[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64492-64494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30967]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-114-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 modification of the
electrical circuits for certain avionics by rewiring and adding
electrical devices. This proposal is prompted by reports indicating
that failure of an engine or direct current (DC) generator during
takeoff and landing, coupled with an open DC tie, could cause the
avionics to fail. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended
to prevent the failure of those avionics during takeoff and landing,
which consequently could result in the inability of the flight crew to
respond to and control the associated systems during these critical
phases of flight.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 17, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-114-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
[[Page 64493]]
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-114-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-114-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 has received reports indicating that the failure of an
engine or direct current (DC) generator during takeoff and landing,
coupled with an open DC tie in the airplane's electrical system, could
cause failure of the No. 2 primary flight and multiple function
displays, or the autopilot/yaw damper servos. The failure of these
avionics during takeoff and landing, if not prevented, could result in
the inability of the flight crew to respond to and control the systems
associated with these avionics during these critical phases of flight.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-24-062, Revision 1,
dated June 27, 1995, which describes procedures for modification of the
wiring that supplies power from the non-essential bus 2 to the bus 2
avionics circuit, and from the non-essential bus 1 to the bus 1
avionics circuit. This modification entails the rewiring of these
circuits and the addition of certain electrical devices. This
modification is intended to correct circuit logic and wiring design
discrepancies that could cause these circuits to fail if the DC tie in
the electrical system remains open during takeoff and landing. The LBA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued German
airworthiness directive 95-284, dated August 4, 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 registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require modification of the
wiring that supplies power from the non-essential bus 2 to the bus 2
avionics circuit, and from the non-essential bus 1 to the bus 1
avionics circuit, by rewiring these circuits and adding electrical
devices. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance
with the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 220 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at
no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $118,800, or $13,200
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-114-AD.
Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes having 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 failure, during takeoff and landing, of the No. 2
primary flight and multiple function displays, or the autopilot/
[[Page 64494]]
yaw damper servos, which consequently could result in the inability
of the flight crew to respond to and control the systems associated
with these avionics during these critical phases of flight,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the wiring that supplies power from the non-essential bus 2 to the
bus 2 avionics circuit, and from the non-essential bus 1 to the bus
1 avionics circuit, in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-
328-24-062, Revision 1, dated June 27, 1995.
(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
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 29, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-30967 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U