[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 516-518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-146]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 516]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H. Model Do 27 Q-6 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H. (Dornier) Model Do 
27 Q-6 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
aileron and flap control cables for proper clearance from the fuel 
lines in the fuselage and make necessary adjustments; and inspect the 
fuel lines for damage and correct routing. This proposed AD would also 
require you to replace all damaged fuel lines and reroute incorrectly 
routed fuel lines. After all other corrective action is taken, this 
proposed AD would also require you to install protective sleeves on the 
fuel lines. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
detect and correct damaged fuel lines and prevent the potential for 
further damage occurring to the fuel lines in the fuselage. Damage to 
the fuel lines could result in fuel leaking into the fuselage which 
could cause a fire or explosion.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before February 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Fairchild Dornier GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: (011) 49 81 53-30 1; facsimile: (011) 
49 81 53-30 29 01. You may also view this information at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4143; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the proposed rule. You may view all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the proposed 
rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket 
that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on all Dornier Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes. The LBA reports that, during 
an annual maintenance inspection, a damaged fuel line was found in the 
area between the firewall and the instrument panel in the fuselage.
    Further inspection revealed that the damaged fuel line was 
incorrectly routed and not properly secured. Incorrect installation of 
the fuel line allowed the aileron control cable to chafe the fuel line, 
which caused the fuel line to leak.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not detected, corrected, and prevented, could 
result in fuel leaking into the fuselage. This could cause a fire or 
explosion.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Fairchild Dornier has issued Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin No. SB-
1141-0000, dated June 12, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin specifies the following:

--Inspecting the aileron and flap control cables for proper clearance 
from the fuel lines and making necessary adjustments;
--Inspecting the fuel lines for damage and correct routing;
--Replacing all damaged fuel lines and rerouting all incorrectly routed 
fuel lines; and
--Installing protective sleeves on the fuel lines.

[[Page 517]]

What Action Did the LBA Take?

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD 2002-240, dated July 26, 2002, in order to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    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 FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Dornier Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes of the same type 
design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to inspect the aileron and flap 
control cables in the fuselage for proper clearance from the fuel lines 
and make any necessary adjustments; and inspect the fuel lines for 
damage and correct routing. This proposed AD would also require you to 
replace all damaged fuel lines and reroute incorrectly routed fuel 
lines. After all other corrective action is taken, this proposed AD 
would also require you to install protective sleeves on the fuel lines.

What Is the Difference Between This Proposed AD, the LBA AD, and the 
Service Information?

    The LBA AD and the service information requires (on German-
registered airplanes) inspection and, if necessary, adjustments and/or 
replacement within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of the AD. We propose a requirement that you inspect 
and, if necessary, adjust and/or replace within the next 55 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this proposed AD. We do not have 
justification to require this action within the next 10 hours TIS.
    We use compliance times such as 10 hours TIS when we have 
identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 55 
hours TIS will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes 
enough time to have the proposed actions accomplished without 
compromising the safety of the airplanes.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Total cost per    Total cost on
                 Labor cost                              Parts cost               airplane       U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 = $60......................  Not applicable.................             $60     $60 x 2 = $120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to reroute any fuel line that would 
be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no 
way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such 
rerouting:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 = $120..........  No parts required...            $120
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need such replacements:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total cost per
            Labor cost                Parts cost          airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours x $60 = $360..........            $140    $360 + $140 = $500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    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 proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) 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 has been placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at 
the

[[Page 518]]

location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Dornier-Werke G.M.B.H.: Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated 
in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct damaged fuel lines and 
prevent the potential for further damage occurring to the fuel lines 
in the fuselage. Damage to the fuel lines could result in fuel 
leaking into the fuselage which could cause a fire or explosion.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following, unless 
already accomplished:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Actions                              Compliance                           Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the following:............  Within the next 55 hours time-in-    In accordance with Fairchild
(i) the aileron and flap control cable   service (TIS) after the effective    Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin No.
 for proper clearance from the fuel      date of this AD.                     SB-1141-0000, dated June 12, 2002.
 lines in the fuselage; and.
(ii) the fuel lines between the
 firewall and instrument panel for
 damage and correct routing.
(2) Make adjustments and/or             Prior to further flight after the    In accordance with Fairchild
 replacements if:.                       inspection required in paragraph     Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin No.
(i) improper clearance is detected       (d)(1) of this AD and if any of      SB-1141-0000, dated June 12, 2002.
 between the aileron and control cable   the conditions specified in
 and the fuel lines;.                    paragraph (d)(2) of this AD are
(ii) any fuel line is found damaged;     met.
 or.
(iii) any fuel line is incorrectly
 routed.
(3) Install a protective sleeve around  Prior to further flight after the    In accordance with Fairchild
 the fuel lines.                         inspection required in paragraph     Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin No.
                                         (d)(1) of this AD and when all       SB-1141-0000, dated June 12, 2002.
                                         corrective actions have been
                                         accomplished.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Standards Office.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Karl Schletzbaum, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Dornier GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Federal Republic of 
Germany; telephone: (011) 49 81 53-30 1; facsimile: (011) 49 81 53-
30 29 01. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2002-
240, dated July 26, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 30, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-146 Filed 1-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P