[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16331-16333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8285]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-313-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 and 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 328-100 and 
328-300 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of 
the bolts with new bolts with wirelocking on the Support One of the 
rudder spring tab. This action is necessary to ensure replacement of 
improper bolts installed on the rudder spring tab that could back out 
over time, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-313-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-313-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 16332]]

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1503; 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-313-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. 2001-NM-313-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 328-100 and 328-300 series airplanes. The LBA 
advises that incorrect bolt inserts were installed on the rudder spring 
tab during production. The self-locking inserts for the bracket 
attachment bolts on the rudder spring tab were too long, and 
consequently, did not fully engage the bolts. Over time, the incomplete 
engagement of the self-locking features of the bolt inserts could cause 
the spring tab attachment bolts to back out. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Service Bulletins SB-328-55-351 (for Model 328-
100 series airplanes); and SB-328J-55-058, Revision 1 (for Model 328-
300 series airplanes); both dated April 10, 2001. These service 
bulletins describe procedures for replacement of the bolts with new 
bolts with wirelocking on the Support One of the rudder spring tab 
(including torquing the bolts to the proper setting). Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins is intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The LBA classified 
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued German airworthiness 
directives 2001-260 and 2001-261, both dated September 6, 2001, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
Germany.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Germany and are 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 these type designs 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 designs registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 53 Model 328-100 series airplanes and 20 
Model 328-300 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,380, or $60 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. 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 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

[[Page 16333]]

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 2001-NM-313-AD.
    Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes having serial 
numbers 3005 through 3119 inclusive, and Model 328-300 series 
airplanes having serial numbers 3105 through 3167 inclusive, 
excluding serial number 3164; 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 ensure replacement of improper bolts installed on the rudder 
spring tab that could back out over time, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Bolt Replacement

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the bolts with new bolts with wirelocking on the Support One of the 
rudder spring tab (including torquing the bolts to the proper 
setting), per the Accomplishment Instructions of Dornier Service 
Bulletin SB-328-55-351 (for Model 328-100 series airplanes); or SB-
328J-55-058, Revision 1 (for Model 328-300 series airplanes); both 
dated April 10, 2001; as applicable.

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, 
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

    (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 directives 2001-260 and 2001-261, both dated September 
6, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 28, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-8285 Filed 4-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P