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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration 

          - 14 CFR Part 39 
          - [Docket No. FAA-2007-27295; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD] 
          - RIN 2120-AA64 

# AGENCY:

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

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 

# SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. 

# DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 16, 2007. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods: 
      - DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov                          and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.                     
      - Fax: (202) 493-2251.
      - Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
      - 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.
      - Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.                          Follow the instructions for submitting comments.                     

## 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 this proposed AD, 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.                 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Streamlined Issuance of AD 

                    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. This 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 proposed AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles. 

## Comments Invited 

                    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the                     **ADDRESSES**                     section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2007-27295; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because 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 about this proposed AD.                 

## Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD No: 2007-0028, dated February 5, 2007 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 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. 

The MCAI requires:

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that may exist or develop on other aircraft of the 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.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

## Relevant Service Information 

DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH has issued Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 

## FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD 

                    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another                           ( print page 12575)                        country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.                 

## Differences Between This Proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed AD. 

## Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 19 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $9,120, or $480 per product. 

In addition, this proposed AD may require follow-on actions. We have no way of determining the cost of those follow-on 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 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 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. 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. 

# 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. 

§ 39.13 

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

**DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH:**                                 Docket No. FAA-2007-27295; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD.                             

## Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by April 16, 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. 

## 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. 

                                (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; e-mail:                                 *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,                                       ( print page 12576)                                    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.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 9, 2007. 

David R. Showers, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7-4850 Filed 3-15-07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P