballot is being
circulated for formal Working Group consensus and a recommendation is
anticipated to the full RSAC at the February 11, 2010, meeting.
Contact: Mark McKeon,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Task No. 09-01--Passenger Hours of Service. This task was accepted
on April 2, 2009, to provide advice regarding development of
implementing regulations for the hours of service of operating
employees of commuter and intercity passenger railroads under the RSIA.
The Group has been tasked to review available data concerning the
effects of fatigue on the performance of subject employees, and
consider the role of fatigue prevention in determining maximum hours of
service. The Group has also been tasked to consider the potential for
alternative approaches to hour of service using available tools for
evaluating the impact of various crew schedules, and determine the
effect of alternative approaches on the availability of employees to
support passenger service. The Group is charged to report whether
existing hours of service restrictions are effective in preventing
fatigue among subject employees, whether an alternative approach to
hours of service for the subject employees would enhance safety, and
whether alternative restrictions on hours of service could be coupled
with other fatigue countermeasures to promote the fitness of employees
for safety-critical duties. The Passenger Hours of Service Working
Group was officially formed through the formal Committee member
nomination process in May 2009 and the first meeting was held on June
24, 2009. A Passenger Hours of Service Task Force was formed to review
collected data, and met on January 14-15, 2009. A follow-on Working
Group meeting is currently scheduled for February 2-3, 2009. Contact:
Grady Cothen,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

Completed Tasks

    Task 96-1--(Completed) Revising the Freight Power Brake
Regulations.
    Task 96-2--(Completed) Reviewing and recommending revisions to the
Track Safety Standards (49 CFR Part 213).
    Task 96-3--(Completed) Reviewing and recommending revisions to the
Radio Standards and Procedures (49 CFR Part 220).
    Task 96-5--(Completed) Reviewing and recommending revisions to
Steam Locomotive Inspection Standards (49 CFR Part 230).
    Task 96-6--(Completed) Reviewing and recommending revisions to
miscellaneous aspects of the regulations addressing Locomotive Engineer
Certification (49 CFR Part 240).
    Task 96-7--(Completed) Developing Roadway Maintenance Machines (On-
Track Equipment) Safety Standards.
    Task 96-8--(Completed) This planning task evaluated the need for
action responsive to recommendations contained in a report to Congress
titled, Locomotive Crashworthiness & Working Conditions.
    Task 97-1--(Completed) Developing crashworthiness specifications
(49 CFR Part 229) to promote the integrity of the locomotive cab in
accidents resulting from collisions.
    Task 97-2--(Completed) Evaluating the extent to which
environmental, sanitary, and other working conditions in locomotive
cabs affect the crew's health and the safe operation of

locomotives, proposing standards where appropriate.
    Task 97-3--(Completed) Developing event recorder data survivability
standards.
    Task 97-4 and Task 97-5--(Completed) Defining PTC functionalities,
describing available technologies, evaluating costs and benefits of
potential systems, and considering implementation opportunities and
challenges, including demonstration and deployment.
    Task 97-6--(Completed) Revising various regulations to address the
safety implications of processor-based signal and train control
technologies, including communications-based operating systems.
    Task 97-7--(Completed) Determining damages qualifying an event as a
reportable train accident.
    Task 00-1--(Completed-Task Withdrawn) Determining the need to amend
regulations protecting persons who work on, under, or between rolling
equipment; and persons applying, removing, or inspecting rear end
marking devices (Blue Signal Protection).
    Task 01-1--(Completed) Developing conformity of FRA's regulations
for accident/incident reporting (49 CFR Part 225) to revised
regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor, and to make appropriate revisions to the FRA Guide
for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports.
    Task 08-01--(Completed) Report on the Nation's Railroad Bridges.
Report to the Federal Railroad Administrator on the current state of
railroad bridge safety management; update the findings and conclusions
of the 1993 Summary Report of the FRA Railroad Bridge Safety Survey.
    Task No. 08-06--(Completed) Hours of Service Recordkeeping and
Reporting. Develop revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements for
hours of service of railroad employees. Final rule published May 27,
2009, with an effective date of July 16, 2009 (74 FR 25330).
    Please refer to the notice published in the Federal Register on
March 11, 1996, (61 FR 9740) for more information about the RSAC.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2010.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-1788 Filed 1-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 14, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20586-20589]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07746]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0760; Project Identifier 2019-NE-18-AD; Amendment
39-21108; AD 2020-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Thales AVS France SAS Global
Positioning System/Satellite Based Augmentation System Receivers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Thales AVS France SAS (Thales) Global Positioning System/
Satellite Based Augmentation System (GPS/SBAS) receivers installed on
airplanes and helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that Thales
GPS/SBAS receivers provided, under certain conditions, erroneous
outputs on aircraft positions. This AD requires the installation of a
software update to the aircraft navigation database and insertion of a
change to the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM). The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering,
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-
416-4299; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Thales AVS
France SAS, 75-77 Avenue Marcel Dassault, 33700 M[eacute]rignac--
France, Tel: +33 (0)5 24 44 77 40, www.thalesgroup.com; or ATR-GIE
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre Nadot,
31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33
(0) 5 62 21 67 18; email

