[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27704-27705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12827]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 1995 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 27704]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-38-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 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 Mark 0100
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the return
filter diaphragm assemblies on hydraulic systems 1 and 2 with modified
filter units having new diaphragms. This proposal is prompted by a
report of insufficient running clearance of the brake units due to
overpressure in the hydraulic return system; this condition could lead
to brake overheating. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent overpressure of the hydraulic return system, which
could result in reduced braking performance and/or blown tires due to
brake overheating.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-38-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: 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:
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 95-NM-38-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. 95-NM-38-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 Mark 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that it received a report of insufficient
running clearance of the brake units on a Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100
series airplane due to overpressure in the hydraulic return system.
Results of an investigation revealed that the outlet check valve of a
return filter diaphragm assembly of the hydraulic system was blocked.
The probable cause of this blockage was determined to be incorrect
manufacturing tolerances, which resulted in extrusion of the lower seal
at the inner diameter during installation. The RLD received additional
reports concerning the possibility of a hydraulic lock between the
diaphragm and the check valve of the filter inlet port. This hydraulic
lock could lead to incorrect installation of the filter bowl and
element.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in overpressure of
the hydraulic return system, which may result in reduced braking
performance and/or blown tires due to brake overheating.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-29-025, dated December
31, 1993, which describes procedures for replacement of the return
filter diaphragm assemblies on hydraulic systems 1 and 2 with modified
filter units having new diaphragms. Installation of these modified
units will ensure that the outlet check valve of the return filter
diaphragm assembly is not blocked, and will eliminate the possibility
of a hydraulic lock between the diaphragm and the check valve of the
filter inlet port. The RLD classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive 94-024 (A),
dated January 28, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness
of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
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
[[Page 27705]] 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 replacement of the
return filter diaphragm assemblies on hydraulic systems 1 and 2 with
modified filter units having new diaphragms. The actions would be
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously.
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 long-standing requirement.
The FAA estimates that 119 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided by the parts manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $14,280, or $120 per airplane.
The total 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.
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 95-NM-38-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes equipped
with Aircraft Porous Media Europe (APME) Limited hydraulic return
filter assemblies having part numbers (P/N) QA07236 and QA07237, 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) 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 overpressure in the hydraulic return system, which
could result in reduced braking performance and/or blown tires due
to brake overheating, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the return filters, P/N's QA07236 and QA07237, on hydraulic systems
1 and 2, respectively, with modified return filter units, in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-29-025, dated
December 31, 1993.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a return filter unit, P/N QA07236 or QA07237, on
hydraulic system 1 or 2, respectively, unless that unit has been
modified in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-29-025,
dated December 31, 1993.
(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.
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 19, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12827 Filed 5-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
