[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9470]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 20, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-147-AD; Amendment 39-8892; AD 94-09-04]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of the flight control computers (FCC) with new, 
improved FCC's; and removal of certain limitations from the Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM), if necessary. This amendment is prompted by 
reports indicating that, during a level change descent with auto 
throttles engaged and manual flight, airplanes inadvertently have 
approached near minimum speeds. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent inadvertent loss of airspeed during a level change 
descent.

DATES: Effective May 20, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
22-037, dated May 31, 1993, as listed in the regulations, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 2, 1993 
(58 FR 38283, July 16, 1993).
    The incorporation by reference of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
22-029, dated January 6, 1992, as listed in the regulations, is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: 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 
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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2141; fax (206) 227-2145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on November 12, 1993 (58 FR 59970). 
That action proposed to require replacement of the flight control 
computers (FCC) with new, improved FCC's; and removal of two related 
limitations from the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM), if those limitations are currently present in the 
AFM.
    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.
    Another commenter requests that the proposed rule be revised to 
include an additional part-numbered FCC as an acceptable alternative 
component for compliance. This commenter states that it has installed 
an FCC having part number 622-7476-411, in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-22-037, dated May 31, 1993, on its affected 
airplanes. The commenter installed this particular FCC when complying 
with an optional terminating action provided in AD 93-14-02 (58 FR 
38283, July 16, 1993). The FAA has reviewed this data and finds that an 
FCC having part number 622-7476-411 is an acceptable alternative to 
that called out in the proposal. The FAA has revised the final rule to 
indicate this.
    This same commenter requests that the proposed rule be revised to 
include the words ``or subsequent'' for the part number, so that future 
designs of the FCC would be permitted to be installed as alternatives 
to the specific part numbered component called out in the AD. The FAA 
does not concur, since there would be no way to establish that the 
inclusion of these words would prevent the installation of incompatible 
components. For example, the ``Material Information'' portion of the 
Fokker service bulletins cited in the AD indicates that only specific 
equipment combinations are compatible (implying that similar part 
numbers in the component series that are not listed may not be 
compatible). For this reason, the FAA considers it inappropriate to 
permit the indiscriminate installation of any future FCC designs. A 
Note has been added to the final rule to make operators aware of the 
equipment combination limitations described in the service bulletins.
    This same commenter requests that the proposed rule not require 
accomplishment of the actions specifically in accordance with the cited 
service bulletins; the service bulletins should be for reference only. 
Although the commenter does not specify a particular reason for this 
request, the FAA infers that (1) the commenter would like to install 
improved or modified equipment versions of the same basic part number 
series that may or may not be called out in the service bulletins; or 
(2) the commenter would prefer that the rule permit installation of the 
FCC in accordance with an operator's own methods. The FAA does not 
concur. As for the first inference, the FAA has addressed this in the 
previous paragraph. As for the second inference, the FAA points out 
that the referenced service bulletins contain specific wiring 
procedures necessary for installation of the FCC and contain equipment 
configuration limitations; the FAA has determined that these procedures 
must be followed in order to ensure proper installation and operation. 
Paragraph (d) of the final rule does provide for the use of alternative 
methods of compliance with this rule, provided that data is submitted 
to the FAA to justify the use of such a method.
    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 previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 16 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $460 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $52,260, or $1,340 per airplane.
    The total 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.
    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 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:

94-09-04 Fokker: Amendment 39-8892. Docket 93-NM-147-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 11244 through 11364, inclusive, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent loss of airspeed during a level change 
descent, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
any flight control computer (FCC) having part number (P/N) 622-7476-
321, P/N 622-7476-331, or P/N 622-7476-401, with either of the 
following improved FCC's:
    (1) P/N 622-7476-402, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-22-029, dated January 6, 1992; or
    (2) P/N 622-7476-411, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-22-037, dated May 31, 1993.

    Note 1: Each service bulletin referenced in this paragraph lists 
equipment configurations under paragraph 1.C. (``Description'') and 
paragraph 3. (``Material Information'') that must be adhered to in 
order to ensure proper operation of the FCC's.

    (b) Prior to further flight after accomplishment of paragraph 
(a) of this AD, the following limitations, if present, must be 
removed from the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM), section 2.08.01.

``Flight Director

Manual Flight With Flight Director ON

    For accurate speed control and adequate speed protection the FD 
pitch commands must be followed when flying manually.
    In case the FD commands are not followed, switch both FD's to 
FPV or OFF.

Non-precision Approach

    Do not use LVLCH descent mode below 2000 ft. AGL.
    With PROF engaged, do not lower the FMP altitude below the 
initial approach or missed approach altitude.''
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any FCC having P/N 622-7476-321, P/N 622-7476-331, or P/N 622-7476-
401 on any airplane.
    (d) 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The installation shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-22-029, dated January 6, 1992; or Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-22-037, dated May 31, 1993. The 
incorporation by reference of the first service bulletin listed was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The incorporation by reference of 
the latter service bulletin was approved previously by the Director 
of the Federal Register as of August 2, 1993 (58 FR 38283, July 16, 
1993). 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-9470 Filed 4-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U