[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29148-29150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14035]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-187-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328 Series Airplanes
Equipped with Honeywell GP-300 Guidance and Display Controller
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328
series airplanes, that currently requires modification of certain
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controllers. That AD was prompted
by reports of smoke and fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300
guidance and display controller due to a defective light bulb; and a
report of failure of the autopilot to disconnect manually. The actions
specified by that AD are intended to prevent a defective light bulb
from causing a short circuit that emits smoke and fumes into the
cockpit; or causing damage to the circuit cards and various components,
which may lock the autopilot into the engaged mode. Locking of the
autopilot into the engaged mode could lead to the inability of the
pilot to disconnect the autopilot, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane. This action would require verification
of proper installation of the modification, and repair, if necessary.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-187-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 Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Materiel, P.O.
Box 21111, Phoenix, Arizona 85036. This information may be examined at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone
(562) 627-5220; fax (562) 627-5210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (562) 627-5345; fax (562) 627-5210.
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 97-NM-187-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-187-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On May 31, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-12-13, amendment 39-9656 (61
FR 29465, June 11, 1996), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328
series airplanes, to require modification of certain Honeywell GP-300
guidance and display controller. That action was prompted by reports of
smoke and fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display
controller due to a defective light bulb; and a report of failure of
the autopilot to disconnect manually. The requirements of that AD are
intended to prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit; or causing damage to the
circuit cards and various components, which may lock the autopilot into
the engaged mode. Locking of the autopilot into the engaged mode could
lead to the inability of the pilot to disconnect the autopilot, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 96-12-13, the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA),
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, has advised the FAA
that the service bulletin issued by Honeywell and referenced in AD 96-
12-13 has been misinterpreted by personnel at Honeywell service
centers. The LBA advises that, on an in-service airplane, a miswired
unit of the GP-300 control panel was found, which caused the panel to
overheat and generate smoke. In addition, two miswired units were found
during the manufacturing process. Such miswired units would prevent the
overheat protection device from functioning and could lead to smoke and
fumes in the cockpit.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Honeywell Service Bulletin
7015327-22-4, dated March 31, 1997, which describes procedures for
verification of proper installation of the modification by re-testing
the circuit card assemblies, and repair, if necessary. The LBA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued German
airworthiness directive 96-239/2, dated June 19, 1997, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.
[[Page 29149]]
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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 registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 96-12-13 to
continue to require modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance
and display controllers. The proposed AD also would add a requirement
for verification of proper installation of the modification of
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controller, and repair, if
necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 50 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes
of U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 96-12-13, and
retained in this proposed AD, take approximately 7 work hours per
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently
required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,000, or $420
per airplane.
The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $12,000, or $240 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-9656 (61 FR
29465, June 11, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 97-NM-187-AD. Supersedes AD 96-12-13,
Amendment 39-9656.
Applicability: Model 328-100 airplanes, equipped with Honeywell
GP-300 guidance and display controller having part number (P/N)
7015327-901 or -902; 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 (c) 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 a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit, or causing damage to
the circuit cards and various components, which may lock the
autopilot into the engaged mode, accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 96-12-13, Amendment 39-9656
(a) Within 60 days after June 26, 1996 (the effective date of AD
96-12-13, amendment 39-9656), modify the Honeywell GP-300 guidance
and display controller, having P/N 7015327-901 or -902, in
accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-22-2, dated March
4, 1996.
New Requirements of this AD
(b) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, verify
that the wiring of the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display
controller is correct by conducting a re-test of the circuit card
assemblies, in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-
22-4, dated March 31, 1997. If any discrepancy is found, prior to
further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin.
(c) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 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, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(d) 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German
airworthiness directive 96-239/2, dated June 19, 1997.
[[Page 29150]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14035 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
