[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64656-64657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31176]
[[Page 64656]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-279-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark
0070 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the
power supply system of the horizontal stabilizer control unit. 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 prevent the loss of
primary hydraulic stabilizer control during use of certain emergency
procedures, which could result in the inability of the flight crew to
control the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-279-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 Services 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; 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 98-NM-279-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-279-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 F.28 Mark 0070 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that the existing design of certain
horizontal stabilizer control units (HSCU) will result in the HSCU
being inoperative if both the No. 1 and No. 2 direct current (DC) buses
are de-energized, either as a result of malfunction or if certain
emergency procedures are used by the flight crew. If the HSCU is
inoperative, only alternate stabilizer control is available, and the
flight crew must operate the ``ALT STAB'' switch for pitch trim
control. A recent assessment has resulted in a determination that use
of alternate stabilizer control alone may not be sufficient for pitch
control during certain emergency procedures. Such loss of the primary
hydraulic stabilizer control during use of certain emergency
procedures, if not corrected, could result in the inability of the
flight crew to control the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-27-071, dated December
21, 1996, which describes procedures for modification of the power
supply system of the HSCU. The modification involves removal of the
circuit breaker, placard, and associated wiring; and installation of a
new circuit breaker, placard, and associated wiring. 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 Dutch airworthiness directive
BLA 1996-158 (A), dated December 31, 1996, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in The Netherlands.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is 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 2 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $350 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $1,180, or $590 per airplane.
[[Page 64657]]
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 Services B.V.: Docket 98-NM-279-AD.
Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0070 series airplanes, as listed
in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-071, dated December 21, 1996;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 prevent the loss of primary hydraulic stabilizer control
during use of certain emergency procedures, which could result in
the inability of the flight crew to control the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the power supply system of the horizontal stabilizer control unit in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-071, dated
December 21, 1996.
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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 Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA 1996-158 (A), dated December 31, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31176 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
