[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29148-29150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14035]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-187-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328 Series Airplanes 
Equipped with Honeywell GP-300 Guidance and Display Controller

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328 
series airplanes, that currently requires modification of certain 
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controllers. That AD was prompted 
by reports of smoke and fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300 
guidance and display controller due to a defective light bulb; and a 
report of failure of the autopilot to disconnect manually. The actions 
specified by that AD are intended to prevent a defective light bulb 
from causing a short circuit that emits smoke and fumes into the 
cockpit; or causing damage to the circuit cards and various components, 
which may lock the autopilot into the engaged mode. Locking of the 
autopilot into the engaged mode could lead to the inability of the 
pilot to disconnect the autopilot, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action would require verification 
of proper installation of the modification, and repair, if necessary.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 29, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-187-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 Honeywell, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Materiel, P.O. 
Box 21111, Phoenix, Arizona 85036. This information may be examined at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5220; fax (562) 627-5210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5345; fax (562) 627-5210.

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-187-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. 97-NM-187-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On May 31, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-12-13, amendment 39-9656 (61 
FR 29465, June 11, 1996), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328 
series airplanes, to require modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 
guidance and display controller. That action was prompted by reports of 
smoke and fumes emitting from the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display 
controller due to a defective light bulb; and a report of failure of 
the autopilot to disconnect manually. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit 
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit; or causing damage to the 
circuit cards and various components, which may lock the autopilot into 
the engaged mode. Locking of the autopilot into the engaged mode could 
lead to the inability of the pilot to disconnect the autopilot, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of AD 96-12-13, the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, has advised the FAA 
that the service bulletin issued by Honeywell and referenced in AD 96-
12-13 has been misinterpreted by personnel at Honeywell service 
centers. The LBA advises that, on an in-service airplane, a miswired 
unit of the GP-300 control panel was found, which caused the panel to 
overheat and generate smoke. In addition, two miswired units were found 
during the manufacturing process. Such miswired units would prevent the 
overheat protection device from functioning and could lead to smoke and 
fumes in the cockpit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Honeywell Service Bulletin 
7015327-22-4, dated March 31, 1997, which describes procedures for 
verification of proper installation of the modification by re-testing 
the circuit card assemblies, and repair, if necessary. The LBA 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued German 
airworthiness directive 96-239/2, dated June 19, 1997, in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.

[[Page 29149]]

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 supersede AD 96-12-13 to 
continue to require modification of certain Honeywell GP-300 guidance 
and display controllers. The proposed AD also would add a requirement 
for verification of proper installation of the modification of 
Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display controller, and repair, if 
necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 50 Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-12-13, and 
retained in this proposed AD, take approximately 7 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently 
required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,000, or $420 
per airplane.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $12,000, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-9656 (61 FR 
29465, June 11, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 97-NM-187-AD. Supersedes AD 96-12-13, 
Amendment 39-9656.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 airplanes, equipped with Honeywell 
GP-300 guidance and display controller having part number (P/N) 
7015327-901 or -902; 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 (c) 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 a defective light bulb from causing a short circuit 
that emits smoke and fumes into the cockpit, or causing damage to 
the circuit cards and various components, which may lock the 
autopilot into the engaged mode, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 96-12-13, Amendment 39-9656

    (a) Within 60 days after June 26, 1996 (the effective date of AD 
96-12-13, amendment 39-9656), modify the Honeywell GP-300 guidance 
and display controller, having P/N 7015327-901 or -902, in 
accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-22-2, dated March 
4, 1996.

New Requirements of this AD

    (b) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, verify 
that the wiring of the Honeywell GP-300 guidance and display 
controller is correct by conducting a re-test of the circuit card 
assemblies, in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin 7015327-
22-4, dated March 31, 1997. If any discrepancy is found, prior to 
further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (c) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) 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 96-239/2, dated June 19, 1997.


[[Page 29150]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14035 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P