Airworthiness Directives; DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10348-10350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03424]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0962; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-028-AD; 
Amendment 39-17760; AD 2014-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DORNIER 
LUFTFAHRT GmbH Model 228-212 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as main landing gear axle failure caused by initial fatigue 
cracking and small pre-damage by corrosion. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 1, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 1, 
2014.

[[Page 10349]]


ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0962; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact RUAG 
Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, 
82231 Wessling, Germany; telephone: +49-(0)8153-30-2280; fax: +49-
(0)8153-30-3030; Internet: http://www.ruag.com/en/Aviation/Aviation_Home. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Model 
228-212 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
November 19, 2013 (78 FR 69320). That NPRM proposed to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    An event of a main landing gear (MLG) axle break during 
touchdown has been reported. The results of the subsequent technical 
investigation indicated that improper restoration of corrosion 
protection was the likely cause of the initial fatigue cracking.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the main landing gear axle, possibly resulting in a 
runway excursion with consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury 
to the occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RUAG Aerospace 
Services GmbH issued Service Bulletin (SB) SB-228-300, Rev. 1.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the MLG axle and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0962-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 69320, November 19, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 69320, November 19, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 69320, November 19, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD would affect 2 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 160 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $27,200, or $13,600 per product.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-0962; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM (78 FR 69320, November 19, 2013), the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

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 FAA amends 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 AD:

2014-04-02 Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-17760; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0962; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-028-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 1, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 10350]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Model 228-212 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as improper 
restoration of corrosion protection as the likely cause of initial 
fatigue cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) axle. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct possible corrosion and cracking of the 
MLG axle, which could lead to failure of the MLG axle resulting in a 
runway excursion with consequent damage to the airplane and injury 
to the occupants.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and 
(f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Inspect the MLG axle following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH Dornier 228 Service 
Bulletin No. SB-228-300, Revision 1, dated April 25, 2013, at the 
time specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) If, as of April 1, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), the 
main landing gear (MLG) has 6,000 or more hours time-in-service 
(TIS) since new or is 10 years old or is more than 10 years old: 
Within the next 400 hours TIS after April 1, 2014 (the effective 
date of this AD) or within the next 6 months after April 1, 2014 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first.
    (ii) If, as of April 1, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), 
the MLG has less than 6,000 hours TIS since new or is between 5 to 
10 years old: Before or upon accumulating 6,400 hours TIS or within 
6 months after April 1, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first.
    (2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, any discrepancies are found outside the limits specified in 
RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH Dornier 228 Service Bulletin No. SB-
228-300, Revision 1, dated April 25, 2013, before further flight, 
make all necessary corrective actions following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH Dornier 228 Service 
Bulletin No. SB-228-300, Revision 1, dated April 25, 2013.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0209, dated September 10, 2013, for related information. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0962-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH Dornier 228 Service Bulletin 
No. SB-228-300, Revision 1, dated April 25, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH service information 
identified in this AD, contact RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 
228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, 82231 Wessling, Germany; 
telephone: +49-(0)8153-30-2280; fax: +49-(0)8153-30-3030; Internet: 
http://www.ruag.com/en/Aviation/Aviation_Home.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 10, 2014.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03424 Filed 2-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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