[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63475-63476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31332]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-114-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 removal and replacement 
of the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle. 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 failure of the center screw of 
the crew seat belt buckle, which could result in injury to the 
flightcrew during an emergency landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-114-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-114-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-114-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 indicating that, during an inspection, the center 
fixing screw of the flight crew restraint system was found to be loose. 
Investigation revealed that, during assembly of the release buckles, 
the center fixing screw could be contaminated, which would prevent the 
securing Loctite from curing. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in injury to the flightcrew during an emergency landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-25-196, dated November 
12, 1996, which describes procedures for removal and replacement of the 
center screw of the crew seat belt buckle. (The Dornier service 
bulletin references Aerospace Restraint Company (ARC) Service Bulletin 
1180002-25-01, dated October 11, 1996, as an additional source of 
service information for accomplishment of the removal and replacement.) 
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 97-001, dated January 16, 1997, in order to 
assure the 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 
actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average 
labor rate of $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 replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,000, or $60 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

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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 Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 97-NM-114-AD.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes equipped with 
Aerospace Restraint Company (ARC) restraints having part number (P/
N) 1180002-403-100, part serial number 0101 up to and including 0315 
inclusive, 0328, and 0329; 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 failure of the screw of the crew seat belt buckle, 
which could result in injury to the flightcrew during an emergency 
landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
and replace the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle in 
accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-25-196, dated 
November 12, 1996.

    Note 2: The Dornier service bulletin references Aerospace 
Restraint Company (ARC) Service Bulletin 1180002-25-01, dated 
October 11, 1996, as an additional source of service information for 
accomplishment of the removal and replacement.

    (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 request 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 3: 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 97-001, dated January 16, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 1997.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31332 Filed 11-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U