Airworthiness directives: Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H.,
[Federal Register: November 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 219)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64282]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 2002-NM-185-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. Model HFB 320 HANSA Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the elevator trim control cable assemblies with new assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent loss of elevator trim and possible loss of rudder and/or elevator function due to stress- corrosion cracking of certain cable terminals. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 15, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-185-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-185-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Airbus Deutschland G.m.b.H., Customer Service HFB 320, Mr. Dieter Mewes, Postfach 95 01 09, D-21111 Hamburg, Germany. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer; International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; 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 action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.
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 action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2002-NM-185-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. 2002-NM-185-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 Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes. The LBA advises that there is the possibility of stress-corrosion cracking on MS 21260 flight control cable terminals. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of elevator trim and possible loss of rudder and/or elevator function.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued HFB 320 Hansa Service Bulletin 27-75, dated May 31, 2002, which describes procedures for replacement of the elevator trim control cable assemblies with new assemblies. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued LBA airworthiness directive 2002-157, dated July 11, 2002, 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 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, 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 bulletin described previously.
[[Page 64283]]
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 6 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work hours to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, or $1,800 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operators would accomplish those actions in the future if this proposed 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 proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
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
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.M.B.H.: Docket 2002-NM-185-AD.
Applicability: Model HFB 320 HANSA airplanes, serial numbers 1023, 1027, 1030, 1032, 1033, 1035 through 1043 inclusive, 1045 through 1047 inclusive, 1050 through 1055 inclusive, 1057 through 1062 inclusive, 1064, and 1065; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent loss of elevator trim and possible loss of rudder and/or elevator function due to stress-corrosion cracking of certain cable terminals, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 30 flight cycles or 2 months from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the elevator trim control cable assemblies with new assemblies in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of HFB 320 Hansa Service Bulletin 27-75, dated May 31, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in German airworthiness directive 2002-157, dated May 31, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 2003. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28402 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
