[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60188-60189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29413]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-113-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series 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 Dornier Model 328-100 
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain 
electrical terminals with new electrical terminals. This proposal is 
prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loose electrical 
connections from causing an increase in electrical resistance, which 
could result in overheating at the electrical terminals and consequent 
smoke/fire in the airplane passenger cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-113-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, 
Germany. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    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 notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-113-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. 97-NM-113-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 Dornier 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA advises that, during 
a failed startup of an engine, the flight crew detected a smell of 
burned cables. This failure was attributed to loose electrical 
connections in the passenger cabin, which caused an increase in the 
electrical resistance. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in overheating at the electrical terminals and consequent smoke/fire in 
the airplane passenger cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-24-188, dated September 
11, 1996, which describes procedures for replacement of certain 
electrical terminals in the passenger cabin with new electrical 
terminals. 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 German airworthiness directive 96-291, dated November 7, 1996, 
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

[[Page 60189]]

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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 7 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $840, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

Dornier: Docket 97-NM-113-AD.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers 
3005 through 3015 inclusive, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loose electrical connections from causing an increase 
in electrical resistance, which could result in overheating at the 
electrical terminals and consequent smoke/fire in the airplane 
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the electrical terminals in the passenger cabin with new 
electrical terminals, in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin 
SB-328-24-188, dated September 11, 1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an electrical terminal having part number 001A903A8010002, 
001A903A8020002, or 001A903A8030002 on any airplane.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116, FAA.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 96-291, dated November 7, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29413 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P