[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71782-71785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28067]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0674; Product Identifier 2019-NM-079-AD; Amendment 
39-21003; AD 2019-24-14]
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).

[[Page 71783]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain 328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report of missing rivets on landing flap support arm 2. 
This AD requires an inspection of the landing flap support arms for 
missing rivets and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 3, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
phone: +49 221 89990 1000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet: 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material 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 in the AD docket on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0674.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0674; 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 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; phone and fax: 206-231-3228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0096, dated April 30, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0096'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain 328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 
airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain 328 Support 
Services GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on September 9, 2019 (84 FR 47173). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report of missing rivets on landing flap support arm 2. 
The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the landing flap support 
arms for missing rivets and corrective actions if necessary.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing rivets, which could 
lead to the loss of one of two load paths, reducing the fatigue life of 
the affected flap arms and leading to fatigue cracking of the support 
arms of the flaps, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

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

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has 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.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0096 describes procedures for an inspection of the 
landing flap support arms for missing rivets, which includes a special 
detailed inspection (eddy current) of the landing flap support 2 arm 
along the edges and around the rivets for cracks, and corrective 
actions. Corrective actions include installing rivets and repairing 
cracks. This material 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 22 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510...........................              $0             $510          $11,220
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition installation that would be required based on the results of 
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition installation:

              Estimated Costs of On-Condition Installation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340....             $27             $367
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 71784]]

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA 
to provide cost estimates for the on-condition crack repairs 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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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):

2019-24-14 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate previously 
held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier 
Luftfahrt GmbH): Amendment 39-21003; Docket No. FAA-2019-0674; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-079-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 3032 through 
3063 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of missing rivets on landing 
flap support arm 2. The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing 
rivets, which could lead to the loss of one of two load paths, 
reducing the fatigue life of the affected flap arms and leading to 
fatigue cracking of the support arms of the flaps, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0096, dated April 30, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0096'').

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0096

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0096 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0096 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Corrective Action for Cracking

    If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0096: Before further flight, repair 
using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, 
Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the 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.

(j) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0096 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(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) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or 328 Support 
Services GmbH's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and 
fax: 206-231-3228.

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0096, 
dated April 30, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0096, contact the EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 89990 
6017; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu;

[[Page 71785]]

internet: www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA 
website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material 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. This 
material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0674.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on December 9, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-28067 Filed 12-27-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