exception occurred on : 2020-07746.htm
aircraft.com">[email protected]aircraft.com. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0760.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0760; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), 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: Kirk Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Thales GPS/SBAS
receivers installed on airplanes and helicopters. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on January 31, 2020 (85 FR 5584). The NPRM was
prompted by reports that Thales GPS/SBAS receivers provided, under
certain conditions, erroneous outputs on aircraft positions. The NPRM
proposed to require the installation of a software update to the
aircraft navigation database and insertion of a change to the
applicable AFM. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2019-0004, dated January 11, 2019, corrected on January
17, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address the
unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    It has been determined that, in SBAS areas, in specific
conditions of the GPS satellite constellation in line of sight to
the aircraft, the Thales Topstar 200 LPV GPS/SBAS receiver may
provide an erroneous position on its outputs, which may not be
detected by the integrity check. Depending on the aircraft
installation, this error may not be noticed by the flight crew.
    This condition, if not corrected, could possibly compromise the
safety margins when the receiver is used for Localizer Performance
with Vertical guidance (LPV) and/or RNP-AR (Required Navigation
Performance--Authorization Required) operations.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires removal
from the navigation database of LPV procedures and all RNP-AR
procedures in SBAS areas, listed in the SIL. To ensure a reset of
all the GPS computations which may contribute to the erroneous GPS
position output, this [EASA] AD also requires, for certain ATR
aeroplanes (see Note 1 of this [EASA] AD), amendment of the
applicable AFM.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0760.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Task 31-61-00-800-802, ``2. FMS Database Update
for Multifunction Display (MFD)'' of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation,
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) SA S76D-AMM-000, 31-61-00, dated
November 30, 2017. This Task provides instructions for updating the MFD
on affected Sikorsky aircraft.
    The FAA also reviewed ATR72 AMM Job Instruction Cards, Doc. No. 45-
11-00 LDG 10030-004, dated June 1, 2018, and ATR42-400/500 Series AMM
Job Instruction Cards, Doc. No. 45-11-00 LDG 10030-004, dated July 1,
2018. These service documents provide instructions on updating the
navigation databases installed on affected ATR airplanes.
    The FAA also reviewed Thales Service Information Letter (SIL) Doc.
No. THAV/SIL-1308, Issue 7, dated September 28, 2018. The SIL describes
procedures to upload navigational database using Thales PMAT software
on affected ATR airplanes.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 45 Thales GPS/SBAS receivers
installed on, but not limited to, GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional model ATR42 airplanes and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
model S-76D helicopters of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update navigation database for GPS/     1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $3,825
 SBAS receiver.                          hour = $85.
Update AFM............................  3 work-hours x $85 per                 0             255          11,475
                                         hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2020-08-02 Thales AVS France SAS: Amendment 39-21108; Docket No.
FAA-2019-0760; Project Identifier 2019-NE-18-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 19, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Thales AVS France SAS (Thales) Global
Positioning System/Satellite Based Augmentation System (GPS/SBAS)
receivers, Topstar 200 LPV, part numbers (P/Ns) C17149JA02 and
C17149HA01. These GPS/SBAS receivers are installed on, but not
limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional (ATR) model
ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation model S-
76D helicopters, respectively.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3457, Global
Positioning System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that Thales GPS/SBAS receivers
provided, under certain conditions, erroneous outputs on aircraft
positions. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent erroneous aircraft
position outputs from the Thales GPS/SBAS receivers. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in controlled flight into
terrain and loss of the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For operators of affected ATR model ATR42 and ATR72
airplanes:
    (i) Update the aircraft's navigation database within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD using the software upload
instructions, as applicable, in the following:
    (A) ATR72 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Job Instruction
Cards, Doc. No. 45-11-00 LDG 10030-004, dated June 1, 2018.
    (B) ATR42-400/500 Series AMM Job Instruction Cards, Doc. No. 45-
11-00 LDG 10030-004, dated July 1, 2018.
    (C) Thales Service Information Letter (SIL) Doc. No. THAV/SIL-
1308, Issue 7, dated September 28, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) For operators of affected ATR model ATR42 and ATR72
airplanes:
    (i) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, amend
Section 1.2 ``Each Flight Checks'' of the pre-flight section in the
applicable airplane flight manual by inserting the change shown in
Figure 1 and Figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14AP20.000

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14AP20.001

    (ii) Before each flight, power cycle the Thales GPS/SBAS
receiver unit.
    (3) For operators of Sikorsky S-76D helicopters, within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, update the aircraft's
navigation database using the instructions in TASK 31-61-00-800-802,
``2. FMS Database Update for Multifunction Display (MFD)'' of the
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, AMM SA S76D-AMM-000, 31-61-00, dated
November 30, 2017.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston 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 Boston ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (i)(1) 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kirk Gustafson,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2019-0004, dated January 11, 2019 (corrected on January 17, 2019),
for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0760.

(j) 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) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Aircraft Maintenance Manual
(AMM) SA S76D-AMM-000, 31-61-00, dated November 30, 2017.
    (ii) ATR72 AMM Job Instruction Cards, Doc. No. 45-11-00 LDG
10030-004, dated June 1, 2018.
    (iii) ATR42-400/500 Series AMM Job Instruction Cards, Doc. No.
45-11-00 LDG 10030-004, dated July 1, 2018.
    (iv) Thales Service Information Letter Doc. No. THAV/SIL-1308,
Issue 7, dated September 28, 2018.
    (3) For Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation service information
identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation,
Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611;
telephone 1-800-Winged-S or<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (4) For Thales service information identified in this AD,
contact Thales AVS France SAS, 75-77 Avenue Marcel Dassault, 33700
M[eacute]rignac--France, Tel: +33 (0)5 24 44 77 40,
www.thalesgroup.com.
    (5) For ATR service information identified in this AD, contact
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21;
exception occurred on : 2020-07746.htm
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email aircraft.com">[email protected]aircraft.com.
    (6) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine &
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (7) 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<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 8, 2020.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07746 Filed 4-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P