[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49334-49336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20709]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-20-AD; Amendment 39-13270; AD 2003-16-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH Models 228-100, 
228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH (Dornier) Models 228-100, 
228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes that have 
electrical cabin/cockpit heater option P05 or option P09 installed. 
This AD requires you to modify the cockpit and cabin auxiliary heating 
wiring. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct problems with 
the current design of the heater wiring, which could result in failure 
of the auxiliary cabin heater. Such failure could lead to overheating 
and smoke in the cockpit.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on October 6, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
October 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, Customer Support, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 
Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (08153) 300; 
facsimile: (08153) 304463. You may view this information at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-20-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dornier Models 228-100, 
228-101, 228-200 and 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes. The LBA 
reports an occurrence of stuck contacts of the power relay of the 
heating circuit to the

[[Page 49335]]

auxiliary cabin heater, Dornier option P05 or P09.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the 
auxiliary cabin heater could lead to overheating and smoke in the 
cockpit.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to certain Dornier Models 228-100, 228-
101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes that have 
electrical cabin/cockpit heater option P05 or option P09 installed. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 15, 2003 (68 FR 26242). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to modify the cockpit and cabin auxiliary 
heating wiring.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not 
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of 
the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of 
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included 
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 14 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish this 
modification. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that may need such modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total cost  per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $60 per hour = $180.....             $95             $275
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? 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.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy 
of the final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-16-17 Dornier Luftfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-13270; Docket No. 
2003-CE-20-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with electrical cabin/cockpit heater option P05 or 
option P09 auxiliary cabin heater(s) (32HA/35HA or 51HA/52HA).
    (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 correct problems with the current design of 
the heater wiring, which could result in failure of the auxiliary 
cabin heater. Such failure could lead to overheating and smoke in 
the cockpit.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify any installed      Within the next 50    In accordance with
 cockpit and cabin auxiliary   hours time-in-        Fairchild Dornier
 cabin heater (32HA/35HA or    service (TIS) after   Dornier 228 Service
 51HA/52HA) heating wiring.    October 6, 2003       Bulletin No. SB-228-
                               (the effective date   249, Revision No.
                               of this AD), unless   1, dated October
                               already               14, 2002, and
                               accomplished.         following standard
                               Removal from the      practices.
                               airplane of any
                               unmodified
                               auxiliary cabin
                               heater (32HA/35HA
                               or 51HA/52HA) is
                               terminating action
                               for this AD.

[[Page 49336]]

 
(2) Do not install any        As of October 6,      Not applicable.
 auxiliary cabin heater        2003 (the effective
 (32HA/35HA or 51HA/52HA)      date of this AD).
 (or FAA-approved equivalent
 part number) unless it has
 been modified as required
 in paragraph (d)(1) of
 effective this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, 
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the 
Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For 
information on 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) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Fairchild Dornier Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-228-249, 
Revision No. 1, dated October 14, 2002. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from Dornier Luftfahrt 
GmbH, Customer Support, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: (08153) 300; facsimile: (08153) 
304463. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD Number 
2002-264, dated September 19, 2002.

    (g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on October 6, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 7, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20709 Filed 8-15-03; 8:45 am]
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