[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19689-19691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10485]
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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).
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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 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.
[[Page 19690]]
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 in-service 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
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 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.
[[Page 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.
Sec. 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]
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