DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00134-T;
Amendment 39-22858; AD 2024-19-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type
Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft
Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH)
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins
Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. This AD requires a one-
time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable
corrective actions, and limits the installation of affected parts, as
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which
is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 26, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1889.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 206-231-3228; email todd.thompson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Deutsche Aircraft
GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on July 17, 2024 (89 FR 58089). The NPRM was prompted
by AD 2024-0051, dated February 23, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD
2024-0051) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states there have
been reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6
Commuter Class passenger seat. The eyebolt is the connection between
the reclining mechanism and the seat structure and connects the seat
belt to the seat structure. Broken attachment eyebolts, if not detected
and corrected, could prevent the correct operation of the safety belts,
possibly resulting in injuries to seat occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed
inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions,
and to limit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA
AD 2024-0051. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1889.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The
FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires
adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor
editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of
the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0051 specifies a one-time detailed inspection of
affected eyebolt and spreader for correct installation and
discrepancies (i.e., cracks, traces of aluminum flakes or remainders of
ripped-out threads in the tip threads, and damaged thread runs), and
applicable corrective actions (obtaining and following repair
instructions and replacing the affected parts). EASA AD 2024-0051 also
specifies an affected part may be installed provided, before
installation, that part passed an inspection (no damage detected).
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 ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates this AD affects 30 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
LABOR COST
|
PARTS COST
|
COST PER PRODUCT
|
COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
|
12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020. |
$0
|
$1,020
|
$30,600
|
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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 action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
LABOR COST
|
PARTS COST
|
COST PER PRODUCT
|
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.
|
$1,126
|
$1,211
|
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition 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.
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.
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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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