[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14371-14373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7686]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-110-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 all Dornier Model 328-100 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require inspections for chafing of 
various control cables, and replacement of any chafed cable with a 
serviceable cable. This proposal is prompted by chafing of various 
control cables found during inspections conducted at the manufacturer's 
facility and at overhaul facilities. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent such chafing, which could cause the 
pilot's controls for the autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine to be 
ineffective. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-110-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, 
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-110-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-110-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 all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes. The LBA advises 
that it received several reports indicating that chafing of

[[Page 14372]]

various control cables (i.e., the autopilot, elevator and rudder, and 
engine control cables) was found during inspections conducted at the 
manufacturer's facility and at overhaul facilities. Chafing of these 
control cables can occur due to high cable tension through the 
fairleads, misalignment, and/or sharp pulley groove designs. Such 
chafing of the control cables could cause the pilot's controls for the 
autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine to be ineffective. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-00-011, dated 
December 4, 1995, which describes procedures for the following:
    <bullet> Repetitive inspections for chafing of the autopilot 
control cables (elevator, rudder, and aileron) in the area of the servo 
drums, and adjustment of the tension of all autopilot control cables; 
and replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable.
    <bullet> Repetitive inspections for chafing of the elevator and 
rudder control cables and fairleads in the area of the rear pressure 
bulkhead, and to determine correct installation of the bulkhead; 
replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable; and 
readjustment of any incorrect installation.
    <bullet> Repetitive inspections for chafing of the engine control 
cables and fairleads in the area of the fuselage conduit seal housing 
and the wing/nacelle fairleads; and replacement of any chafed cable 
with a serviceable cable.
    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German airworthiness directive 96-001, dated January 3, 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, the 
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for chafing of the 
control cables (autopilot, elevator and rudder, and engine), and 
replacement of any chafed cable with a serviceable cable. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert 
service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 42 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $15,120, or $360 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 96-NM-110-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 328-100 series airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 chafing of various control cables, which could cause 
the pilot's controls for the autopilot, elevator/rudder, and engine 
to be ineffective, and could result in consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total hours time-in-
service, or within 200 hours time-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Accomplish the requirements 
of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance 
with Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-00-011, dated December 
4, 1995. Repeat those actions thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
1,500 hours time-in-service.
    (1) Perform an inspection for chafing of the autopilot control 
cables (elevator, rudder, and aileron) in the area of the servo 
drums, and adjust the tension of all autopilot control cables. If 
any chafing is found, prior to further flight, replace the chafed 
cable with a serviceable cable.
    (2) Perform an inspection for chafing of the elevator and rudder 
control cables and fairleads in the area of the rear pressure 
bulkhead, and to determine correct installation of the bulkhead.

[[Page 14373]]

    (i) If any chafing is found, prior to further flight, replace 
the chafed cable with a serviceable cable.
    (ii) If any incorrect installation is found, prior to further 
flight, readjust the installation.
    (3) Perform an inspection for chafing of the engine control 
cables and fairleads in the area of the fuselage conduit seal 
housing and the wing/nacelle fairleads. If any chafing is found, 
prior to further flight, replace the chafed cable with a serviceable 
cable.
    (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 20, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7686 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U