Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 219 / Thursday, November 13, 1997 / Proposed Rules 60813

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–111–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dornier

Model 328–100 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

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

modification of a certain electrical panel

and relay support. This proposal is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent possible

electrical short circuits, which could

result in loss of certain electrical

indicating and recording systems, and

the possibility of a fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by

December 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

111–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, Federal Republic of

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–111–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–103, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–NM–111–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 Model 328–100 series airplanes.

The LBA advises that it has received a

report of loose relay terminals, caused

by vibration, in certain electrical

circuits. These loose relay terminals

could result in an electrical short circuit

at electrical panel 35VE, and relay

support 36VE. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in loss of certain

electrical indicating and recording

systems, and the possibility of a fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Dornier has issued Service Bulletin

SB–328–31–172, dated June 18, 1996,

which describes procedures for

modifications of electric panel 35VE

and relay support 36VE by installing

new terminal studs, spacers, and Usections. 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 96–289, dated

October 10, 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

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 41 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 16 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 the operators. Based on

these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $39,360, or $960 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.
60814 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 219 / Thursday, November 13, 1997 / Proposed Rules

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

DORNIER: Docket 97–NM–111–AD.

Applicability: Model 328–100 series

airplanes, serial numbers 3005 through 3065

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 (b) 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 possible electrical short

circuits, which could result in loss of certain

electrical indicating and recording systems,

and the possibility of a fire, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 90 days after the effective date

of this AD, modify electrical panel 35VE and

relay support 36VE in accordance with

Dornier Service Bulletin SB–328–31–172,

dated June 18, 1996.

(b) 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.

(c) 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 96–289,

dated October 10, 1996.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

November 6, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–29826 Filed 11–12–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97–AEA–43]

Proposed Amendment to Class E

Airspace; Somerset, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to

amend the Class E airspace area at

Somerset, PA. The development of a

new Standard Instrument Approach

Procedure (SIAP) based on the Global

Positioning System (GPS) at Somerset

County Airport has made this proposal

necessary. Additional controlled

airspace extending upward from 700

feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is

needed to accommodate the SIAP and

for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before December 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposal in triplicate to: Manager,

Airspace Branch, AEA–520, Docket No.

97–AEA–43, F.A.A. Eastern Region,

Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy

Int’l Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, AEA–7, F.A.A. Eastern Region,

Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy

International Airport, Jamaica, New

York 11430.

An informal docket may also be

examined during normal business hours

in the Airspace Branch, AEA–520,

F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building

#111, John F. Kennedy International

Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Francis T. Jordan, Jr., Airspace

Specialist, Airspace Branch, AEA–520

F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building

#111, John F. Kennedy International

Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430;

telephone: (718) 553–4521.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to

participate in this proposed rulemaking

by submitting such written data, views,

or arguments as they may desire.

Comments that provide the factual basis

supporting the views and suggestions

presented are particularly helpful in

developing reasoned regulatory

decisions on the proposal. Comments

are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, economic, environmental,

and energy-related aspects of the

proposal. Communications should

identify the airspace docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

listed above. Commenters wishing the

FAA to acknowledge receipt of their

comments on this notice must submit

with those comments a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the

following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97–

AEA–43.’’ The postcard will be date/

time stamped and returned to the

commenter. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered before

taking action on the proposed rule. The

proposal contained in this notice may

be changed in light of comments

received. All comments submitted will

be available for examination in the

Rules Docket both before and after the

closing date for comments. A report

summarizing each substantive public

contact with the FAA personnel

concerned with this rulemaking will be

filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

by submitting a request to the Office of