[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7492]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 30, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-21-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 removal of the actuator 
from the fuel-ballast transfer valve, and installation of a locking 
device on the fuel-ballast transfer valve. This proposal is prompted by 
a report that the fuel-ballast transfer valve on certain airplanes must 
be modified to ensure the valve is closed at all times. If the transfer 
valve is open during flight, the fuel supply to the engines may be 
reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent that fuel starvation 
could occur. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent engine flameout.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 23, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-21-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: 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 94-NM-21-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. 94-NM-21-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, with the introduction of integral 
center wing fuel tanks, provisions for a fuel-ballast transfer system 
were incorporated. This fuel-ballast transfer system allows the center 
of gravity to be moved forward by transferring fuel from the main tanks 
into the center wing tank for maintenance purposes. Installation of the 
fuel-ballast transfer system is optional.
    For airplanes that are not equipped with the optional fuel-ballast 
transfer system, the transfer valve must be modified to ensure that the 
valve is closed at all times. If the transfer valve is open during 
flight, the fuel supply to the engines may be reduced during cross-feed 
operation to the extent that fuel starvation could occur. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in engine flameout.
    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-28-029, Revision 1, dated 
November 30, 1993, that describes procedures for removal of the 
actuator from the fuel-ballast transfer valve, and installation of a 
locking device on the fuel-ballast transfer valve. Accomplishment of 
this installation will eliminate the possibility of a fuel-ballast 
transfer valve inadvertently remaining open. The RLD classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Netherlands Airworthiness 
Directive BLA No. 93-160 (A), dated December 15, 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 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 removal of the 
actuator from the fuel-ballast transfer valve, and installation of a 
locking device on the fuel-ballast transfer valve. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,387.50, or $277.50 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 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 94-NM-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 11443, 11446 through 11449 inclusive, and 11456; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. -To prevent reduced fuel flow to the engines during 
crossfeed operations and the possibility of engine flameout, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the actuator from the fuel-ballast transfer valve, part number 
7933141J, and install a locking device on the fuel-ballast transfer 
valve, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF 100-28-029, 
Revision 1, dated November 30, 1993.
    (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: 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 24, 1994.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7492 Filed 3-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U