[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53857-53859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25603]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-9407; AD 95-21-20]


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 53858]]


SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that 
requires 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 amendment also requires installation of 
two additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the 
fuel supply line of the APU. This amendment is prompted by reports of 
electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain line and the APU 
starter motor. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such electrical arcing, which could result in a fire in the APU.

DATES: Effective November 17, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 17, 1995.

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) 227-1149.

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 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 13, 1995 (60 FR 
36078). That action proposed to 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. That action also proposed to require the installation of two 
additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel 
supply line.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two 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 63 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $75 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 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 
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-21-20  Fokker: Amendment 39-9407. 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 APU to detect damage of the flexible fuel 
drain line and its braiding, 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 

[[Page 53859]]
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.
    (d) The inspection, installations, replacement and shall be done 
in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-49-023, dated 
November 20, 1992. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25603 Filed 10-17-95; 8:45 am]
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