[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16390-16392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7780]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-116-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mk 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 F28 Mk 0100
series airplanes. This proposal would require the installation of
modified Passenger Service Unit (PSU) panel lenses. This proposal would
also require a one-time post-installation inspection to detect
corrosion or deterioration of the PSU connectors, and correction of
discrepancies, and application of sealant. This proposal is prompted by
reports that ``No Smoking'' and ``Fasten Seat Belt'' signs installed in
certain overhead PSU's are not readable from passengers' and flight
attendants' seats. This proposal is also prompted by reports of smoke
in the passenger cabin caused by overheating of the PSU connectors. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that
warning signs are readable to passengers and flight attendants, and to
eliminate a potential fire hazard.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 8, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-116-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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2145; fax (206) 227-1320.
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, [[Page 16391]] 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 94-NM-116-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. 94-NM-116-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 F28 Mk 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that the ``No Smoking'' and ``Fasten Seat
Belt'' signs installed in certain overhead Passenger Service Units
(PSU) on these airplanes may not be readable to each seated passenger
under all probable conditions of cabin illumination. Additionally,
these ``No Smoking'' or ``Fasten Seat Belt'' signs are not visible at
all from the flight attendants' seats in the aft cabin. The ability to
clearly see these signs under all conditions of illumination in the
cabin is necessary in order to ensure that passengers and flight
attendants are notified when smoking is not permitted on an aircraft,
and when seat belts must be fastened. If the ``No Smoking'' signs are
not readable or visible, passengers and flight attendants may not be
aware of situations when smoking on the airplane could present a fire
hazard. If the ``Fasten Seat Belts'' signs are not readable or visible,
passengers and flight attendants may not be aware of situations when it
is necessary that they be properly restrained in their seats to prevent
injury during turbulent or other flight conditions.
Additionally, the RLD advises that there have been two reports of
smoke in the passenger aft compartment coming from a PSU. Investigation
revealed that, in each case, the cause of the smoke was water ingress
(condensation from the air duct) in the electrical connectors of the
PSU. Water ingression in PSU connectors can result in corrosion of the
contacts. Because there is a 115V (alternating) current present, the
temperature inside the connector can rise subsequently and cause the
connector to melt. This condition, if not corrected, can result in
failure of the warning signs at the PSU to illuminate and could pose a
fire hazard.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-25-061, dated March 8,
1994 (as corrected by Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification
SBF100-25-061/02, dated June 20, 1994), which describes procedures for
installing modified PSU panel lenses. (This Fokker service bulletin
refers to Grimes Aerospace Service Bulletins 10-1178-33-0036 and 10-
1178-33-0039, Revision 1, dated October 31, 1993, for additional
installation instructions.) Certain of the modified lenses are
configured so that the readability of the warning signs from the
passengers' seats is improved. Other modified lenses incorporate a
tilted legend (prisma lens) that makes readability possible from the
aft cabin flight attendants' seats. The RLD classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive
BLA 94-078(A), dated May 11, 1994, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
Fokker also has issued Service Bulletin SB100-25-068, dated March
31, 1994, which describes procedures for conducting a one-time
inspection to detect corrosion or deterioration of the PSU connectors,
correction of discrepancies identified, and application of sealant.
Fokker recommends that this inspection be performed after the modified
PSU panel lenses are installed in accordance with Service Bulletin
SBF100-25-061. The RLD has classified this service bulletin as
``Recommended.''
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 the installation of
modified PSU panel lenses. This action would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
061, described previously.
Additionally, this proposed AD would require a one-time post-
installation inspection to detect corrosion or deterioration of the PSU
connectors, correction of discrepancies identified, and application of
sealant. These actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SB100-25-068.
The proposed AD would be applicable only to Model F28 Mk 0100
series airplanes having serial numbers 11244 through 11437, inclusive.
Beginning at serial number 11438, the modified PSU panel lenses were
installed during production.
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 included in this notice to clarify this requirement.
The FAA estimates that 83 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The proposed installation of the modified PSU's would take
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $248 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed installation action on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $30,544, or $368 per airplane.
The proposed one-time inspection of the PSU connectors would take
approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed inspection action on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $24,900, or $300 per airplane.
Based on the figures discussed above, the total cost impact of the
proposed AD is estimated to be $55,444, or $668 per airplane. This
total cost impact figure is [[Page 16392]] 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.
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. 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:
Fokker: Docket 94-NM-116-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mk 0100 series airplanes having serial
numbers 11244 through 11437, inclusive; and equipped with Grimes
Aerospace Passenger Service Units having part number (P/N) 10-1178-(
) through P/N 10-1571-( ), 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 (d) 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 ensure that warning signs are readable to passengers and
flight attendants, and to eliminate a potential fire hazard,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, install
modified Passenger Service Unit (PSU) panel lenses in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-061, dated March 8, 1994 (as
corrected by Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification SBF100-25-
061/02, dated June 20, 1994).
(b) Prior to further flight after accomplishing the installation
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, perform a one-time post-
installation inspection to detect corrosion and/or deterioration of
the PSU connector, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-25-068, dated March 31, 1994. Prior to further flight,
correct any discrepancies detected and apply sealant in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a Grimes Aerospace Passenger Service Unit having
part number (P/N) 10-1178-( ) through P/N 10-1571-( ), inclusive.
(d) 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 Aircraft 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.
(e) 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 March 24, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-7780 Filed 3-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
