[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53469-53471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-313-AD; Amendment 39-12852; AD 2002-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 and 328-300 
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 and 328-300 series 
airplanes, that requires 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: Effective September 20, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the

[[Page 53470]]

regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
September 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fairchild Dornier, Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, PO 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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
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: 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 and 
328-300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 
5, 2002 (67 FR 16331). That action proposed to require replacement of 
the bolts with new bolts with wirelocking on the Support One of the 
rudder spring tab.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 53 Model 328-100 series airplanes and 20 
Model 328-300 series 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 supplied 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 $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 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 ``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:

2002-16-13  Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-12852. 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 
Secs. 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

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Dornier 
Service Bulletin SB-328-55-351, dated April 10, 2001; or Dornier 
Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-058, Revision 1, dated April 10, 2001; 
as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

[[Page 53471]]

and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Fairchild Dornier, 
Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, PO 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directives 2001-260 and 2001-261, both dated September 
6, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 20, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 7, 2002.
Vi Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20511 Filed 8-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P