Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49752-49753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23744]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-207-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 replacement of a flight 
attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. 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 the disabling of 
the ``Fasten Seat Belt'' and ``No Smoking'' signs when they are 
required to be illuminated. Such disabling could result in the 
inability to instruct the passengers to extinguish their cigarettes and 
fasten their seat belts when required, which may contribute to 
passenger injury should a hard landing or in-flight turbulence be 
experienced.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 14, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-207-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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 99-NM-207-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. 99-NM-207-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, 
when the reading light switches that are located on the flight 
attendant panel are in the OFF position, the seat belt warning light 
switch and the no smoking warning light switch that are located on the 
flight deck overhead panel are inhibited from operating the passenger 
cabin ``Fasten Seat Belt'' and ``No Smoking'' warning lights. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in the inability to instruct 
the passengers to extinguish their cigarettes and fasten their seat 
belts when required, which may contribute to passenger injury should a 
hard landing or in-flight turbulence be experienced.

[[Page 49753]]

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dornier has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-33-271, dated September 
17, 1998, which describes procedures for replacement of a flight 
attendant panel with a new or modified panel and modification of its 
associated wiring. The LBA classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued German airworthiness directive 1999-053, dated 
February 25, 1999, 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 
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 require replacement of a 
flight attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 51 Model 328-100 series 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 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would be supplied by the airplane manufacturer free of charge. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,060, 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Docket 99-NM-207-AD.

    Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers 
3005 through 3093 inclusive and 3095 through 3111 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 (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 ensure that passengers are properly instructed to extinguish 
their cigarettes and fasten their seat belts when required, and to 
prevent consequent passenger injury should a hard landing or in-
flight turbulence be experienced, accomplish the following:

Panel Replacement

    (a) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the existing flight attendant panel 19VE with a new or modified 
panel, part number 328-0100, Amendment D, and modify the wiring 
associated with it; in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-
328-33-271, dated September 17, 1998.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a flight attendant panel 19VE, unless it has been 
modified in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-33-271, 
dated September 17, 1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on [date 35 days after date 
of publication of final rule in the Federal Register].

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German 
airworthiness directive 1999-053, dated February 25, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23744 Filed 9-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P