[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35942-35944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17219]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-9692; AD 96-14-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. This
action requires modification of the radio altimeter wiring circuitry
associated with the Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System
(AFCAS). This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the
AFCAS does not properly monitor the radio altimeter status during
automatic landing operations. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS to
properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during automatic landing
operations if a single radio altimeter were to fail.
DATES: July 24, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 24, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 9, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-132-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
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 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.
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: 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 has received a report
indicating that the Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System
(AFCAS) on these airplanes does not properly monitor the radio
altimeter status during automatic landing (``LAND 2'') operations. As a
result, an airplane may perform a ``LAND 2'' operation with only one
radio altimeter that is operative. If the remaining altimeter were to
fail or to lose track during the ``LAND 2'' operation, the ALIGN,
FLARE, and/or RETARD modes will not be performed, even though the
annunciations for these modes would still be indicated on the
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). In this case, the flight
crew may accept the EFIS annunciation that these maneuvers (modes) are
being executed when, in fact, those maneuvers are not taking place.
This condition could result in the flight crew not being aware that the
AFCAS has not properly aligned, flared, and retarded the airplane
during automatic landing operations.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2, dated
November 27, 1990, which describes procedures for a modification of the
radio altimeter wiring circuitry associated with the AFCAS data-control
jumper. This wiring change will allow the radio altimeters to remove
the data from AFCAS data bus whenever a failure is detected. As a
result, ``LAND 2'' operation is no longer possible with only one radio
altimeter operative. The RLD classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive (BLA) 90-023,
Issue 2, dated May 23, 1990, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
[[Page 35943]]
FAA's Conclusions
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 21.19) 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 the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS
to properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during automatic
landing operations when a single radio altimeter fails. This AD
requires modification of the radio altimeter wiring circuitry
associated with the AFCAS data-control jumper. The actions are required
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
None of the Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes affected by this
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 4.6 work hours
to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60
per work hour. The cost of required parts would be negligible. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $276 per airplane.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
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 under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-132-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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:
96-14-08 Fokker: Amendment 39-9692. Docket 96-NM-132-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; serial
numbers 11244 through 11256 inclusive, 11259, 11260, and 11268
through 11273 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
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 erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS to
properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during autoland
operations when a single radio altimeter fails, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the radio altimeter wiring circuitry (AFCAS data-control jumper) in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2,
dated November 27, 1990.
[[Page 35944]]
(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 or
Avionics 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.
(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 modification shall be done in accordance with Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2, dated November 27, 1990,
which contains the following list of effective pages:
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Revision
Page number level shown Date shown on page
on page
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1, 5-.............................. 2- November 27, 1990
2-4, 6-9-.......................... 1- May 16, 1990
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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 July 24,1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 1, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17219 Filed 7-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
