[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15647-15649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4556]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24095; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-21-AD]
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 (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH (DORNIER) Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-
201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you 
to repetitively inspect the wiring in the flight deck overhead panels 
(locations 5VE and 6VE) for chafing and damage and repair any chafed or 
damaged wires. Regardless of the results of each inspection, this 
proposed AD would require you to assure correct installation of the 
wiring in the flight deck overhead panels by reattaching or replacing 
the wire tie attachment holders and securing any loose wires to the 
wire tie attachment holders with plastic wire ties. This proposed AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are proposing 
this AD to detect, correct, and prevent chafed or damaged wires in the 
flight deck overhead panels, which could result in short-circuiting of 
related wiring. This condition could lead to electrical failure of 
affected systems and potential fire in the flight deck.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 27, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
RUAG Services GmbH, P.O. Box 1253, D-82231 Wessling; telephone: (08153) 
302506; fax: (08153) 304601.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24095; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-21-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all 
DORNIER Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 
airplanes. The LBA reports that vibrations are causing the plastic wire 
tie attachment holder in the flight deck overhead panels to lose its 
adhesiveness and become detached.
    When the wire tie attachment holder becomes detached, the wiring in 
the flight deck overhead panels is loose and may rub against the pins 
of the switches in the overhead panel causing chafing and damage to the 
wiring insulation.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical 
failure of affected systems and potential fire in the flight deck.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed RUAG AOT Dornier 228, All Operators Telefax 
service information No. AOT-228-24-028, Date of Issue: November 9, 
2005.
    The service information specifies:
     Repetitively inspecting the wiring in the flight deck 
overhead panels (locations 5VE and 6VE) for chafing and damage;
     Repairing any chafed or damaged wire(s); and
     Assuring correct installation of the wiring in the flight 
deck overhead panels by reattaching or replacing the wire tie 
attachment holders and securing any loose wires to the wire tie 
attachment holders with plastic wire ties.

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The LBA classified the service information as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number D-2005-438, Effective Date: December 14, 2005, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.
    These DORNIER Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, 
and 228-212 airplanes 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

[[Page 15648]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's 
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect the 
wiring in the flight deck overhead panels (locations 5VE and 6VE) for 
chafing and damage and repair any chafed or damaged wires. Regardless 
of the results of each inspection, this proposed AD would require you 
to assure correct installation of the wiring in the flight deck 
overhead panels by reattaching or replacing the wire tie attachment 
holders and securing any loose wires to the wire tie attachment holders 
with plastic wire ties.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD would affect 14 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 
do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Total cost
              Labor cost                      Parts cost             per         Total cost on U.S. operators
                                                                   airplane
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2 work hours x $80 per hour = $160...  Not applicable..........         $160  $160 x 14 = $2,240
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs 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 this 
repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Labor cost             Parts cost    Total cost per airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work hours x $80 per hour =          $100  $240 + $100 = $340
 $240.
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    Note: The cure time for the adhesive that is recommended in the 
service information is 48 hours at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees 
Fahrenheit) or 2 hours at 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees 
Fahrenheit).

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2006-24095; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-21-AD.

Comment Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by April 27, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 
228-202, and 228-212 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent 
chafed or damaged wires in the flight deck overhead panels, which 
could result in short-circuiting of related wiring. This condition 
could lead to electrical failure of affected systems and potential 
fire in the flight deck.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

[[Page 15649]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the wiring in     Within the next 100   Follow RUAG AOT
 the flight deck overhead      hours time-in-        Dornier 228, All
 panels (locations 5VE and     service (TIS) after   Operators Telefax
 6VE) for chafing and damage.  the effective date    service information
                               of this AD.           No. AOT-228-24-028,
                               Repetitively          Date of Issue:
                               inspect thereafter    November 9, 2005.
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 12 months.
(2) If you find any chafed    Before further        Follow RUAG AOT
 or damaged wires during any   flight after each     Dornier 228, All
 inspection required in        inspection required   Operators Telefax
 paragraph (e)(1) of this      in paragraph (e)(1)   service information
 AD, repair the affected       of this AD.           No. AOT-228-24-028,
 wire(s) and assure correct    Continue to           Date of Issue:
 installation of the wiring    repetitively          November 9, 2005.
 in the flight deck overhead   inspect as
 panels by reattaching or      specified in
 replacing the wire tie        paragraph (e)(1) of
 attachment holders and        this AD.
 securing any loose wires to
 the wire tie attachment
 holders with plastic wire
 ties.
(3) If you do not find any    Before further        Follow RUAG AOT
 chafed or damaged wires       flight after each     Dornier 228, All
 during any inspection         inspection required   Operators Telefax
 required in paragraph         in paragraph (e)(1)   service information
 (e)(1) of this AD, assure     of this AD.           No. AOT-228-24-028,
 correct installation of the   Continue to           Date of Issue:
 wiring in the flight deck     repetitively          November 9, 2005.
 overhead panels by            inspect as
 reattaching or replacing      specified in
 the wire tie attachment       paragraph (e)(1) of
 holders and securing any      this AD.
 loose wires to the wire tie
 attachment holders with
 plastic wire ties.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (g) German AD Number D-2005-438, Effective Date: December 14, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. To get copies of the 
documents referenced in this AD, contact RUAG Services GmbH, P.O. 
Box 1253, D-82231 Wessling; telephone: (08153) 302506; fax: (08153) 
304601. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-24095; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-21-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 22, 2006.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-4556 Filed 3-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P