[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5225-5226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-114-AD; Amendment 39-10299; AD 98-03-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, that 
requires removal and replacement of the center screw of the crew seat 
belt buckle. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle, which could 
result in injury to the flightcrew during an emergency landing.

DATES: Effective March 9, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fairchild Dornier, Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, 
D-82230 Wessling, Germany. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dornier Model 328-100 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 1, 
1997 (62 FR 63475). That action proposed to require removal and 
replacement of the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,000, or 
$60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory

[[Page 5226]]

Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-03-07  Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-10299. Docket 97-NM-
114-AD.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes equipped with 
Aerospace Restraint Company (ARC) restraints having part number (P/
N) 1180002-403-100, part serial number 0101 up to and including 0315 
inclusive, 0328, and 0329; 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 failure of the screw of the crew seat belt buckle, 
which could result in injury to the flightcrew during an emergency 
landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
and replace the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle in 
accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-25-196, dated 
November 12, 1996.

    Note 2: The Dornier service bulletin references Aerospace 
Restraint Company (ARC) Service Bulletin 1180002-25-01, dated 
October 11, 1996, as an additional source of service information for 
accomplishment of the removal and replacement.

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their request 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.
    (d) The removal and replacement shall be done in accordance with 
Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-25-196, dated November 12, 1996. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Fairchild Dornier, Dornier Luftfahrt 
GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Germany. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 97-001, dated January 16, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 9, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 1998.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2284 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U