[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 117 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13374]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 20, 1994]


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


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-201-AD; Amendment 39-8928; AD 94-12-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of certain bolts that are currently installed in various 
flight critical components of the airplane. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of incidents involving corrosion and fatigue cracking 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 this 
AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of various 
flight critical components of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 20, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 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) 
227-2145; fax (206) 227-1320.

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 F27 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on February 9, 1994 (59 FR 5968). That action proposed 
to require replacement of AN bolts that are currently installed in 
various flight critical components of the airplane with NAS bolts.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 250 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 $690 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $563,160, or $14,440 per airplane.
    The FAA recognizes that the modification requires a large number of 
work hours to accomplish. However, the 3-year compliance time specified 
in paragraph (a) of this AD should allow ample time for the replacement 
of AN bolts to be accomplished coincidentally with scheduled major 
airplane inspection and maintenance activities, thereby minimizing the 
costs associated with special airplane scheduling.
    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:

94-12-01  Fokker: Amendment 39-8928. Docket 93-NM-201-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 series airplanes, having serial numbers 
10102 through 10612, inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of various flight 
critical components of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD, remove 
AN bolts that are currently installed in the flight controls, 
control surfaces, fuel control installations, engine mount and 
nacelle brace installations, and engine control installations, and 
replace them with NAS 1303/1320 bolts, in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin F27/51-10, Revision 2, dated June 12, 1993, as 
amended by Service Bulletin Change Notification F27/51-10REV2/01, 
dated October 1, 1993.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane any AN bolt having a part number that is listed in 
Fokker Service Bulletin F27/51-10, Revision 2, dated June 12, 1993, 
as amended by Service Bulletin Change Notification F27/51-10REV2/01, 
dated October 1, 1993, in any of the flight critical components 
identified in the service bulletin.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The removal and replacement shall be done in accordance with 
Fokker Service Bulletin F27/51-10, Revision 2, dated June 12, 1993, 
as amended by Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification F27/51-
10REV2/01, dated October 1, 1993. Fokker Service Bulletin F27/51-10, 
Revision 2, dated June 12, 1993, contains the following list of 
effective pages: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Revision                        
             Page No.                 level shown    Date shown on page 
                                        on page                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-5-...............................  2-...........  June 12, 1993.      
6, 7...............................  1-...........  Aug. 7, 1991.       
8-15...............................  Original-....  Aug. 16, 1961.      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-13374 Filed 6-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U