[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23221]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 21, 1994]


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14 CFR Part 39 
[Docket No. 94-NM-38-AD; Amendment 39-9025; AD 94-19-03] 
 

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series 
Airplanes 
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of the autopilot disconnect switches with modified 
units. This amendment is prompted by several incidents in which the 
flight crew did not depress both halves of the autopilot disconnect 
switch during the LAND 2 or LAND 3 approach and, as a result, one 
autopilot remained engaged. This condition resulted in unanticipated 
movements of the stabilizer trim and higher than anticipated control 
forces of the flight controls. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the flight crew from inadvertently disconnecting 
only one autopilot when both autopilots are engaged, which could result 
in unanticipated control surface movements.

DATES: Effective October 21, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 21, 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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 May 11, 1994 
(59 FR 24383). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
autopilot disconnect switches with modified units.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.
    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 as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 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 
$2,500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,860, or $2,940 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 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. 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:

94-19-03 Fokker: Amendment 39-9025. Docket 94-NM-38-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; serial 
numbers 11244 through 11286 inclusive, 11289 through 11293 
inclusive, 11295 through 11297 inclusive, 11300, 11303, 11306, 
11308, 11310, 11312, and 11313; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the flight crew from inadvertently disconnecting only 
one autopilot when both autopilots are engaged, which could result 
in unanticipated control surface movements, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the autopilot disconnect switches with modified units, in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-22-020, dated September 25, 
1990.
    (b) As of 6 months after the effective date of this AD, no 
person shall install an autopilot disconnect switch, part number 
A47007-401 or A47007-403, on any airplane.
    (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 
Secs. 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-22-020, dated September 25, 1990. 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 October 21, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1994.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-23221 Filed 9-20-94; 8:45 am]
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