[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 166 (Monday, August 26, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43691-43692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21595]
[[Page 43691]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-230-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 certain Dornier Model 328-100
series airplanes. This proposal would require removal of the acoustic
damping foils at the skin behind the overhead switch panel. This
proposal is prompted by a report of debonding of the edges of the
acoustic damping foils. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent such debonding, which could result in short
circuiting of parts of the overhead switch panel due to contact with
loose edges of the foils, and consequent smoke and/or fire in the
cockpit.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 4, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-230-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 95-NM-230-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. 95-NM-230-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 certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA
advises that it received a report indicating that debonding of the
edges of the acoustic damping foils at the skin behind the overhead
switch panel was found during production of these airplanes;
consequently, parts of the overhead switch panel could come in contact
with loose edges of the foils. Such debonding, if not corrected, could
result in short circuiting of parts of the overhead switch panel and
consequent smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-25-072, dated December
16, 1994, which describes procedures for removal of the acoustic
damping foils at the skin behind the overhead switch panel. The LBA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued German
airworthiness directive 95-049, dated February 2, 1995, 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 removal of the acoustic damping foils at the
skin behind the overhead switch panel. The actions would be required to
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Explanation of Proposed Compliance Time
Operators should note that, although the Dornier Service Bulletin
SB-328-25-072 recommends accomplishment of the described procedures
within 100 hours time-in-service, this AD requires accomplishment of
the actions within 90 days. Based upon an analysis of the unsafe
condition, the FAA finds that a compliance time of 90 days will address
the unsafe condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate
compliance time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the safety
implications and the degree of urgency associated with addressing the
subject unsafe condition, but the maximum interval of time allowable
for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising
safety. The FAA finds 90 days to be an appropriate compliance time for
accomplishing these actions.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour 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
$720, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of
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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 95-NM-230-AD.
-Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers
3005 through 3024 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 debonding of the edges of the acoustic damping foils,
which could result in short circuiting of parts of the overhead
switch panel due to contact with loose edges of the foils, and
consequent smoke and/or fire in the cockpit; accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, remove
the acoustic damping foils having part number 001A258A1101204 at the
skin behind the overhead switch panel in accordance with Dornier
Service Bulletin SB-328-25-072, dated December 16, 1994.
(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 August 19, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21595 Filed 8-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
