[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16100-16102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8348]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-62-AD; Amendment 39-10434; AD 98-07-14]
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 all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, that requires 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation that 
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop 
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of 
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight. 
This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving 
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller 
beta range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or 
engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the 
power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the 
airplane is in flight.

DATES: Effective May 7, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 7, 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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 16101]]

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2145; 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 all Dornier Model 328-100 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62 
FR 64784). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations 
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation 
that prohibits the positioning of the power levers below the flight 
idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to add a statement of 
the consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle 
stop while the airplane is in flight.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Conditional Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the intent of the proposed rule, but remarks 
that, if an inherent design problem exists on the affected airplanes to 
allow flightcrews to select the power levers below the flight idle stop 
while in flight, the FAA should consider the addition of a mechanical 
means to preclude such selection. The FAA acknowledges the commenter's 
concern, and may consider additional rulemaking to address that concern 
in the future for certain airplanes. However, until such final action 
is identified, the FAA considers it appropriate to proceed with 
issuance of this AD. No change to the AD is required.

Proposed Rule Unnecessary: AFM Already Revised

    One commenter, an operator, states that the proposal is an 
inappropriate method of addressing the perceived unsafe condition. The 
commenter points out that, because the manufacturer has issued a 
revision to the AFM that contains the exact wording as the proposed 
rule, the proposed rule is redundant and a waste of taxpayers' money.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's suggestion that the 
proposed rule is redundant. Since the issuance of the proposal, the 
manufacturer has issued Dornier 328-100 Airplane Flight Manual 
Temporary Revision (TR) 02-099, dated November 18, 1996. The Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, 
approved this TR. The FAA acknowledges that the TR contains the exact 
wording as that specified in paragraph (a) of this final rule. In light 
of this, the FAA has revised this final rule to include insertion of 
this TR as an additional method of compliance with the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD.
    As explained in the preamble of the proposed rule, the FAA has 
received reports of 14 incidents and/or accidents involving intentional 
or inadvertent operation of the propellers in the ground beta range 
during flight on airplanes equipped with turboprop engines. Such 
operation of the propellers in the beta range during flight, if not 
prevented, could result in an unsafe condition (loss of airplane 
controllability, or engine overspeed with consequent loss of engine 
power). The FAA has determined that this unsafe condition could exist 
or eventually develop on the affected airplanes, and that revising the 
Limitations Section of the AFM must be mandated to ensure that safety 
is not degraded. The appropriate vehicle for mandating such action to 
correct an unsafe condition is the airworthiness directive.

Withdraw Proposed Rule: Pilot Training Needed

    This same commenter states that the unsafe condition addressed by 
the proposal is not a problem with the airplane itself, but rather with 
lack of education for the pilots regarding the operation of turboprop 
engines. The FAA infers that the commenter requests that the FAA 
withdraw the proposed rule.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The 
requirements of this final rule will reinforce the education and 
training of pilots of turboprop airplanes by ensuring that the pilots 
are aware that the AFM prohibits operating the power levers below the 
flight idle gate in flight and advises of the consequence of such 
actions. The FAA finds that the actions required by this final rule 
will ensure that the pilots are aware of a potential in-flight unsafe 
condition.

Withdraw Proposed Rule: Issuance of AD May Adversely Affect 
Airplane Sales

    One commenter suggests that the issuance of the AD may create the 
illusion that a unique and dangerous unsafe condition exists on the 
airplane. The commenter further suggests that the issuance of the AD 
could cause an adverse effect on current or future lease and sales of 
the airplane. The FAA infers that the commenter requests that the 
proposed rule be withdrawn.
    The FAA does not concur. As stated in the preamble of the proposal, 
the identified unsafe condition has been found to exist on airplanes 
equipped with turboprop engines, not just the airplanes addressed in 
this particular AD. The FAA is currently in the process of addressing 
the identified unsafe condition on other airplanes equipped with 
turboprop engines. While it is understandable that a manufacturer would 
like to minimize any adverse implications regarding the safety of its 
products, the purpose of an AD is to correct an identified unsafe 
condition in aircraft, regardless of where it is or what it is caused 
by. The FAA has determined that, because of the identified unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD, the continued operational safety of the 
airplanes necessitates issuance of the final rule.

Revise the Cost Estimate

    One commenter asserts that the cost estimate provided in the 
proposal gives an erroneous figure because the cost of an AFM change is 
not a fixed cost. The commenter further states that, since there is no 
terminating action for the requirements of the proposed AD, a record 
must be made and continuously maintained. Further, the commenter notes 
that additional work and expenses are incurred if a request for an 
alternative method of compliance is submitted to the FAA.
    The FAA does not concur that the cost estimate should be revised. 
In this case, the FAA considers that once the AFM has been revised in 
accordance with the final rule, no further action is required. 
Furthermore, the FAA considers any ``additional expense'' incurred by 
an operator or the FAA (as a result of requests for approval of an 
alternative method of compliance) to be negligible when compared to the 
necessity to ensure the operational safety of the airplane.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

[[Page 16102]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 60 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplane 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. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $3,600, 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 
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:

98-07-14  Dornier: Amendment 39-10434. Docket 97-NM-62-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 328-100 series airplanes, 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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed 
and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Dornier Model 328-100 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. 
This action may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into 
the AFM, or by inserting Dornier 328-100 Airplane Flight Manual 
Temporary Revision (TR) 02-099, dated November 18, 1996, into the 
AFM.
    ``Power levers selection below Flight Idle (FI) gate is 
prohibited during flight.
    WARNING: Movement of any power lever behind the flight idle (FI) 
gate during flight could lead to loss of airplane control from which 
recovery may not be possible.''
    (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.
    (d) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the AFM 
revision shall be done in accordance with Dornier 328-100 Airplane 
Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 02-099, dated November 18, 
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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 7, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8348 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U