[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 116 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37500-37501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-300 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 328-300 
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the 
hydraulic line tube assemblies with improved tube assemblies and 
flexible hose assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent cracking 
of the hydraulic lines, which could result in loss of hydraulic 
pressure for certain braking systems on the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-07-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. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the 
following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via the 
Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-07-AD'' in the subject line 
and need not be submitted in triplicate.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from FAIRCHILD DORNIER, 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, FAA, 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
     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 2000-NM-07-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. 2000-NM-07-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 328-300 series airplanes. The LBA advises that 
pressure spikes and vibration during manual activation of the hydraulic 
changeover valve may cause cracking of the hydraulic lines that 
pressurize the braking systems of these airplanes. The pressure spikes 
create a high bending stress near the sleeve at the changeover valve. 
Such cracking of the hydraulic lines, if not corrected, could result in 
loss of hydraulic pressure for certain braking systems on the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328J-32-003 
(including Annex 1), dated December 17, 1999. The alert service 
bulletin describes procedures for replacement of the hydraulic line 
tube assemblies with improved tube assemblies and flexible hose 
assemblies. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued German airworthiness directive 2000-050, dated February 24, 
2000, 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

[[Page 37501]]

accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided free of charge by the manufacturer. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$2,700, or $300 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-07-AD.

    Applicability: Model 328-300 series airplanes, serial numbers 
3108 through 3144 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 (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 cracking of the hydraulic lines, which could result 
in loss of hydraulic pressure for certain braking systems on the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the hydraulic line tube assemblies with new, improved tube 
assemblies and flexible hose assemblies; in accordance with Dornier 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328J-32-003 (including Annex 1), dated 
December 17, 1999.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 
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

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 2000-050, dated February 24, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-15191 Filed 6-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U