[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43610-43612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21654]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-287-AD; Amendment 39-10710; AD 98-17-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000,
3000, and 4000 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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000
series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect any
discrepancy in the sealwire of the fireguards of the engine fire shut-
off system, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent inadvertent closure of the fire shut-off valves due
to ineffective or absent sealwires, which could result in in-flight
engine shutdown.
DATES: Effective September 18, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 18, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O.
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
[[Page 43611]]
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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000,
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on December 1, 1997 (62 FR 63473). That action proposed to
require repetitive inspections to detect any discrepancy in the
sealwire of the fireguards of the engine fire shut-off system, and
repair, if necessary.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
Request for Clarification of Required Actions
One commenter requests clarification as to whether the intent of
the proposed AD is to require a check of the switch rigging even if the
sealwire is found to be in place, or whether verification of the
existence of the sealwire is sufficient for compliance with the AD. The
commenter suggests that if only the latter action is required, the
proposed AD could be clarified in this regard by specifying
accomplishment of the inspection in paragraph (a) of the AD in
accordance with Part I only of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/76-20, dated
January 1, 1979. The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to
clarify the actions required by the AD. The intent of the AD is to
require the inspections in accordance with Part I only of the
referenced service bulletin. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been
revised accordingly.
Request for Revision of Compliance Intervals
One commenter states that accomplishment of the inspections at
compliance intervals of 3,000 flight hours is not effective, since
3,000 flight hours for this operator is approximately 18 months. The
commenter suggests that selection of an appropriate inspection interval
should be left to each operator, to be justified with its Principal
Maintenance Inspector in accordance with its maintenance program. The
commenter further suggests that the proposed AD could instead require
the inspection to be performed at a regularly scheduled maintenance
interval, such as an ``A'' check.
The FAA does not concur. The FAA normally selects compliance times
to coincide with operators' normal maintenance schedules, whenever the
unsafe condition is not so urgent that a shorter compliance time is
necessary. However, the FAA does not consider it appropriate to base
compliance times on indefinite or nonspecific intervals such as ``at
the next A check.'' Since maintenance schedules vary from operator to
operator, there can be no assurance that the action would be
accomplished within the timeframe for safe operation of the aircraft.
In developing an appropriate compliance interval for the
inspections required by this AD, the FAA considered the safety
implications and operators' normal maintenance schedules for
accomplishment of the repetitive inspections of the fireguard sealwire.
In consideration of these factors, the FAA finds that the compliance
time, as proposed, represents an appropriate and definitive interval in
which the required inspections can be accomplished within the fleet and
still maintain an adequate level of safety.
Conclusion
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 described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 49 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,940, or $60
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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.
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:
98-17-08 Fokker Aircraft B.V.: Amendment 39-10710. Docket 97-NM-
287-AD.
Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 1000, F.28 Mark 2000, F.28 Mark
3000, and F.28 Mark 4000 series airplanes; 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 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.
[[Page 43612]]
To prevent inadvertent closure of the fire shut-off valves due
to ineffective or absent sealwires, which could result in in-flight
engine shutdown, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the engine fire shut-off system to detect any
discrepancy in the sealwire of the fireguards, in accordance with
Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin
F28/76-20, dated January 1, 1979. If any discrepancy is detected,
prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with the service
bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to
exceed 3,000 flight hours.
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their request
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service
Bulletin F28/76-20, dated January 1, 1979. 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 Services B.V., Technical Support Department,
P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA No. 1979-007/2 (A), dated February 28,
1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 18, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21654 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
