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[Federal Register: May 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 98)] 

[Rules and Regulations] 

[Page 28591-28592] 

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] 

[DOCID:fr22my07-4] 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27295 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD; Amendment 39-15060; 

AD 2007-11-03] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH Model 228 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 

AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 

authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 

MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: 

 During a maintenance inspection, cracks were found on the centre section of fuselage frame 19. 

The investigation on the root cause is still in progress. Fuselage frame 19 supports the rear side of the 

main landing gear (MLG). This condition, if not corrected, could cause collapse of frame 19, leading 

to subsequent collapse of a MLG. 

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 26, 2007. 

 On June 26, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at 

the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 

Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 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; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD 

 The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. 

The streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner 

and will reduce safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD issuance 

processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. 

We also continue to meet our technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct unsafe 

conditions on U.S.-certificated products. 

 This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the 

engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and 

for this reason might not follow our plain language principles. 

Discussion 

 We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD 

that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 

March 16, 2007 (72 FR 12574). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states that: 

During a maintenance inspection, cracks were found on the centre section of 

fuselage frame 19. The investigation on the root cause is still in progress. 

Fuselage frame 19 supports the rear side of the main landing gear (MLG). 

This condition, if not corrected, could cause collapse of frame 19, leading to 

subsequent collapse of a MLG. Since an unsafe condition has been identified 

that may exist or develop on other aircraft of this type design, this 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires a visual inspection of the affected 

fuselage frame and, if discrepancies are found, reporting the results to the TC 

holder. This is considered to be an interim action. 

Comments 

 We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 

comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. 

Conclusion 

 We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require 

adopting the AD as proposed. 

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information 

 We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their 

substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to 

ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not 

intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service 

information. 

 We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to 

follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD. 
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Costs of Compliance 

 We estimate that this AD will affect 19 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 

take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average 

labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

 Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $9,120 or 

$480 per product. 

 In addition, this AD may require follow-on actions. Because each follow-on action is based on 

the damage found on the affected airplane, we have no way of determining the cost of those followon actions or the number of products that may need these actions. 

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 determined that 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 this AD: 

 (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. 

 We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it 

in the AD Docket. 

Examining the AD Docket 

 You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 

information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. 
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List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 
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FAA 

Aircraft Certification Service

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/ 

www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2007-11-03 Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-15060; Docket No. FAA-2007-27295; 

Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD. 

Effective Date 

 (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 26, 2007. 

Affected ADs 

 (b) None. 

Applicability 

 (c) This AD applies to Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, 

Dornier 228-202, and Dornier 228-212 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. 

Subject 

 (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage. 

Reason 

 (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

During a maintenance inspection, cracks were found on the centre section of 

fuselage frame 19. The investigation on the root cause is still in progress. 

Fuselage frame 19 supports the rear side of the main landing gear (MLG). 

This condition, if not corrected, could cause collapse of frame 19, leading to 

subsequent collapse of a MLG. Since an unsafe condition has been identified 

that may exist or develop on other aircraft of this type design, this 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires a visual inspection of the affected 

fuselage frame and, if discrepancies are found, reporting the results to the TC 

holder. This is considered to be an interim action. 

Actions and Compliance 

 (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: 

 (1) For all airplanes, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, 

visually inspect the affected fuselage frame 19 using the instructions in Dornier 228 RUAG Alert 

Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006. 
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 (2) If any crack is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before 

further flight, contact RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 

1253, 82231 Wessling, Germany; telephone: +49-(0)8153-30-2280; fax: +49-(0)8153-30-3030; email: customersupport.dornier228@ruag.com for FAA-approved repair instructions and incorporate 

the repair on the airplane. 

 Note 1: This is considered interim action. The State of Design and DORNIER LUFTFAHRT 

GmbH are looking at a possible repetitive inspection program and/or modification program to address 

this condition for the long-term. In the meantime, the FAA recommends that you incorporate the 

above inspection into your regular maintenance program. 

FAA AD Differences 

 Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: 

 (1) The MCAI requires different compliance times for airplanes operated in different conditions. 

The FAA is not able to enforce compliance times based on airplane operations since there is no way 

of determining the amount of operations in different conditions. To ensure the unsafe condition is 

addressed adequately and timely, we are requiring the inspection for all airplanes at 25 hours TIS. 

 (2) The MCAI allows flight with known cracks provided they do not exceed a certain limit. FAA 

policy does not allow flight with cracks in primary structure. Since the fuselage is considered primary 

structure, we are mandating repair before further flight after any crack is found. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

 (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: 

 (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: 

Karl Schletzabaum, 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. Before using 

any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 

inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. 

 (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a 

manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are 

considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated 

agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. 

 (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of 

the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120-0056. 

Related Information 

 (h) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No: 2007-0028, dated February 5, 

2007; and Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006, for 

related information. 
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Material Incorporated by Reference 

 (i) You must use Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 

1, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

 (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 

information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

 (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, 

Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, D-82231 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; 

telephone: 49 8153 302280. 

 (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 

Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-

6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

 Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 11, 2007. 

David R. Showers, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7-9600 Filed 5-21-07; 8:45 am]