Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 19689

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 57 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish the proposed installation,

at an average labor rate of $60 per work

hour. Required parts would be minimal.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the installation proposed by this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$3,420, 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

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:

British Aerospace [Formerly Jetstream

Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace

(Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket

98–NM–115–AD.

Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes,

constructor’s numbers 41004 through 41100

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

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 blockage of the fire extinguisher

exhaust port, which could result in reduced

fire protection in the rear baggage bay and

consequent injury to the passengers and

crewmembers, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 4 months after the effective date

of this AD, install a warning placard near the

fire extinguisher exhaust port in the rear

baggage bay, in accordance with British

Aerospace Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin

J41–11–020, dated November 10, 1997.

(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 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 §§ 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 April 15,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10486 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–89–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

a one-time inspection to detect

discrepancies of circuit breaker panels

10VE and 11VE; follow-on corrective

actions; modification of the contact

points; and installation of a high

capacity fuse. This proposal would also

require replacement of power relays

32HB and 36HB on relay panel 22VE

with new parts. 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 electrical

short circuits of the contact points and

power relays on the circuit breaker

panels, which could result in increased

risk of smoke and fire damage in the

flight compartment.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

89–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.
19690 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Fairchild Dornier, 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:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

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 98–NM–89–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.

98–NM–89–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

reports indicating that, on certain inservice airplanes, signs of overheating,

sparking, and burning were discovered

on circuit breaker panels 10VE and

11VE at the back lighting contact points.

These signs of damage may have

included delamination, discoloration,

pitting, and scorching. Investigation has

revealed that an electrical short circuit

occurred at the back lighting contact

points of the circuit breaker panels. The

cause of the electrical short circuit was

attributed to the accumulation of

moisture and condensation on the

exposed contact points.

In addition, the LBA advises that the

pilot of a Dornier Model 328–100 series

airplane reported that the recirculation

fan in the air-conditioning system

failed. The recirculation fan was

mounted on relay panel 22VE. During

investigation into the failure of the

recirculation fan, personnel discovered

that power relay 32HB, power relay

36HB, and a connector had melted at

relay panel 22VE. Further investigation

revealed that power relays 32HB and

36HB became hot during flight, and the

temperature of the relays exceeded

permissible levels. The cause of the

overheating and melting was attributed

to an inadequate relay design that could

not withstand higher electrical loads

than anticipated. These electrical short

circuits, if not corrected, could result in

increased risk of smoke and fire damage

in the flight compartment.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Dornier has issued Alert Service

Bulletin ASB–328–31–016, dated April

2, 1997, which describes procedures for

a one-time visual inspection to detect

signs of overheating, sparking, or fire

damage to circuit breaker panels 10VE

and 11VE at the back lighting contact

points. This alert service bulletin also

describes procedures for replacement of

any damaged circuit breaker panel with

a new or serviceable panel, and

modification of the contact points by

applying additional sealant.

Dornier has also issued Service

Bulletin SB–328–31–226, including

Price/Material Information Sheet, dated

June 16, 1997, which describes

procedures for modification of circuit

breaker panels 10VE and 11VE by

installing a jiffy junction (high capacity

fuse assembly).

In addition, Dornier has issued

Service Bulletin SB–328–21–218,

including Price/Material Information

Sheet, dated July 2, 1997, which

describes procedures for replacement of

relays 32HB and 36HB, part number (P/

N) DON405M520U5NL, on relay panel

22VE with new relays, P/N 2504MY1,

having a higher load capacity.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletins is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The LBA

classified these service bulletins as

mandatory and issued German

airworthiness directives 97–136, dated

May 22, 1997; 97–330, dated November

20, 1997; and 97–323, dated November

20, 1997; 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 § 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 bulletins 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 2 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed inspection and application of

sealant to the contact points, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

The cost of the sealant would be

minimal. Based on this figure, the cost

impact of the proposed inspection and

modification on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $120 per airplane.

It would take approximately 1 work

hour per airplane to accomplish the

proposed installation of a high capacity

fuse on the circuit breaker panels, 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 this figure, the cost

impact of the proposed installation on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per

airplane.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 19691

It would take approximately 5 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed replacement of the relays, 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 this figure, the cost

impact of the proposed replacement on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $300

per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are 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 Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 98–NM–89–

AD.

Applicability: Model 328–100 series

airplanes equipped with circuit breaker

panels 10VE up to and including serial

number 131, and 11VE up to and including

serial number 133; and Model 328–100 series

airplanes, serial numbers 3005 through 3095

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

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 (d) 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 electrical short circuits of the

contact points and power relays on the

circuit breaker panels, which could result in

increased risk of smoke and fire damage in

the flight compartment, accomplish the

following:

(a) For Model 328–100 series airplanes

equipped with circuit breaker panels 10VE

up to and including serial number 131, and

11VE up to and including serial number 133:

Within 14 days after the effective date of this

AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to

detect discrepancies of circuit breaker panels

10VE and 11VE at the back lighting contact

points, in accordance with Dornier Alert

Service Bulletin ASB–328–31–016, dated

April 2, 1997.

(1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to

further flight, modify the contact points by

applying additional sealant in accordance

with the alert service bulletin.

(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to

further flight, replace the damaged circuit

breaker panel with a new or serviceable

panel and modify the contact points by

applying additional sealant, in accordance

with the alert service bulletin.

(b) For Model 328–100 series airplanes,

serial numbers 3005 through 3095 inclusive:

Within 90 days after the effective date of this

AD, install a jiffy junction fitted with a high

capacity fuse on circuit breaker panels 10VE

and 11VE, in accordance with version 1 or

version 2, as applicable, of the

Accomplishment Instructions of Dornier

Service Bulletin SB–328–31–226, including

Price/Material Information Sheet, dated June

16, 1997.

(c) For Model 328–100 series airplanes,

serial numbers 3005 through 3089 inclusive:

Within 90 days after the effective date of this

AD, replace relays 32HB and 36HB, part

number (P/N) DON405M520U5NL, on relay

panel 22VE with new relays, P/N 2504MY1,

in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin

SB–328–21–218, including Price/Material

Information Sheet, dated July 2, 1997.

(d) 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.

(e) 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 directives 97–136,

dated May 22, 1997; 97–330, dated November

20, 1997; and 97–323, dated November 20,

1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 15,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10485 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 107, 108, and 139

[Docket Nos. 28979 and 28978]

RIN 2120–AD–46 and 2120–AD–45

Airport and Aircraft Operator Security;

Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of the

comment period and public meetings.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the

reopening of the comment period and

two public meetings on the notices of

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Airport

Security (Parts 107 and 139), and

Aircraft Operator Security (Part 108),

published in the Federal Register on

August 1, 1997. The comment period is

being reopened and two public meetings

are being held to provide an additional

opportunity for the public to comment

on the proposals.

DATES: The comment period will close

on June 26, 1998. The public meetings

will be held on May 21, 1998, at 9:00