[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58584-58586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29012]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-70-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and Model F28
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 F27 Mark 050
and Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require
an inspection to verify that adequate clearance exists between the
insulation screen and the two adjacent terminal bolts, and replacement
of the circuit breaker terminal bolts with new bolts, if necessary.
This proposal is prompted by a report that circuit breaker terminal
bolts that were too long were discovered installed in the circuit
breaker panels. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended
to prevent damage to the insulation screen between adjacent rows of
circuit breakers, as the result of a circuit breaker terminal bolt
being too long; this condition could lead to electrical arcing and loss
of the associated electrical system, which could result in the
potential for an electrical fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport
[[Page 58585]]
Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-70-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 Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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 (206)
227-2141; fax (206) 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 95-NM-70-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. 95-NM-70-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness
authority for the Netherlands, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and Model F28
Mark 0100 series airplanes. The RLD advises that, during production of
Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes, circuit breaker terminal
bolts that were too long were installed in the circuit breaker panels.
Investigation revealed that a design change introduced new circuit
breaker terminal bolts having hexagonal heads that were too long. These
new circuit breaker terminal bolts can cause damage to the insulation
screen between adjacent rows of circuit breakers, which could result in
electrical arcing; this condition could lead to the loss of the
associated electrical system and could result in the potential for an
electrical fire.
The RLD advises that this unsafe condition also exists on certain
Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-20-001, dated January 15,
1994 (for Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes), and Service Bulletin
SBF50-20-003, dated January 11, 1994 (for Model F27 Mark 050 series
airplanes). These service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time
inspection to verify that adequate clearance exists between the
insulation screen and the two adjacent terminal bolts, and replacement
of the circuit breaker terminal bolts with new bolts, if necessary. The
RLD classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Dutch
airworthiness directive 94-029 (A), dated February 21, 1994, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
Netherlands.
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.
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 a one-time
inspection to verify that adequate clearance exists between the
insulation screen and the two adjacent terminal bolts, and replacement
of the circuit breaker terminal bolts with new bolts, if necessary. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletins described previously.
The FAA estimates that 44 Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed
inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S.
operators of Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes is estimated to be
$2,640, or $60 per airplane.
Should an operator of Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes be
required to accomplish the necessary bolt replacement, it would take
approximately 7 work hours per airplane to accomplish the replacement,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of any necessary replacement action is estimated to be $520 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.
Currently there are no Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes
on the U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported
and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the impact of the proposed inspection on operators of
Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes would be $60 per airplane.
Should an operator of Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes be
required to accomplish the necessary bolt replacement, it would take
approximately 17 work hours per airplane to accomplish the replacement,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $150 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of any necessary replacement action is estimated to be $1,170
per airplane.
[[Page 58586]]
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 95-NM-70-AD.
Applicability: Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes having serial
numbers 20247 through 20292 inclusive, and 20294 through 20297
inclusive; and Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes having serial
numbers 11390 through 11479 inclusive; 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. To prevent electrical arcing and subsequent loss of the
associated electrical system, which could result in the potential
for an electrical fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform an inspection to verify if adequate clearance exists between
the insulation screen and the two adjacent terminal bolts in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-20-001, dated January
15, 1994 (for Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes), or Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF50-20-003, dated January 11, 1994 (for Model F27
Mark 050 series airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If adequate clearance is found, no further action is
required by this AD.
(2) If inadequate clearance is found, prior to further flight,
replace the circuit breaker terminal bolts with new bolts in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-29012 Filed 11-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
