[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2024)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 84262-84264] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2024-24386] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00134-T; Amendment 39-22858; AD 2024-19-16] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. This AD requires a one- time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, and limits the installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective November 26, 2024. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 2024. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Material Incorporated by Reference:For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3228; email todd.thompson@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2024 (89 FR 58089). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0051, dated February 23, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0051) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states there have been reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. The eyebolt is the connection between the reclining mechanism and the seat structure and connects the seat belt to the seat structure. Broken attachment eyebolts, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the correct operation of the safety belts, possibly resulting in injuries to seat occupants. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, and to limit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0051. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. Conclusion This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the [[Page 84263]] FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 EASA AD 2024-0051 specifies a one-time detailed inspection of affected eyebolt and spreader for correct installation and discrepancies (i.e., cracks, traces of aluminum flakes or remainders of ripped-out threads in the tip threads, and damaged thread runs), and applicable corrective actions (obtaining and following repair instructions and replacing the affected parts). EASA AD 2024-0051 also specifies an affected part may be installed provided, before installation, that part passed an inspection (no damage detected). This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES section. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates this AD affects 30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020........................ $0 $1,020 $30,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on- condition action that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action: Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cost per Labor cost Parts cost product ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... $1,126 $1,211 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD. Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) 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. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-19-16 Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH): Amendment 39-22858; Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00134-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 26, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/ furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. The FAA is issuing this AD to address broken attachment eyebolts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could prevent the [[Page 84264]] correct operation of the safety belts, possibly resulting in injuries to seat occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0051, dated February 23, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0051). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0051 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0051 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0051 specifies ``if, during the inspection required by paragraph (1) of this AD, discrepancies are detected, as defined in the ASB, before next flight, contact Deutsche Aircraft GmbH and Collins Aerospace for approved instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``if, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected, the discrepancy must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Deutsche Aircraft GmbH's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.'' (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2024-0051. (i) No Reporting or Return of Parts Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-0051 specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Deutsche Aircraft GmbH's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA- authorized signature. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3228; email todd.thompson@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0051, dated February 23, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2024-0051, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on September 23, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-24386 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P