[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36078-36080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17158]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-52-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 a visual inspection to
detect damage to the flexible fuel drain line of the auxiliary power
unit (APU), and replacement of the drain line, if necessary. This
proposal also would require installation of two additional clamps to
secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel supply line of the APU.
This proposal is prompted by reports of electrical arcing between the
flexible fuel drain line and the APU starter motor. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such electrical
arcing, which could result in a fire in the APU.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 21, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-52-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) 227-1149.
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 95-NM-52-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. 95-NM-52-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
[[Page 36079]]
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 has advised that it has received reports of
electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain line of the auxiliary
power unit (APU) and the positive terminal of the APU starter motor.
Investigation has revealed that the flexible fuel drain line can move
and contact the positive terminal of the APU starter motor, which may
result in electrical arcing during an APU start. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in electrical arcing and a subsequent fire in
the APU.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-49-023, dated November
20, 1992, which describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection
to detect damage to the APU flexible fuel drain line, including the
braiding, and replacement of the drain line, if necessary. The service
bulletin also describes procedures for the installation of two
additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel
supply line, which is in a fixed position. The clamps will prevent the
flexible fuel drain line from contacting the positive terminal of the
APU starter motor, and subsequently causing electrical arcing in the
APU. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Netherlands airworthiness directive BLA 92-139, dated November 27,
1992, 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 a one-time visual
inspection to detect damage to the APU flexible fuel drain line and its
braiding, and replacement of the drain line with a new or serviceable
drain line, if necessary. The proposed AD also would require the
installation of two additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain
line to the fuel supply line. 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 long-standing requirement.
The FAA estimates that 63 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 $75 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,285,
or $195 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 95-NM-52-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial
numbers 11244 through 11405 inclusive, 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 (b) of this AD 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 electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain
line and starter motor positive terminal of the auxiliary power unit
(APU), which could lead to a fire in the APU; accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a visual inspection of the auxiliary power unit (APU) to detect
damage of the flexible fuel drain line and its braiding,
[[Page 36080]]
in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-49-023, dated
November 20, 1992.
(1) If no damage is detected, prior to further flight, install
two additional clamps on the fuel supply line and flexible fuel
drain line, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(2) If any damage is detected, prior to further flight, replace
the flexible fuel drain line with a new or serviceable drain line,
and install two additional clamps on the fuel supply line and
flexible fuel drain line, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(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 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.
(c) 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 July 7, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17158 Filed 7-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U