[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14658-14660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7888]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-121-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH Models 228-100,
228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH (Dornier)
Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212
airplanes. The proposed AD would require modifying the logic in the
failure detection circuits of the landing gear uplock switches. The
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent a
false warning indication of landing gear failure because of the design
of the landing gear warning system, which could result in incorrect
actions from the pilot based on the warning indications.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 27, 1998.
[[Page 14659]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-121-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Dornier, Product Support, P.O. Box 1103,
D-82230 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (08153) 300;
facsimile: (08153) 302985. This information also may be examined at the
Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile:
(816) 426-2169.
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 should 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 that summarizes 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 No. 97-CE-121-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-121-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Dornier Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201,
228-202, and 228-212 airplanes. The LBA reports an incident of a false
landing gear warning indication on one of the above-referenced
airplanes. The current design of the landing gear warning system is
such that the three uplock switches could actuate in a parallel
connection. If one or two switches fail or failure in the wiring cables
occurs, the system would not identify the failed system. The third
switch may then initiate a false gear warning indication.
These conditions, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result
in incorrect actions from the pilot based on false landing gear warning
indications.
Relevant Service Information
Dornier has issued Service Bulletin No. SB-228-215, Revision No. 1,
dated January 31, 1995, which specifies procedures for modifying the
logic in the failure detection circuits of the landing gear uplock
switches.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD No. 95-246, dated August 23, 1995, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.
The FAA's Determination
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, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Dornier Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200,
228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes of the same type design
registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD action. The
proposed AD would require modifying the logic in the failure detection
circuits of the landing gear uplock switches. Accomplishment of the
proposed installation would be in accordance with Dornier Service
Bulletin No. SB-228-215, Revision No. 1, dated January 31, 1995.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 26 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 32
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $49,920, or $1,920 per airplane.
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 action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 has been placed 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:
[[Page 14660]]
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 a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Dornier Luftfahrt GmBH: Docket No. 97-CE-121-AD.
Applicability: Models 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-
202, and 228-212 airplanes, serial numbers 0001 through 8235,
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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent a false warning indication of landing gear failure
because of the design of the landing gear warning system, which
could result in incorrect actions from the pilot based on the
warning indications, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the logic in the failure detection circuits of the
landing gear uplock switches in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
INSTRUCTIONS section of Dornier Service Bulletin No. SB-228-215,
Revision No. 1, dated January 31, 1995.
(b) 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.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut,
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64016. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Dornier
Service Bulletin No. SB-228-215, Revision No. 1, dated January 31,
1995, should be directed to Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Dornier, Product
Support, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Federal Republic of
Germany; telephone: (08153) 300; facsimile: (08153) 302985. This
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 95-246,
dated August 23, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7888 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P