[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 502-503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-143]



[[Page 502]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-187-AD; Amendment 39-12580; AD 2001-26-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With Honeywell GP-300 Guidance and Display Controller

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328 series airplanes, that 
currently requires modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance 
and display controllers. That AD was prompted by reports of smoke and 
fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display 
controller due to a defective light bulb; and a report of failure of 
the autopilot to disconnect manually. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short 
circuit that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit; or causing damage 
to the circuit cards and various components, which may lock the 
autopilot into the engaged mode. Locking of the autopilot into the 
engaged mode could lead to the inability of the pilot to disconnect the 
autopilot, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane. This amendment requires verification of proper installation 
of the modification, and repair, if necessary.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of Honeywell Service Bulletin 
7015327-22-4, dated March 31, 1997, as listed in the regulations, is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 8, 
2002.
    The incorporation by reference of Honeywell Service Bulletin 
7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996, as listed in the regulations, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 
26, 1996 (61 FR 29465, June 11, 1996).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Materiel, PO Box 
21111, Phoenix, Arizona 85036. 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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
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) by superseding AD 96-12-13, 
amendment 39-9656 (61 FR 29465, June 11, 1996), which is applicable to 
certain Dornier Model 328 series airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on May 28, 1998 (63 FR 29148). The action proposed to 
continue to require modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance 
and display controllers. The action also proposed to require 
verification of proper installation of the modification of Honeywell 
GP-300 guidance and display controller, and repair, if necessary.

Comment Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, claims that 100 percent 
of Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controllers for Dornier Model 
328 series airplanes have been modified per paragraph (a) of the 
proposed AD. The commenter also claims that 98 percent of those 
controllers have been modified per paragraph (b) of the proposed AD, 
and that the four remaining controllers should be modified by the time 
the proposed AD becomes effective. Therefore, the commenter concludes 
that the proposed AD would pose a negative economic impact by creating 
unnecessary paperwork and sign-off of the proposed AD.
    From this comment, the FAA infers that the commenter is requesting 
that the proposed AD be withdrawn. We do not agree. As stated by the 
airplane manufacturer, not all of the affected controllers, worldwide, 
have been modified; therefore, the possibility exists that an 
unmodified controller could be installed on a U.S. registered airplane 
at some future time. Issuance of this AD will ensure that only the 
modified controllers are installed on U.S. registered airplanes. 
Operators are given credit for work previously performed by means of 
the phrase in the ``Compliance'' section of the AD that states, 
``Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.'' Therefore, 
in the case of this AD, if the required modification and verification 
have been accomplished before the effective date of this AD, this AD 
does not require that those actions be repeated.

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

    There are approximately 50 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-12-13, and 
retained in this AD, take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $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 currently required 
actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,000, or $420 per 
airplane.
    The new actions that are required by this AD action will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $12,000, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a

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``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 removing amendment 39-9656 (61 FR 
29465, June 11, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12580, to read as follows:

2001-26-14  Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-12580. Docket 97-
NM-187-AD. Supersedes AD 96-12-13, Amendment 39-9656.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 airplanes, equipped with a 
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controller having part number 
(P/N) 7015327-901 or -902; 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 prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit 
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit, or causing damage to 
the circuit cards and various components, which may lock the 
autopilot into the engaged mode, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 96-12-13

    (a) Within 60 days after June 26, 1996 (the effective date of AD 
96-12-13, amendment 39-9656), modify the Honeywell GP-300 guidance 
and display controller, having P/N 7015327-901 or -902, in 
accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-22-2, dated March 
4, 1996.

New Requirements of This AD

    (b) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, verify 
that the wiring of the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display 
controller is correct by conducting a re-test of the circuit card 
assemblies, in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-
22-4, dated March 31, 1997. If any discrepancy is found, prior to 
further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Honeywell 
Service Bulletin 7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996; and Honeywell 
Service Bulletin 7015327-22-4, dated March 31, 1997.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Honeywell Service Bulletin 
7015327-22-4, dated March 31, 1997, is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Honeywell Service Bulletin 
7015327-22-2, dated March 4, 1996, was approved previously by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of June 26, 1996 (61 FR 29465, 
June 11, 1996).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer 
Support Materiel, PO Box 21111, Phoenix, Arizona 85036. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 96-239/2, dated June 19, 1997.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-143 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P