[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5852]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-229-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Series Airplanes
(Excluding Mark 050 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 F27 series
airplanes. This proposal would require accomplishment of certain
structural modifications. This proposal is prompted by reports of
incidents involving fatigue cracking and corrosion in transport
category airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their economic
design goal. These incidents have jeopardized the airworthiness of the
affected airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent degradation in the structural capabilities of the
affected airplanes. This action also reflects the FAA's decision that
long term continued operational safety should be assured by actual
modification of the airframe rather than repetitive inspections.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 9, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-229-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2145; 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 93-NM-229-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. 93-NM-229-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
In April 1988, a transport category airplane managed to land after
tiny cracks in rivet holes in the upper fuselage linked together,
causing structural failure and explosive decompression. An 18-foot
section ripped from the fuselage. This accident focused greater
attention on the problem of aging aircraft.
In June 1988, the FAA sponsored a conference on aging airplane
issues, which was attended by representatives of the aviation industry
from around the world. It became obvious that, because of the
tremendous increase in air travel, the relatively slow pace of new
airplane production, and the apparent economic feasibility of operating
older technology airplanes rather than retiring them, increased
attention needed to be focused on this aging fleet and maintaining its
continued operational safety.
The FAA, in concert with the Regional Airline Association (RAA);
the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); several U.S. and
non-U.S. operators of the affected airplanes; the Rijksluchtvaartdienst
(RLD), which is the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands; and
Fokker; has agreed to undertake the task of identifying and
implementing procedures to ensure continuing structural airworthiness
of aging commuter-class airplanes. This group reviewed selected service
bulletins, applicable to Fokker Model F27 series airplanes, to be
recommended for mandatory rulemaking action to ensure the continued
operational safety of these airplanes.
This group's proposal is contained in Fokker Report Number SE-278,
``F27 Aging Aircraft Project-Final Document,'' Issue 3, dated February
1, 1993. This Report references modifications from eight service
bulletins and recommends that they be incorporated in the applicable
Fokker Model F27 series airplanes. The modifications consist of three
modifications to the fuselage, two modifications to the wing, and three
modifications to the empennage of the airplane. They include structural
reinforcement of frames, ribs, and stringers; replacement of formers
and ribs; and installation of inspection doors and covers, access
holes, and drain holes.
The procedures described in these service bulletins are intended to
positively address conditions identified in Model F27 series airplanes
that, if not corrected, could result in structural failure.
The RLD classified this Report as mandatory and issued Netherlands
Airworthiness Directive (BLA) 91-058/5 (A), dated July 16, 1993, 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
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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.
Since fatigue cracking and corrosion are likely to exist or develop
on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United
States, the proposed AD would require modification of Fokker Model F27
series airplanes prior to their economic design goal in accordance with
the Fokker Report described previously.
The economic design goal of an airplane is typically considered to
be the period of service after which a substantial increase in the
maintenance costs is expected to take place in order to assure
continued operational safety. The economic design goal for Fokker Model
F27 series airplanes is 90,000 landings for structural problems
associated with fatigue damage.
The proposed compliance time for implementation of the mandatory
structural modification program is prior to reaching the applicable
economic design goal. This time interval was determined based upon the
ability of the manufacturer to provide the parts necessary for the
modification, and the time necessary to incorporate the modifications.
In the interim, safety will be provided by various means currently
in place that are considered satisfactory to detect damage prior to the
occurrence of an unsafe condition. These include operators' on-going
basic maintenance programs; continuing inspections required by numerous
previously issued AD's; the Structural Integrity Program (SIP) program,
previously mandated by AD 92-19-07, Amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 42693,
September 16, 1992); the FAA's increased emphasis on surveillance of
operators' maintenance programs and procedures; and the FAA's
participation in programs to physically inspect high-time airplanes
during scheduled heavy maintenance.
The FAA estimates that 58 Fokker Model F27 series airplanes
(excluding Mark 050 series airplanes) of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD within the initial threshold. Since not
all affected airplanes would be required to accomplish every
modification referenced in each of the service bulletins, the cost
impact of the proposed modifications is estimated in the following
table. This cost includes the price of modification kits, and the
estimated labor rate is $55 per work hour. It does not include the cost
of downtime, planning, set up, familiarization, or tool acquisition.
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No. of Total cost for
Service Bulletin No. affected No. of work Cost of parts Cost per affected
airplanes hours per airplane airplane airplanes
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55-33 (B-77).................... 5 40 $314 $2,514.00 $12,570.00
55-12 (B-67).................... 5 20 121 1,221.00 6,105.00
55-12 (Part II)................. 5 30 168 1,818.00 9,090.00
55-61 Revision 2................ 13 45 2,235 4,710.00 61,230.00
57-68 Revision 1................ 58 556 1,279 31,859.00 1,847,822.00
53-19 (B-45) Issue 3............ 5 22 0 1,210.00 6,050.00
53-58 (B-149)................... 5 16 0 880.00 4,400.00
53-76 (B-211)................... 13 0.25 0 13.75 178.75
57-7 Issue 1.................... 5 32 400 2,160.00 10,800.00
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Based on these figures, above, the total cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,958,245.75.
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 FAA recognizes that the proposed modifications would require a
large number of work hours to accomplish. However, the threshold
specified in each of the service bulletins referenced by the Fokker
Report should allow ample time for the accomplishment of the
modifications coincidentally with scheduled major airplane inspection
and maintenance activities, thereby minimizing the costs associated
with special airplane scheduling.
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 14
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 93-NM-229-AD.
Applicability: Model F27 series airplanes (excluding Mark 050
series airplanes), as listed in Fokker Report Number SE-278, ``F27
Aging Aircraft Project--Final Document,'' Issue 3, dated February 1,
1993; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent structural failure, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in
Part II of Fokker Report Number SE-278, ``F27 Aging Aircraft
Project--Final Document,'' Issue 3, dated February 1, 1993,
accomplish the structural modifications listed in Part II of the
Fokker Report.
Note 1: The modifications required by this paragraph do not
terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD
specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action
for that inspection requirement.
(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
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 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 March 8, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5852 Filed 3-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U