[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30399]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-122-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 modification of a certain 
galley; repetitive inspections to detect damage and determine the 
clearance of generator wires in the auxiliary power unit (APU); and 
repair or replacement of the damaged wires. This proposal would also 
require an additional modification of a certain galley, which would 
terminate the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposal is 
prompted by reports that, during an unscheduled removal of a certain 
galley from the production line, the insulation of one of the generator 
wires of the APU was found damaged due to inadequate clearance with the 
adjacent structure. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent such damage, which could result in a short in the 
electrical wiring of the APU and, thus, pose a potential fire hazard.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 7, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-122-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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-122-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-122-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, during an unscheduled removal of a 
Nordskog Galley Model No. 1-871 from the production line, the 
insulation of one of the generator wires of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) was found to be damaged. The cause of such damage has been 
attributed to inadequate clearance between the generator wires and 
adjacent structure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a 
short in the electrical wiring of the APU and, thus, pose a potential 
fire hazard.
    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 
1993, which describes procedures for modification of Nordskog Galley 
Model 1-871 to replace a bolt; repetitive inspections to detect damage 
and determine the adequacy of clearance between the generator wires, 
having part numbers (P/N) AJC0001A, AJ0001B, and AJC0001C, of the APU 
and the adjacent structure; and repair or replacement of the damaged 
wires. This service bulletin also contains an attachment (Nordskog 
Engineering Change Order 43589, dated May 20, 1993) that describes 
procedures for modification of the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871. This 
modification involves removing existing screws and ``T'' nuts and 
installing new screws, washers, and nuts inside the cart compartment of 
the rear galley. This modification would eliminate the need for the 
repetitive inspections. The RLD issued Netherlands airworthiness 
directive BLA 93-117 (A), dated September 10, 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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) 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 modification of 
Nordskog Galley Model 1-871 to replace a specific bolt; repetitive 
inspections to detect damage and determine the adequacy of clearance of 
certain generator wires of the APU; and repair or replacement of the 
damaged wires. This proposed AD would also require an additional 
modification of the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871, which, when 
accomplished, would constitute terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this notice to clarify this requirement.
    -The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $1,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$58,240, or $1,120 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 
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:

Fokker: Docket 94-NM-122-AD.

    -Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; as listed 
in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 1993; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    -To prevent a short in the electrical wiring of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) and a potential fire hazard, accomplish the 
following:
    -(a) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    -(1) Modify Nordskog Galley Model 1-871, in accordance with 
paragraphs 2.A., 2.B., and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, dated June 28, 1993.
    -(2) Perform an inspection to detect damage and determine the 
adequacy of clearance of the generator wires, having part numbers 
(P/N) AJC0001A, AJ0001B, and AJC0001C, of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU), in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029, 
dated June 28, 1993.
    -(i) If no wires are found damaged and they adequately clear the 
adjacent structure (positive clearance), repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours.
    -(ii) If no wires are found damaged and they do not adequately 
clear the adjacent structure, repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours.
    -(iii) If any wire is found damaged, prior to further flight, 
modify the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871 in accordance with paragraph 
(b) of this AD, and repair or replace the damaged wire in accordance 
with the service bulletin. However, the modification and repair/
replacement actions may be postponed for a maximum of 10 days after 
detection of the damage, provided that the APU generator is rendered 
inoperative in accordance with the Master Minimum Equipment List 
(MMEL), and that modification and repair/replacement actions are 
accomplished prior to reactivation of the APU generator.
    -(b) At the next removal of the Nordskog Galley Model 1-871, or 
within 9,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, modify the Nordskog Galley in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-029 (reference Nordskog 
Engineering Change Order 43589 Attachment), dated June 28, 1993. 
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
    -(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 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.

    -(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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-30399 Filed 12-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U