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 On May 16, 1989, the FAA stated that the March 1989 Volpe National Transportation System Center report, titled Investigation of Controlled Flight Into Terrain (DOT-TSC-FA994-89-10), presented an investigation of CFIT accidents involving multiengine, fixed-wing, turbine-powered aircraft operating in accordance with 14 CFR Part 135 at the time of the accident and the potential application for a GPWS. The FAA stated that, as a result of the Volpe report and the availability of a GPWS at a more reasonable cost to commuter aircraft, the FAA was considering the issuance of an NPRM to address the intent of Safety Recommendation A-86-109. On June 20, 1989, the Safety Board stated that it was pleased that the FAA was considering the issuance of an NPRM.

On April 24, 1992, the FAA stated that, on March 17, 1992, it issued a final rule (Docket No. 26202; Amendment No. 135-42) to require that all turbine-powered (rather than only turbojet) airplanes with 10 or more seats be equipped with an approved GPWS. On June 10, 1992, the Safety Board stated that it was pleased to note that the FAA had issued the final rule and that, as a result, Safety Recommendation A-86-109 was classified "Closed Acceptable Action."

GPWS Installation for 14 CFR Part 91 Operations (A-92-55 and A-95-35)

On December 11, 1991, a Bruno's, Inc., Beechjet 400, N25BR, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, impacted mountainous terrain approximately 3 minutes after takeoff from Richard B. Russell Airport near Rome, Georgia. The two flight crewmembers and all seven passengers were killed. The airplane was not equipped with a GPWS and was not required by the FARs to be so equipped. The Safety Board concluded that, if a GPWS had been installed on the airplane, a warning would have sounded about 12 seconds before impact and would have most likely provided sufficient time for the pilots to take action to avoid flying into terrain. As a result of the accident, the Board issued Safety Recommendation A-92-55, which asked the FAA to Require all turbojet-powered airplanes that have six or more passenger seats to be equipped with a ground proximity warning system.

The FAA, however, did not agree with this recommendation. In an October 13, 1992, letter to the Safety Board, the FAA stated that, in making the determination not to require a GPWS on all turbojet-powered airplanes with six or more passenger seats, it considered, "among other factors, the operating environment most prevalent for turbojetpowered airplanes, the extent of radar service in the air traffic control system, and the employment of the minimum safe altitude warning system." On January 6, 1993, the Board classified Safety Recommendation A-92-55 "Closed--Unacceptable Action." After the June 18, 1994, TAESA Learjet accident at Dulles International Airport, the Safety Board issued Safety Recommendation A-95-35, which asked the FAA to