AD 98-13-27

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of circuit breaker panels 10VE and 11VE; follow-on corrective actions; modification of the contact points; and installation of a high capacity fuse. This amendment also requires replacement of power relays 32HB and 36HB on relay panel 22VE with new parts. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical short circuits of the contact points and power relays on the circuit breaker panels, which could result in increased risk of smoke and fire damage in the flight compartment.

Final rule

98-13-27 DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH: Amendment 39-10618. Docket 98-NM-89-AD.
Applicability: Model 328-100 series airplanes equipped with circuit breaker panels 10VE up to and including serial number 131, and 11VE up to and including serial number 133; and Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers 3005 through 3095 inclusive; 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 (d) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent electrical short circuits of the contact points and power relays on the circuit breaker panels, which could result in increased risk of smoke and fire damage in the flight compartment, accomplish the following:

(a) For Model 328-100 series airplanes equipped with circuit breaker panels 10VE up to and including serial number 131, and 11VE up to and including serial number 133: Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies of circuit breaker panels 10VE and 11VE at the back lighting contact points, in accordance with Dornier Alert Service Bulletin ASB-328-31-016, dated April 2, 1997.

(1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, modify the contact points by applying additional sealant in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, replace the damaged circuit breaker panel with a new or serviceable panel and modify the contact points by applying additional sealant, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(b) For Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers 3005 through 3095 inclusive: Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install a jiffy junction fitted with a high capacity fuse on circuit breaker panels 10VE and 11VE, in accordance with version 1 or version 2, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-31-226, dated June 16, 1997, including Price/Material Information Sheet.

(c) For Model 328-100 series airplanes, serial numbers 3005 through 3089 inclusive: Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace relays 32HB and 36HB, part number (P/N) DON405M520U5NL, on relay panel 22VE with new relays, P/N 2504MY1, in accordance with Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-21-218, dated July 2, 1997, including Price/Material Information Sheet.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

(e) 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.

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with DornierAlert Service Bulletin ASB-328-31- 016, dated April 2, 1997; Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-31-226, dated June 16, 1997, including Price/Material Information Sheet; or Dornier Service Bulletin SB-328-21-218, dated July 2, 1997, including Price/Material Information Sheet, 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 FAIRCHILD DORNIER, DORNIER Luftfahrt 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German airworthiness directives 97-136, dated May 22, 1997; 97-330, dated November 20, 1997; and 97-323, dated November 20, 1997.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 30, 1998.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 1998 (63 FR 19689). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of circuit breaker panels 10VE and 11VE; follow-on corrective actions; modification of the contact points; and installation of a high capacity fuse. That action also proposed to require replacement of power relays 32HB and 36HB on relay panel 22VE with new parts.

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 ImpactThe FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection and application of sealant to the contact points, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of the sealant will be minimal. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the required inspection and modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $120 per airplane.

It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required installation of a high capacity fuse on the circuit breaker panels, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the required installation on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per airplane.

It will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement of the relays, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $300 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does 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) 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 asfollows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

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