[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66317-66319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32996]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-290-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark
1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This proposal would
require replacement of certain hinges on the forward, center, and aft
cargo doors with improved hinges. 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 failure of the cargo door hinges caused by stress
corrosion or fatigue cracks, which could result in decompression of the
airplane, and possible in-flight separation of the cargo door.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-290-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-290-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-290-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 1000, 2000, 3000,
and 4000 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it has received reports
of fracturing of the cargo door hinges due to stress corrosion.
Approximately one-half of the lugs of the fuselage-mounted hinge were
cracked on one airplane. In addition, the RLD received one report of
fatigue cracks in the cargo door hinge on a test article. These
conditions, if not corrected, could result in failure of the cargo door
hinges, which could result in decompression of the airplane, and
possible in-flight separation of the cargo door.
[[Page 66318]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin F28/52-110, dated April 7, 1993,
which describes procedures for replacement of the hinges on the
forward, center, and aft cargo doors with improved hinges made of a
material that is less sensitive to stress corrosion. Accomplishment of
the replacement is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued Dutch airworthiness directive 93-055 (A), dated April 23, 1993,
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
the Netherlands.
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 Sec. 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,
except as described below.
Differences Between the Proposal and the Related Service Bulletin
Operators should note that this AD proposes to require replacement
of the hinges on the forward, center, and aft cargo doors within 12
months. The Fokker service bulletin described previously recommends
that the replacement be accomplished within four years from the date of
issuance of the service bulletin. However, the FAA has determined that,
due to the safety implications and consequences associated with such
cracking, a shorter compliance time of 12 months is necessary.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 37 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 62 work hours per airplane to replace
the forward cargo door hinge, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,740 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this replacement proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $350,020, or $9,460 per
airplane.
It would take approximately 62 work hours per airplane to replace
the center cargo door hinge, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,650 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this replacement proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $346,690, or $9,370 per
airplane.
It would take approximately 46 work hours per airplane to replace
the aft cargo door hinge, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $6,470 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this replacement proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $341,510, or $9,230 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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-290-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series
airplanes; serial numbers 11003 through 11241 inclusive, 11991, and
11992; 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 prevent failure of the cargo door hinges caused by stress
corrosion and/or fatigue cracks, which could result in decompression
of the airplane, and possible in-flight separation of the cargo
door; accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the hinges on the forward, center, and aft belly cargo doors
with improved hinges in accordance with Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3,
as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service
Bulletin F28/52-110, dated April 7, 1993.
(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,
[[Page 66319]]
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
Secs. 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 93-055 (A), dated April 23, 1993.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 1997.
Gilbert L. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32996 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
