[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14371-14373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7686]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-110-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Dornier Model 328-100 series
airplanes. This proposal would require inspections for chafing of
various control cables, and replacement of any chafed cable with a
serviceable cable. This proposal is prompted by chafing of various
control cables found during inspections conducted at the manufacturer's
facility and at overhaul facilities. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent such chafing, which could cause the
pilot's controls for the autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine to be
ineffective. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 5, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling,
Germany. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Beane, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2796; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-110-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA advises
that it received several reports indicating that chafing of
[[Page 14372]]
various control cables (i.e., the autopilot, elevator and rudder, and
engine control cables) was found during inspections conducted at the
manufacturer's facility and at overhaul facilities. Chafing of these
control cables can occur due to high cable tension through the
fairleads, misalignment, and/or sharp pulley groove designs. Such
chafing of the control cables could cause the pilot's controls for the
autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine to be ineffective. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dornier has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-00-011, dated
December 4, 1995, which describes procedures for the following:
Repetitive inspections for chafing of the autopilot
control cables (elevator, rudder, and aileron) in the area of the servo
drums, and adjustment of the tension of all autopilot control cables;
and replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable.
Repetitive inspections for chafing of the elevator and
rudder control cables and fairleads in the area of the rear pressure
bulkhead, and to determine correct installation of the bulkhead;
replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable; and
readjustment of any incorrect installation.
Repetitive inspections for chafing of the engine control
cables and fairleads in the area of the fuselage conduit seal housing
and the wing/nacelle fairleads; and replacement of any chafed cable
with a serviceable cable.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German airworthiness directive 96-001, dated January 3, 1996, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
LBA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, the
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for chafing of the
control cables (autopilot, elevator and rudder, and engine), and
replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert
service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 42 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $15,120, or $360 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Dornier: Docket 96-NM-110-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 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 (b) 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 chafing of various control cables, which could cause
the pilot's controls for the autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine
to be ineffective, and could result in consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total hours time-in-
service, or within 200 hours time-in-service after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Accomplish the requirements
of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance
with Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-00-011, dated December
4, 1995. Repeat those actions thereafter at intervals not to exceed
1,500 hours time-in-service.
(1) Perform an inspection for chafing of the autopilot control
cables (elevator, rudder, and aileron) in the area of the servo
drums, and adjust the tension of all autopilot control cables. If
any chafing is found, prior to further flight, replace the chafed
cable with a serviceable cable.
(2) Perform an inspection for chafing of the elevator and rudder
control cables and fairleads in the area of the rear pressure
bulkhead, and to determine correct installation of the bulkhead.
[[Page 14373]]
(i) If any chafing is found, prior to further flight, replace
the chafed cable with a serviceable cable.
(ii) If any incorrect installation is found, prior to further
flight, readjust the installation.
(3) Perform an inspection for chafing of the engine control
cables and fairleads in the area of the fuselage conduit seal
housing and the wing/nacelle fairleads. If any chafing is found,
prior to further flight, replace the chafed cable with a serviceable
cable.
(b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 20, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7686 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
