[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64282-64283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28402]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-185-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. Model 
HFB 320 HANSA 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 Hamburger Flugzeugbau 
G.m.b.H. Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes. This proposal would require 
replacement of the elevator trim control cable assemblies with new 
assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent loss of elevator trim 
and possible loss of rudder and/or elevator function due to stress-
corrosion cracking of certain cable terminals. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-185-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. 2002-NM-185-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 Airbus Deutschland G.m.b.H., Customer Service HFB 320, 
Mr. Dieter Mewes, Postfach 95 01 09, D-21111 Hamburg, Germany. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer; 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-185-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. 2002-NM-185-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 Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes. 
The LBA advises that there is the possibility of stress-corrosion 
cracking on MS 21260 flight control cable terminals. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in loss of elevator trim and possible loss 
of rudder and/or elevator function.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued HFB 320 Hansa Service Bulletin 27-75, 
dated May 31, 2002, which describes procedures for replacement of the 
elevator trim control cable assemblies with new assemblies. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The LBA 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued LBA 
airworthiness directive 2002-157, dated July 11, 2002, in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.

FAA's Conclusions

    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 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 this type design 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 design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

[[Page 64283]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 6 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, 
or $1,800 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operators would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this proposed 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 
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:

Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.M.B.H.: Docket 2002-NM-185-AD.

    Applicability: Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes, serial numbers 
1023, 1027, 1030, 1032, 1033, 1035 through 1043 inclusive, 1045 
through 1047 inclusive, 1050 through 1055 inclusive, 1057 through 
1062 inclusive, 1064, and 1065; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of elevator trim and possible loss of rudder 
and/or elevator function due to stress-corrosion cracking of certain 
cable terminals, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 30 flight cycles or 2 months from the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the elevator trim 
control cable assemblies with new assemblies in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of HFB 320 Hansa Service Bulletin 27-75, 
dated May 31, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 2002-157, dated May 31, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28402 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P