[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11390-11392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6084]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-219-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 modifying the main 
landing gear (MLG) bay areas by installing additional slush protection 
covers in those areas. This proposal is prompted by the identification 
of a problem during flight test analysis, which indicated that slush 
can accumulate in the MLG bay areas. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent the accumulation of slush in the 
MLG bay areas, which could freeze and interfere with the landing gear 
or render it inoperative.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-219-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: Connie Beane, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 11391]]

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2796; fax (206) 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 96-NM-219-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. 96-NM-219-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA 
advises that flight test analysis has revealed that slush can 
accumulate in the main landing gear (MLG) bay areas when the airplane 
operates on taxiways and runways with more than 5 mm (0.2 inches) of 
slush. If this occurs, the slush could freeze and interfere with the 
extension or retraction of the landing gear and cause it to become 
inoperative.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-30-132, dated October 
11, 1995, which describes procedures for modifying the left and right 
MLG bay areas by installing additional slush protection covers in the 
MLG bay areas. This modification to the MLG bay areas will preclude the 
accumulation of slush in those areas, and will allow the airplane to 
operate in slush conditions up to 15 mm (0.6 inch).
    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German airworthiness directive 95-412, dated November 2, 1995, 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 modifying the left 
and right MLG bay areas by installing additional slush protection 
covers in those areas. The actions would be required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 40 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost 
of required parts would be negligible. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,200, 
or $480 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.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Dornier: Docket 96-NM-219-AD.

    Applicability: Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 3005 through 3063 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

[[Page 11392]]

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 the accumulation of slush in the main landing gear 
(MLG) bay areas that could freeze and interfere with the landing 
gear and result in it becoming inoperative, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the MLG bay areas by installing additional slush protection covers 
in those areas in accordance with Dornier
    Service Bulletin SB-328-30-132, dated October 11, 1995.
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 5, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-6084 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U