99-28245. Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 59117-59119]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-28245]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 99-NM-01-AD; Amendment 39-11393; AD 99-22-15]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, that requires 
    repetitive inspections of the left and right roll spoiler actuators to 
    check for signs of leakage and deformation of the housing, repetitive 
    inspections of the gap between the left roll spoiler actuator housing 
    cap and the actuator housing, repetitive torque checks of the left roll
    
    [[Page 59118]]
    
    spoiler actuator housing cap attachment screws, and corrective action, 
    if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
    continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
    authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent oil 
    leakage from the roll spoiler actuators, which could result in 
    incorrect roll spoiler operation and reduced controllability of the 
    airplane.
    
    DATES: Effective December 7, 1999.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of December 7, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from Fairchild Dornier, Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, 
    D-82230 Wessling, Germany. This information may be examined at the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
    Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
    700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
    International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
    227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to all Dornier Model 328-100 series 
    airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 1999 (64 
    FR 45468). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections of 
    the left and right roll spoiler actuators to check for signs of leakage 
    and deformation of the housing, repetitive inspections of the gap 
    between the left roll spoiler actuator housing cap and the actuator 
    housing, repetitive torque checks of the left roll spoiler actuator 
    housing cap attachment screws, and corrective action, if necessary.
    
    Comments
    
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the comment received.
    
    Request to Reference Service Bulletin Revision
    
        One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the proposed AD be 
    revised to reference Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-025, 
    Revision 1, dated September 22, 1999. The commenter states that 
    Revision 1 of the service bulletin escalates the inspection interval 
    from the current 330 flight hours to 400 flight hours. This escalation 
    brings the interval parallel to the recent ``A-Check'' escalation of 
    the Dornier Model 328-100 Maintenance Review Board (MRB) document. The 
    commenter notes that the escalation of the inspection intervals was 
    considered acceptable based on certain other inspections already in 
    place in the MRB document.
        The FAA concurs. The procedures contained in Revision 1 of the 
    service bulletin are identical to the original issue, dated October 16, 
    1998, which was cited in the proposed AD as the appropriate source of 
    service information. The FAA has determined that accomplishment of the 
    actions required by this AD in accordance with the procedures and at 
    the intervals specified in Revision 1 of the service bulletin will 
    adequately address the identified unsafe condition. Paragraphs (a) and 
    (b) of this AD have been revised to cite Revision 1 of the service 
    bulletin as the appropriate source of service information, and the 
    inspection intervals have been revised to 400 flight hours. For 
    operators that may have previously accomplished the initial inspections 
    in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin, ``NOTE 
    3'' of the final rule has been revised to give credit for those 
    actions.
    
    Conclusion
    
        After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
    noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
    interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
    previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
    increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
    the AD.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this proposed AD, that it will take approximately 3 work 
    hours per airplane to accomplish the actions, and that the average 
    labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
    impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,000, or $180 
    per airplane, per inspection cycle.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects 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. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
    not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
    (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
    Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
    ``ADDRESSES.''
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
    reference, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
    
    PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
    
        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]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    99-22-15  Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-11393. Docket 99-NM-
    01-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model 328-100 series airplanes, certificated 
    in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
    modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
    requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
    altered, or
    
    [[Page 59119]]
    
    repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is 
    affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
    alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
    this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
    the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
    addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
    eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
    address it.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent oil leakage from the roll spoiler actuators, which 
    could result in incorrect roll spoiler operation and reduced 
    controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, 
    accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
    AD on the left and right roll spoiler actuators, in accordance with 
    Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-025, Revision 1, dated 
    September 22, 1999. Thereafter, repeat the inspections required by 
    paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 
    400 flight hours.
        (1) Perform a detailed inspection to detect leakage of the area 
    around the actuator cap and housing of the roll spoiler actuators. 
    If leakage is found, prior to further flight, replace the actuator 
    and the double shuttle valve with new or serviceable parts.
        (2) Perform a detailed inspection to detect flatness of the 
    surface of the cap of the roll spoiler actuators. If the cap surface 
    is not flat, prior to further flight, replace the actuator and the 
    double shuttle valve with new or serviceable parts.
        Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
    defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
    structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
    failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
    supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
    deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
    magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
    access procedures may be required.''
    
        (b) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, 
    accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this 
    AD on the left roll spoiler actuator, in accordance with Dornier 
    Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-025, Revision 1, dated September 
    22, 1999. Thereafter, repeat the inspections required by paragraphs 
    (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 400 flight 
    hours.
        (1) Perform a detailed inspection to detect a gap between the 
    cap of the roll spoiler actuator and the actuator housing. If any 
    gap exists, prior to further flight, replace the actuator and the 
    double shuttle valve with new or serviceable parts.
        (2) Perform a torque check of the housing cap attachment screws. 
    If the torque is within the limits specified by the service 
    bulletin, prior to further flight, torque the screws to 17.7 lb-in, 
    in accordance with the alert service bulletin. If the torque is 
    outside the limits specified by the service bulletin, prior to 
    further flight, replace the left roll spoiler actuator and double 
    shuttle valve with new or serviceable parts, in accordance with the 
    alert service bulletin.
        (c) If any left roll spoiler actuator is replaced during any 
    inspection required by paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, prior 
    to further flight, accomplish the requirements of (b)(1) and (b)(2) 
    for the right roll spoiler actuator.
    
        Note 3: Accomplishment of the inspections required by paragraphs 
    (a) and (b) of this AD prior to the effective date of this AD in 
    accordance with Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-025, dated 
    October 16, 1998, is acceptable for compliance with the initial 
    inspections required by those paragraphs.
    
    Alternate Methods of Compliance
    
        (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
    Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
    requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
    who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
    Branch, ANM-116.
    
        Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
    
    Special Flight Permits
    
        (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
    21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
    requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    
    Incorporation by Reference
    
        (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dornier Alert 
    Service Bulletin ASB-328-27-025, Revision 1, dated September 22, 
    1999. 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 Fairchild Dornier, Dornier 
    Luftfahrt GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Germany. Copies may 
    be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
    Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
        Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
    airworthiness directive 1998-479, dated December 17, 1998.
    
        (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 7, 1999.
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 22, 1999.
    
    Vi L. Lipski,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 99-28245 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
12/7/1999
Published:
11/02/1999
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-28245
Dates:
Effective December 7, 1999.
Pages:
59117-59119 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 99-NM-01-AD, Amendment 39-11393, AD 99-22-15
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
99-28245.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13