[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51066-51068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24888]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-70-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 a one-time inspection to
verify the correct routing and tension of the flight control lock
cables and the elevator control cables, and rerouting or adjustment of
the tension of these cables, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by
a report indicating that an inspection for routing and tension of the
flight control lock cables and elevator control cables may not have
been accomplished during modification of the airplanes at the factory.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
incorrect routing and tension of the flight lock control cables and the
elevator control cables, which could result in inadvertent
disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-70-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) 227-1149.
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
[[Page 51067]]
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 96-NM-70-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. 96-NM-70-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 an inspection of the flight control
lock cables and elevator control cables may have been inadvertently
omitted on certain Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes during a
modification of the horizontal stabilizer structure at the
manufacturer's production facility. During accomplishment of this
modification, the elevator control lock cables and flight control
cables are disconnected and, later, are supposed to be reconnected. Two
separate inspections are then required to verify proper routing and
tension of those cables. However, investigation of aircraft records
revealed that, for certain airplanes, the second required inspection
may not have been accomplished. Therefore, the routing and tension of
the affected cables may not have been accomplished properly.
Incorrect routing and incorrect tension of the flight lock control
cables and the elevator control cables, if not corrected, could result
in inadvertent disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane during flight.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-27-064, dated September
15, 1994, which describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection
to verify the correct routing and tension of the flight control lock
cables and the elevator control cables, and rerouting of these cables
or adjustment, if necessary. The RLD classified this service bulletin
as mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive (BLA) 94-
133(A), dated September 30, 1994, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
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 21.29) 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.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 a one-time visual
inspection to verify the routing of the flight lock control cables and
to verify the tension of the left and right elevator control cables,
and rerouting of cables or adjustment, if necessary. The actions would
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 5 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $2,400, or $480 per airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13--[Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 96-NM-70-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes having
serial numbers 11323 through 11326 inclusive, 11423, 11429, 11431,
11441, 11444, and 11445; 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.
[[Page 51068]]
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent incorrect routing and incorrect tension of the flight
control lock cables and elevator control cables, which could result
in inadvertent disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane; accomplish the following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time visual inspection to verify the correct routing and
correct tension of the flight control lock cables and elevator
control cables, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
27-064, dated September 15, 1994.
(1) If the routing and tension of the flight control lock cables
and elevator control cables are correct, as specified in the service
bulletin, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the routing and/or tension of the flight control lock
cables or the elevator control cables is not correct, as specified
in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, reroute and/or
adjust the tension of those cables, as necessary, in accordance with
the service bulletin.
(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 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. Issued in Renton,
Washington, on September 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-24888 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
