Airworthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 and Model 328-300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328-100 and Model 328-300 series airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed inspections of all attach caps of the passenger seats for cracks or defects; and replacement of the caps with new caps, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure due to cracking of the seat frame attach caps on the passenger seat assemblies, which could result in separation of the passenger seat from the supporting structure during an emergency landing, hard landing, or turbulence, and consequent injury to the seat occupant. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective June 9, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from AvCraft Aerospace GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Germany. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1503; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dornier Model 328-100 and Model 328-300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2004 (69 FR 10372). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections of all attach caps of the passenger seats for cracks or defects; and replacement of the caps with new caps, if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 101 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,695, or $195 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.

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

2004-09-12 Fairchild Dornier GMBH (Formerly Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH): Amendment 39-13601. Docket 2003-NM-112-AD.

Applicability: Model 328-100 and -300 series airplanes, equipped with B/E Aerospace passenger seats, Model part number (P/N) 2524.519-.() and Model P/N 2524.520-.(); certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent failure due to cracking of the seat frame attach caps on the passenger seat assemblies, which could result in separation of the passenger seat from the supporting structure during an emergency landing, hard landing, or turbulence, and consequent injury to the seat occupant; accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin References

(a) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-25-412, dated November 21, 2002 (for Model 328-100 series airplanes); and Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328J-25-143, dated November 21, 2002 (for Model 328-300 series airplanes); as applicable.

Note 1:

The Dornier service bulletins refer to B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 2524.519/520-2532, dated November 2, 2001; and B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 2524.519/520-2530, Revision C, dated November 12, 2001; as additional sources of service information for accomplishment of the inspections and replacement of the passenger seat attach caps.

Inspection

(b) Within 100 flight hours from the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed inspection of all attach caps of the passenger seats for cracks or defects, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Repeat the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,000 flight hours or 48 months, whichever comes first.

Note 2:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”

Replacement

(c) If any cracked or defective seat frame attach cap is found during any detailed inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the cap with a new cap in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Reporting Requirement

(d) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-25-412, dated November 21, 2002; or Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328J-25-143, dated November 21, 2002; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from AvCraft Aerospace GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Note 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in German airworthiness directive 2003-063, dated March 6, 2003, and German airworthiness directive 2003-072, dated March 6, 2003.

Effective Date

(g) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 2004.