[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 32 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8927-8929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3247]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-118-AD; Amendment 39-9142; AD 95-03-05]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that
requires an inspection to detect cracks in the cleats at certain rib
stations of the wing, and replacement of the cracked cleats with new
cleats. This amendment is prompted by a report that, during manufacture
of the wings of these airplanes, cracks were discovered in the cleats
at the left- and right-hand rib station 8200 of the wing due to
improper installation of certain bolts. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to prevent cracking of the cleats, which could result
in reduced structural integrity of the wing.
DATES: Effective March 20, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 20, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained [[Page 8928]] from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North
Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 18,
1994 (59 FR 52481). That action proposed to require a one-time high-
frequency eddy current inspection to detect cracks of the cleats at the
left- and right-hand rib station 8200 of the wing, and replacement of
the cracked cleats with new cleats.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been added to this final rule to clarify this requirement.
The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past
several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In
order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline
industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the
labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per
work hour. The economic impact information, below, has been revised to
reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 55 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $39,600, or
$3,300 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-03-05 Fokker: Amendment 39-9142. Docket 94-NM-118-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; as listed
in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-57-018, dated September 23, 1993;
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) 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 reduced structural integrity of the wing, accomplish
the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles or
within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, perform a one-time high-frequency eddy current
inspection to detect cracks in the cleats at the left- and right-
hand rib station 8200 of the wing, in accordance with Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF100-57-018, dated September 23, 1993. If any cracked
cleat is detected, prior to further flight, replace it with a new
cleat, in accordance with the 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 [[Page 8929]] 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.
(d) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-57-018, dated September 23,
1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199
North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 20, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 3, 1995.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3247 Filed 2-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
