Airworthiness Directives; Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H. Model Do 27 Q-6 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14889-14891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7186]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD; Amendment 39-13096; AD 2003-06-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H. Model Do 27 Q-6 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H. (Dornier) Model Do 27 Q-6 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the aileron and flap control 
cables for proper clearance from the fuel lines in the fuselage and 
make necessary adjustments; and inspect the fuel lines for damage and 
correct routing. This AD also requires you to replace all damaged fuel 
lines and reroute incorrectly routed fuel lines. After all other 
corrective action is taken, this AD also requires you to install 
protective sleeves on the fuel lines. This AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to detect and correct damaged fuel lines and prevent the 
potential for further damage occurring to the fuel lines in the 
fuselage. Damage to the fuel lines could result in fuel leaking into 
the fuselage, which could cause a fire or explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 16, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 
16, 2003.

[[Page 14890]]


ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Fairchild Dornier GmbH, PO Box 1103, D-82230 Wessling, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: (011) 49 81 53-30 1; facsimile: (011) 
49 81 53-30 29 01. You may view this information at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-55-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4143; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on all Dornier Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes. The LBA reports that, during 
an annual maintenance inspection, a damaged fuel line was found in the 
area between the firewall and the instrument panel in the fuselage.
    Further inspection revealed that the damaged fuel line was 
incorrectly routed and not properly secured. Incorrect installation of 
the fuel line allowed the aileron control cable to chafe the fuel line, 
which caused the fuel line to leak.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    This condition, if not detected, corrected, and prevented, could 
result in fuel leaking into the fuselage. This could cause a fire or 
explosion.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all 
Dornier Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes. This proposal was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 
6, 2003 (68 FR 516). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the 
aileron and flap control cables in the fuselage for proper clearance 
from the fuel lines and make any necessary adjustments; and inspect the 
fuel lines for damage and correct routing. The NPRM also proposed to 
require you to replace all damaged fuel lines and reroute incorrectly 
routed fuel lines. After all other corrective action is taken, the NPRM 
also proposed to require you to install protective sleeves on the fuel 
lines.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:
    [sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
    [sbull] Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

What Is the Difference Between This AD, the LBA AD, and the Service 
Information?

    The LBA AD and the service information requires (on German-
registered airplanes) inspection and, if necessary, adjustments and/or 
replacement within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of the AD. We require that you inspect and, if 
necessary, adjust and/or replace within the next 55 hours TIS after the 
effective date of this AD. We do not have justification to require this 
action within the next 10 hours TIS.
    We use compliance times such as 10 hours TIS when we have 
identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 55 
hours TIS will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes 
enough time to have the actions accomplished without compromising the 
safety of the airplanes.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 2 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

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                                                                   Total cost
             Labor cost                       Parts cost          per airplane    Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour x $60 = $60.............  Not applicable.............          $60   $60 x 2 = $120.
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    We estimate the following costs to reroute any fuel line that will 
be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of 
determining the number of airplanes that may need such rerouting:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
           Labor cost                  Parts cost            airplane
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2 workhours x $60 = $120.......  No parts required.....            $120
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such replacements:

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                 Labor cost                      Parts cost                 Total cost per airplane
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6 workhours x $60 = $360....................            $140   $360 + $140 = $500.
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[[Page 14891]]

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    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.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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 copy of the final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-06-08 Dornier-Werke G.m.b.H.: Amendment 39-13096; Docket No. 
2002-CE-55-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model Do 27 Q-6 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated 
in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct damaged fuel lines and 
prevent the potential for further damage occurring to the fuel lines 
in the fuselage. Damage to the fuel lines could result in fuel 
leaking into the fuselage, which could cause a fire or explosion.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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                   Actions                                Compliance                        Procedures
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(1) Inspect the following:                     Within the next 55 hours time-in- In accordance with Fairchild
(i) The aileron and flap control cable for      service (TIS) after May 16,       Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin
 proper clearance from the fuel lines in the    2003 (the effective date of       No. SB-1141-0000, dated June
 fuselage; and                                  this AD).                         12, 2002.
(ii) The fuel lines between the firewall and
 instrument panel for damage and correct
 routing
(2) Make adjustments and/or replacements if:   Prior to further flight after     In accordance with Fairchild
(i) Improper clearance is detected between      the inspection required in        Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin
 the aileron and control cable and the fuel     paragraph (d)(1) of this AD and   No. SB-1141-0000, dated June
 lines;                                         if any of the conditions          12, 2002.
(ii) Any fuel line is found damaged; or         specified in paragraph (d)(2)
(iii) Any fuel line is incorrectly routed.      of this AD are met.
(3) Install a protective sleeve around the     Prior to further flight after     In accordance with Fairchild
 fuel lines                                     the inspection required in        Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin
                                                paragraph (d)(1) of this AD and   No. SB-1141-0000, dated June
                                                when all corrective actions       12, 2002.
                                                have been accomplished.
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    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Standards Office.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Karl Schletzbaum, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Fairchild Dornier Do 27 Service Bulletin No. SB-1141-0000, 
dated June 12, 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You may get copies from Dornier GmbH, P.O. Box 1103, D-82230 
Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (011) 49 81 53-30 
1; facsimile: (011) 49 81 53-30 29 01. You may view copies at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2002-
240, dated July 26, 2002.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on May 16, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 2003.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7186 Filed 3-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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