2007-11-03: Centre section of fuselage frame 19

2007-11-03 Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-15060; Docket No. FAA-2007-27295; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-013-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 26, 2007. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, Dornier 228-202, and Dornier 228-212 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: During a maintenance inspection, cracks were found on the centre section of fuselage frame 19. The investigation on the root cause is still in progress. Fuselage frame 19 supports the rear side of the main landing gear (MLG). This condition, if not corrected, could cause collapse of frame 19, leading to subsequent collapse of a MLG. Since an unsafe condition hasbeen identified that may exist or develop on other aircraft of this type design, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires a visual inspection of the affected fuselage frame and, if discrepancies are found, reporting the results to the TC holder. This is considered to be an interim action. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all airplanes, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, visually inspect the affected fuselage frame 19 using the instructions in Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006. (2) If any crack is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 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; e-mail: customersupport.dornier228@ruag.com for FAA-approved repair instructions and incorporate the repair on the airplane. Note 1: This is considered interim action. The State of Design and DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH are looking at a possible repetitive inspection program and/or modification program to address this condition for the long-term. In the meantime, the FAA recommends that you incorporate the above inspection into your regular maintenance program. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI requires different compliance times for airplanes operated in different conditions. The FAA is not able to enforce compliance times based on airplane operations since there is no way of determining the amount of operations in different conditions. To ensure the unsafe condition is addressed adequately and timely, we are requiring the inspection for all airplanes at 25 hours TIS. (2) The MCAI allows flight with known cracks provided they do not exceed a certain limit. FAA policy does not allow flight with cracks in primary structure. Since the fuselage is considered primary structure, we are mandating repair before further flight after any crack is found. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Karl Schletzabaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No: 2007- 0028, dated February 5, 2007; and Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Dornier 228 RUAG Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-228-266, dated December 1, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH, Dornier 228 Customer Support, P.O. Box 1253, D-82231 Wessling, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49 8153 302280. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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 .