[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48524-48527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20357]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0503; Product Identifier 2018-NM-048-AD; Amendment 
39-19413; AD 2018-19-13]
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), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 328 
Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports indicating corrosion on the horizontal stabilizer 
bearing supports at the contact surface to the horizontal stabilizer 
rear spar. This AD requires inspections for corrosion and any other 
damage (i.e., cracking and chafing) of the horizontal stabilizer rear 
bearing supports, replacement of the affected horizontal stabilizer 
rear bearing supports if necessary, and modification of the horizontal 
stabilizer rear spar. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 31, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0503.

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-2018-
0503; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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 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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all 328 Support Services 
GmbH Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 7, 2018 (83 FR 26389). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports indicating corrosion on the horizontal stabilizer bearing 
supports at the contact surface to the horizontal stabilizer rear spar. 
The NPRM proposed to require inspections for corrosion and any other 
damage (i.e., cracking and chafing) of the horizontal stabilizer rear 
bearing supports, replacement of the affected horizontal stabilizer 
rear bearing supports if necessary, and modification of the horizontal 
stabilizer rear spar.
    We are issuing this AD to address corrosion on the horizontal 
stabilizer rear bearing supports and rear spar, which could lead to 
failure of the fitting and loss of one load path of the horizontal 
stabilizer attachment, and possibly result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2017-0239, dated November 30, 2017 (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 and -300 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported on horizontal stabilizer bearing 
supports being found corroded at the contact surface to the 
horizontal stabilizer rear spar. The corroded area was at the lower 
flange position, which is connected to the stabilizer rear spar and 
not visible without detachment of the fitting. Investigation 
determined that the corrosion is

[[Page 48525]]

triggered by galvanic effect, due to a direct contact between the 
horizontal stabilizer rear spar, made from CFRP (carbon fibre 
reinforced plastic), and the aluminium rear attachment fitting.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the fitting and loss of one load path of the horizontal 
stabilizer attachment, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, 328 Support Services 
GmbH (328 SSG) issued Service Bulletin (SB) SB-328-55-557 and SB-
328J-55-324 to provide instructions for inspection of the affected 
area, replacement of the parts, and modification to improve 
corrosion behaviour by incorporating of glass fibre layer.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection [detailed visual inspection and an eddy current 
inspection for chafing and corrosion] of the horizontal stabilizer 
rear bearing supports, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of 
applicable corrective action(s) [replacement of the affected 
horizontal stabilizer rear bearing supports]. This [EASA] AD also 
requires a modification of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, 
irrespective of findings.

    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-2018-
0503.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

New Service Information

    We received 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-
557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018; and 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018. We 
referred to 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, 
Revision 1, dated February 1, 2018; and 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 1, dated February 1, 2018; as 
the appropriate sources of service information for the actions 
specified in the proposed AD. Revision 2 of the service information 
corrects spelling errors and adds alternative parts. No additional work 
is needed if the actions specified in the earlier revisions of the 
service information have been done.
    We have revised this AD to refer to 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018; and 328 
Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 2, 
dated May 24, 2018, as the appropriate sources of service information 
for accomplishing the required actions. We have also added 328 Support 
Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 1, dated 
February 1, 2018; and 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-
328J-55-324, Revision 1, dated February 1, 2018, to paragraph (j) of 
this AD in order to give credit for accomplishing actions specified in 
Revision 1 of the service information.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this final rule with the changes 
described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    328 Support Services GmbH has issued Service Bulletin SB-328-55-
557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018; and Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-
324, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for a detailed visual inspection and an eddy current 
inspection for corrosion and any other damage (i.e., cracking and 
chafing) of the horizontal stabilizer rear bearing supports, 
modification of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and replacement of 
the affected horizontal stabilizer rear bearing supports if necessary. 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 27 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed visual inspection and eddy     4 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $340          $9,180
 current inspection.                     hour = $340.
Modification..........................  16 work-hours x $85 per                0           1,360          36,720
                                         hour = $1,360.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement..................................  24 work-hours x $85 per hour =                *           $2,040
                                                $2,040.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide parts cost estimates for the on-condition
  action specified in this 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.

[[Page 48526]]

    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 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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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 that 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2018-19-13 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier 
Luftfahrt GmbH): Amendment 39-19413; Docket No. FAA-2018-0503; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-048-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 31, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all 328 Support Services GmbH (Type 
Certificate previously held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild 
Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 and -300 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the horizontal 
stabilizer bearing supports at the contact surface to the horizontal 
stabilizer rear spar. We are issuing this AD to address corrosion on 
the horizontal stabilizer rear bearing supports and rear spar, which 
could lead to failure of the fitting and loss of one load path of 
the horizontal stabilizer attachment, and possibly result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Modification

    (1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) or 
(g)(3)(ii) of this AD, do a detailed visual inspection and an eddy 
current inspection for corrosion and any other damage (i.e., 
cracking and chafing) of the horizontal stabilizer rear bearing 
supports in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 328 
Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 2, 
dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-100 airplanes); or 328 Support 
Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 2, dated May 
24, 2018 (for Model 328-300 airplanes); as applicable.
    (2) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) or 
(g)(3)(ii) of this AD, modify the horizontal stabilizer rear spar in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 328 Support 
Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 2, dated May 
24, 2018 (for Model 328-100 airplanes); or 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for 
Model 328-300 airplanes); as applicable.
    (3) Do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD at 
the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) or 
(g)(3)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) For Group 1 airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 1005 through 
1031 inclusive, as identified in 328 Support Services GmbH Service 
Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 
328-100 airplanes): Within 1,000 flight cycles or 8 months, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For Group 2 airplanes, S/Ns 1032 through 3224 inclusive, as 
identified in 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-
557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-100 airplanes); 
or 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, 
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-300 airplanes); as 
applicable: Within 5,000 flight hours or 30 months, whichever occurs 
first after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Corrective Action

    If, during the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
corrosion or any other damage (i.e., cracking and chafing) is 
detected, before further flight, replace the affected horizontal 
stabilizer rear bearing supports in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of 328 Support Services GmbH Service 
Bulletin SB-328-55-557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 
328-100 airplanes); or 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin 
SB-328J-55-324, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-300 
airplanes); as applicable.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or 
(i)(2) of this AD, no person may install a horizontal stabilizer 
rear bearing support, part number 001B551A1441000, on any airplane.
    (1) For Group 1 airplanes, S/Ns 1005 through 1031 inclusive, as 
identified in 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-
557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-100 airplanes): 
After replacement of the horizontal stabilizer rear bearing supports 
as specified in paragraph (g)(2) or (h) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes, S/Ns 1032 through 3224 inclusive, as 
identified in 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-
557, Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-100 airplanes); 
or 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, 
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018 (for Model 328-300 airplanes); as 
applicable: As of the effective date of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, dated September 1, 2017; or 328 
Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-

[[Page 48527]]

328-55-557, Revision 1, dated February 1, 2018 (for Model 328-100 
airplanes); or 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-
55-324, dated September 1, 2017; or 328 Support Services GmbH 
Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, Revision 1, dated February 1, 2018 
(for Model 328-300 airplanes).

(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 the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or 328 Support Services GmbH's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (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 2017-0239, dated November 30, 
2017, 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-2018-0503.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3228.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328-55-557, 
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018.
    (ii) 328 Support Services GmbH Service Bulletin SB-328J-55-324, 
Revision 2, dated May 24, 2018.
    (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.
    (4) 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.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on September 7, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20357 Filed 9-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


