[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63473-63474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31331]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-287-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000,
3000, and 4000 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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000,
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This proposal would require
repetitive inspections to detect any discrepancy in the sealwire of the
fireguards of the engine fire shut-off system, and repair, if
necessary. 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 inadvertent closure of the fire shut-off valves due to
ineffective or absent sealwires, which could result in in-flight engine
shutdown.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 31, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-287-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: 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 97-NM-287-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-287-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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and
4000 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it received reports of
inadvertent closure of the fire shut-off valves, which resulted in
engine flameouts during flight. Investigation by the manufacturer
indicated that the sealwires (safety wires) of the engine fireguards
may have been missing, or may not have operated correctly. Inadvertent
closure of the fire shut-off valves due to ineffective or missing
[[Page 63474]]
sealwires could result in in-flight engine shutdown.
Other Related AD
In 1982, the FAA issued AD 82-16-02, amendment 39-4424, applicable
to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series
airplanes, to require a one-time inspection of the sealwires and
microswitches to detect discrepancies, and repair, if necessary.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin F28/76-20, dated January 1,
1979, which describes procedures for repetitive inspections to detect
any discrepancy in the sealwire of the fireguards of the engine fire
shut-off system, and repair, if necessary. The RLD classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive
BLA No. 1979-007/2 (A), dated February 28, 1997, in order to assure the
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
actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 49 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. 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 cost impact of
the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$2,940, or $60 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 Aircraft B.V.: Docket 97-NM-287-AD.
Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 1000, F.28 Mark 2000, F.28 Mark
3000, and F.28 Mark 4000 series airplanes; all serial numbers;
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 inadvertent closure of the fire shut-off valves due
to ineffective or absent sealwires, which could result in in-flight
engine shutdown, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the engine fire shut-off system to detect any
discrepancy in the sealwire of the fireguards, in accordance with
Fokker Service Bulletin F28/76-20, dated January 1, 1979. If any
discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, repair it in
accordance with the service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the
inspection at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours.
(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 request
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 No. 1979-007/2 (A), dated February 28,
1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 1997.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31331 Filed 11-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
