[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49752-49753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23744]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-207-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 replacement of a flight
attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. This
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the disabling of
the ``Fasten Seat Belt'' and ``No Smoking'' signs when they are
required to be illuminated. Such disabling could result in the
inability to instruct the passengers to extinguish their cigarettes and
fasten their seat belts when required, which may contribute to
passenger injury should a hard landing or in-flight turbulence be
experienced.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 14, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-207-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2110; fax (425) 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 99-NM-207-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. 99-NM-207-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA advises that,
when the reading light switches that are located on the flight
attendant panel are in the OFF position, the seat belt warning light
switch and the no smoking warning light switch that are located on the
flight deck overhead panel are inhibited from operating the passenger
cabin ``Fasten Seat Belt'' and ``No Smoking'' warning lights. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in the inability to instruct
the passengers to extinguish their cigarettes and fasten their seat
belts when required, which may contribute to passenger injury should a
hard landing or in-flight turbulence be experienced.
[[Page 49753]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-33-271, dated September
17, 1998, which describes procedures for replacement of a flight
attendant panel with a new or modified panel and modification of its
associated wiring. The LBA classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued German airworthiness directive 1999-053, dated
February 25, 1999, 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
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 require replacement of a
flight attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 51 Model 328-100 series 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. Required
parts would be supplied by the airplane manufacturer free of charge.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $3,060, or $60 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 Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 99-NM-207-AD.
Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers
3005 through 3093 inclusive and 3095 through 3111 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
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 ensure that passengers are properly instructed to extinguish
their cigarettes and fasten their seat belts when required, and to
prevent consequent passenger injury should a hard landing or in-
flight turbulence be experienced, accomplish the following:
Panel Replacement
(a) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, replace
the existing flight attendant panel 19VE with a new or modified
panel, part number 328-0100, Amendment D, and modify the wiring
associated with it; in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-
328-33-271, dated September 17, 1998.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a flight attendant panel 19VE, unless it has been
modified in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-33-271,
dated September 17, 1998.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, 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 2: 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
(d) 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on [date 35 days after date
of publication of final rule in the Federal Register].
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German
airworthiness directive 1999-053, dated February 25, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23744 Filed 9-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
