[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 30, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35829-35831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14439]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2667; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00473-T;
Amendment 39-23092; AD 2025-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type
Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft
Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH)
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-03-
07, which applied to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-
300 airplanes. AD 2024-03-07 required a one-time detailed inspection of
each affected part, and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA
issued AD 2024-03-07, the FAA determined that repetitive inspections
are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2024-03-
07 and requires repetitive inspections of the affected part. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2667; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected].
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2667.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Salameh, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-
231-3536; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-03-07, Amendment 39-22677 (89 FR
17723, March 12, 2024) (AD 2024-03-07). AD 2024-03-07 applied to all
Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. AD 2024-03-
07 required a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and
applicable corrective actions. The FAA issued AD 2024-03-07 to address
operator reports of worn and ruptured bonding straps inside the feeder
wing tanks and in both outer and inner wing tanks.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2024
(89 FR 104459). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0154, dated August 2,
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0154) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union. The MCAI states that occurrences were reported of
finding damaged affected parts (i.e., worn and ruptured bonding
straps). The extent of the detected damage of the affected parts did
not ensure that appropriately low electrical impedance is obtained and
maintained through the affected bonding path. This condition, if not
detected and corrected, could lead to loss of bonding function and, in
combination with a lightning strike, create a source of ignition in a
fuel tank, possibly resulting in a fire or explosion and consequent
loss of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in
AD
[[Page 35830]]
2024-03-07 and to require repetitive inspections of the affected parts,
as specified in EASA AD 2024-0154. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2667.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0154, which specifies procedures for
repetitive detailed inspections for damage of the bonding straps
located inside the feeder wing tank (left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH)
sides), outer and inner wing tanks (LH and RH sides), and replacement
or repair of damaged affected parts. EASA AD 2024-0154 also specifies
procedures for an optional modification to replace all the existing
bonding straps with parts of the same cross-section and length but with
nickel-plated surface protection. The optional modification still
includes detailed inspections for damage of the bonding straps as
required by EASA AD 2024-0154, but allows for the termination of
repetitive inspections. This material is reasonably available because
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 23 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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44 work-hours x $85 per hour = $3,740............ $0 $3,740 $86,020
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Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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56 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,500 $6,260
$4,760.........................
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required or optional actions. The FAA has no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacement
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $117 $967
$850...........................
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
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.
The FAA is 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator,
[[Page 35831]]
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-03-07, Amendment 39-22677
(89 FR 17723, March 12, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2025-15-05 Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held
by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild
Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH): Amendment 39-23092; Docket
No. FAA-2024-2667; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00473-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2024-03-07, Amendment 39-22677 (89 FR 17723,
March 12, 2024) (AD 2024-03-07).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate
Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace
GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100
and 328-300 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by operator reports of worn and ruptured
bonding straps inside the feeder wing tanks and in both outer and
inner wing tanks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damaged
bonding straps. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in the loss of bonding function and, in combination with a lightning
strike, create a source of ignition in a fuel tank, possibly
resulting in a fire or explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0154, dated August 2, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0154).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0154
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0154 refers to July 26, 2023 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0137), this AD requires using April
16, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-03-07).
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0154 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0154.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0154 specifies if ``any
damage is detected as defined in the inspection ASB,'' this AD
requires replacing those words with ``any worn or ruptured bonding
strap is detected.''
(5) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0154 specifies
``Modification of an aeroplane in accordance with the instructions
of the modification SB'', this AD requires replacing those words
with ``Accomplishing a modification, including doing detailed
inspections, of an airplane in accordance with the instructions of
the modification SB, and doing corrective actions if any worn or
ruptured bonding strap is detected as specified in paragraph (3)''.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Deutsche Aircraft GmbH's EASA
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Joe Salameh,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3536; email
[email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0154,
dated August 2, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on July 23, 2025.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-14439 Filed 7-29-25; 8:45 am]
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