[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8211-8213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4669]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-122-AD; Amendment 39-9527; AD 96-05-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that
requires modification of a certain galley; repetitive inspections to
detect damage and to determine the clearance of generator wires in the
auxiliary power unit (APU); and repair or replacement of the damaged
wires. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that, during an
unscheduled removal of a galley from the production line, the
insulation of one of the generator wires of the APU was found damaged
due to inadequate clearance with the adjacent structure. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent such damage, which could
result in a short in the electrical wiring of the APU and, thus, pose a
potential fire hazard.
DATES: Effective April 3, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 3, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained 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) 227-1149.
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 December 9,
1994 (59 FR 236). That action proposed to require modification of a
Nordskog Galley Model 1-871galley. It also proposed to require
repetitive inspections to detect damage and determine the clearance of
generator wires in the auxiliary power unit (APU); and repair or
replacement of the damaged wires.
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 requests that the rule be revised to delete proposed
paragraph (a)(2)(i), which would require operators to conduct
repetitive inspections if the initial inspection shows that no damage
to the feeder cables exists and that the cables adequately clear the
adjacent structure. This commenter, an operator, states that it has
conducted a boroscope inspection of the APU generator cables on all of
its airplanes, and has found nothing anywhere near the cables that
could cause damage to them. This operator notes that its initial
inspection, which was conducted using a flexible boroscope from the
cockpit, provided an excellent view of both the cables and the drain
enclosure. The inspection revealed that there is a clearance between
the wiring and adjacent structure (drain screws) on the order of six
inches.
[[Page 8212]]
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. According to the
Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness authority for
the Netherlands, the clearance between the drain screws and the APU
feeder cable (generator wires) found on airplanes on the production
line was on the order of one inch. This amount of clearance was
considered to be inadequate, such that chafing or damage of the wire
installation could occur. Also, according to the RLD, the reason that
the referenced service bulletin specifies that the inspection be
accomplished with a mirror is because the manufacturer considered that
a mirror would give a better estimate of the clearance than could a
boroscope inspection. However, the FAA, in consultation with the RLD,
recently has concluded that, since the clearance between the drain
screws and the wires has been determined to be on the order of 6 inches
on all affected airplanes that have not already been modified in
accordance with this AD, there is little reason to believe that chafing
would occur. In light of this, the FAA finds that there is no need for
a repetitive inspection of the wires. Therefore, the FAA has revised
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of the final rule to indicate that, if no wires are
found damaged as a result of the inspection and they adequately clear
the adjacent structure (positive clearance), no further inspections are
required.
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 change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this proposed AD, that it will take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $1,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $58,240, or
$1,120 per airplane.
The 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-05-02 Fokker: Amendment 39-9527. Docket 94-NM-122-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; as listed
in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 a short in the electrical wiring of the auxiliary
power unit (APU) and a potential fire hazard, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Modify Nordskog Galley Model 1-871, in accordance with
paragraphs 2.A., 2.B., and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 1993.
(2) Perform an inspection to detect damage of and to determine
the adequacy of clearance of the generator wires, having part
numbers (P/N) AJC0001A, AJ0001B, and AJC0001C, of the auxiliary
power unit (APU), in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
24-029, dated June 28, 1993.
(i) If no wires are found damaged and they adequately clear the
adjacent structure (positive clearance), no further action is
required by this paragraph.
(ii) If no wires are found damaged, but they do not adequately
clear the adjacent structure, repeat the inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours.
(iii) If any wire is found damaged, prior to further flight,
modify the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871 in accordance with paragraph
(b) of this AD, and repair or replace the damaged wire in accordance
with the service bulletin. However, the modification and repair/
replacement actions may be postponed for a maximum of 10 days after
detection of the damage, provided that the APU generator is rendered
inoperative in accordance with the Master Minimum Equipment List
(MMEL), and that modification and repair/replacement actions are
accomplished prior to reactivation of the APU generator.
(b) At the next removal of the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871, or
within 9,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, modify the Nordskog Galley in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029 (reference Nordskog
Engineering Change Order 43589 Attachment), dated June 28, 1993.
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
(c) 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.
[[Page 8213]]
(d) 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.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 1993, including Nordskog
Engineering Change Order 43589 Attachment. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 3, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-4669 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
