Airworthiness Directives; 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes

Published date08 March 2019
Citation84 FR 8482
Record Number2019-04144
SectionProposed rules
CourtFederal Aviation Administration
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 46 (Friday, March 8, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2019)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 8482-8485]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-04144]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Part 39
                [Docket No. FAA-2019-0117; Product Identifier 2018-NM-169-AD]
                RIN 2120-AA64
                Airworthiness Directives; 328 Support Services GmbH (Type
                Certificate Previously Held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild
                Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes
                AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
                328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. This proposed AD was
                prompted by a report indicating that undetected cracks may develop at
                the roll spoiler bearing arms. This proposed AD would require a one-
                time non-destructive test (NDT) inspection for cracks in the roll
                spoiler bearing arms and, if necessary, corrective actions. We are
                proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
                [[Page 8483]]
                DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2019.
                ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
                11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
                 Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
                 Fax: 202-493-2251.
                 Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
                Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
                Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
                 Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
                a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                 For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 328
                Support Services GmbH, Global Support Center, P.O. Box 1252, D-82231
                Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone +49 8153 88111 6666;
                fax +49 8153 88111 6565; email [email protected]; internet http://www.328support.de. You may view this service information at the FAA,
                Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
                information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
                231-3195.
                Examining the AD Docket
                 You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
                0117; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
                information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
                5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
                docket shortly after receipt.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
                International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
                216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3228.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Comments Invited
                 We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
                arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
                under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0117;
                Product Identifier 2018-NM-169-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
                We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
                environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
                comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because
                of those comments.
                 We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
                will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
                receive about this NPRM.
                Discussion
                 The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
                Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
                Airworthiness Directive 2018-0254, dated November 23, 2018 (referred to
                after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
                ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all 328 Support
                Services GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. The MCAI states:
                 Dornier 328 Maintenance Review Board Report provides
                instructions for a detailed inspection for the roll spoilers,
                including the bearing arms, by eddy current [EC] method. It was
                reported that whilst performing Maintenance Planning Document Task
                57-71-03-02-01, referring to Non-Destructive Test (NDT) Manual task
                57-71-03-318-000-AA0, the stacking of 6 parts at the bearing arm No.
                3 prevents detection of cracks with the given EC test settings. The
                NDT results are distorted by geometric features such as part edges
                and fastener installations. Furthermore, the access to certain areas
                is limited for the suggested NDT probe for geometrical reasons. The
                result of the technical investigation identified that undetected
                cracks may develop at the roll spoiler bearing arms, leading to a
                broken (disconnected) bearing arm No. 3, where the actuator is
                connected.
                 This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a
                roll spoiler becoming unresponsive to flight crew control inputs,
                possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
                 To address this potential unsafe condition, 328 SSG published
                the ASB [328 Support Services Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-57-043,
                dated September 21, 2018] to provide appropriate inspection
                instructions.
                 For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
                time NDT inspection of the affected parts and, depending on
                findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s) [repair
                of cracked parts].
                 You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
                0117.
                Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
                 328 Support Services has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-57-
                043, dated September 21, 2018. This service information describes
                procedures for a one-time NDT inspection for cracks in the roll spoiler
                bearing arms. This service information is reasonably available because
                the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
                business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
                FAA's Determination
                 This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
                country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
                to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
                been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
                information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
                evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe
                condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
                products of the same type design.
                Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
                 This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
                in the service information described previously.
                Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
                Information
                 Although the MCAI and 328 Support Services Alert Service Bulletin
                ASB-328-57-043, dated September 21, 2018, specify to submit certain
                information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
                requirement.
                Costs of Compliance
                 We estimate that this proposed AD affects 27 airplanes of U.S.
                registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
                AD:
                 Estimated Costs for Required Actions
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Cost per Cost on U.S.
                 Labor cost Parts cost product operators
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680........................... $0 $680 $18,360
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                [[Page 8484]]
                 We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
                cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
                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.
                 We are 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.
                 This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
                by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
                authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
                issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
                Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
                Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
                to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
                Division.
                Regulatory Findings
                 We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
                implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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);
                 3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
                 4. 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 Proposed Amendment
                 Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
                Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):
                328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by
                AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt
                GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2019-0117; Product Identifier 2018-NM-169-AD.
                (a) Comments Due Date
                 We must receive comments by April 22, 2019.
                (b) Affected ADs
                 None.
                (c) Applicability
                 This AD applies to 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate
                previously held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH;
                Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 airplanes, certificated in any
                category, all serial numbers.
                (d) Subject
                 Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
                (e) Reason
                 This AD was prompted by a report indicating that undetected
                cracks may develop at the roll spoiler bearing arms. We are issuing
                this AD to address cracks at the roll spoiler bearing arms, which,
                if not detected and corrected, could lead to a roll spoiler becoming
                unresponsive to flight crew control inputs, possibly resulting in
                loss of control of the airplane.
                (f) Compliance
                 Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
                unless already done.
                (g) Definition of Affected Parts
                 For the purposes of this AD, an affected part is the bearing arm
                of roll spoilers having part number (P/N) 001B577A1200000,
                001B577A1200001, 001B577A1200002, 001B577A1200003, 001B577A1200004,
                or 001B577A1200005.
                (h) Inspection
                 Within the compliance time specified in Figure 1 to paragraph
                (h) of this AD, as applicable, do a non-destructive test (NDT)
                inspection of each affected part in accordance with the
                Accomplishment Instructions of 328 Support Services Alert Service
                Bulletin ASB-328-57-043, dated September 21, 2018. The flight cycles
                (FC) specified in Figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD are the FC
                accumulated on the airplane since first flight of the airplane,
                unless otherwise specified.
                [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08MR19.000
                [[Page 8485]]
                (i) Corrective Action
                 If any crack is found during any inspection required by
                paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, obtain corrective
                actions approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport
                Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency
                (EASA); or 328 Support Services GmbH's EASA Design Organization
                Approval (DOA); and accomplish the corrective actions within the
                compliance time specified therein. If approved by the DOA, the
                approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
                (j) No Reporting Requirement
                 Although 328 Support Services Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-57-
                043, dated September 21, 2018, specifies to submit certain
                information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
                requirement.
                (k) Other FAA AD Provisions
                 The following provisions also apply to this AD:
                 (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
                International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight
                Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
                directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of
                the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. Information
                may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any
                approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or
                lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
                standards district office/certificate holding district office.
                 (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
                to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
                accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
                Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or 328 Support
                Services GmbH's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must
                include the DOA-authorized signature.
                (l) Related Information
                 (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
                (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0254, dated November 23,
                2018, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD
                docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
                for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0117.
                 (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson,
                Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
                Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
                and fax 206-231-3228.
                 (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 328
                Support Services GmbH, Global Support Center, P.O. Box 1252, D-82231
                Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone +49 8153 88111
                6666; fax +49 8153 88111 6565; email [email protected]; internet
                http://www.328support.de. You may view this service information at
                the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
                Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at
                the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
                 Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on February 28, 2019.
                Michael Kaszycki,
                Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
                Service.
                [FR Doc. 2019-04144 Filed 3-7-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
                

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