[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53976-53977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27580]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-245-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark
0100 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070
and Mark 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement
of the operating handles of the overwing emergency exits with improved
handles that have self-illumination. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to ensure that the operating handles of the overwing
emergency exits are clearly visible during an emergency evacuation.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 28, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-245-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Fokker Service B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O.
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-245-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-245-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100
series airplanes. The RLD advises that the operating handles of the
overwing emergency exits installed on Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and
Mark 0100 series airplanes equipped with the new ``Jetline'' interior
do not meet the illumination requirements of section 25.811(e) of the
Federal Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 25.811(e)]. Section 25.811(e)
requires the handles to be either conspicuously located and well
illuminated, or self-illuminated with an initial brightness of at least
160 microlamberts. The operating handles of the overwing emergency
exits installed on these airplanes do not have adequate illumination,
and, therefore, the handles may not be clearly visible in emergency
conditions. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced
ability to evacuate the airplane during an emergency.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-52-060, dated October 10,
1995, which describes procedures for replacement of the operating
handles of the overwing emergency exits with improved operating handles
that have self-illumination. Accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory
and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive BLA 1995-104(A), dated
October 31, 1995, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the Netherlands.
[[Page 53977]]
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RLD has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of the RLD, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 127 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series
airplanes and 4 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 series airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $23,580, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 97-NM-245-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100 series
airplanes, as listed in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-060, dated
October 10, 1995; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure that the operating handles of the overwing emergency
exits are clearly visible during an emergency evacuation, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove
the operating handle assemblies of the overwing emergency exits,
having part number (P/N) D32965-403, and install new self-
illuminating handle assemblies, having P/N D32965-407, in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-060, dated October 10, 1995.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Netherlands
airworthiness directive BLA 1995-104 (A), dated October 31, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27580 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
