[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15002-15003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8296]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-152-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, 
and 4000 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 all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
modification of the passenger door lock warning system. This proposal 
is prompted by reports that the passenger door opened during flight due 
to an improperly locked door; additionally, the door warning signal was 
not sufficiently visible to alert the flight crew of this condition. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that 
the flight crew is aware of an unlocked passenger door prior to takeoff 
of the airplane. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
inadvertent opening of the passenger door while the airplane is in 
flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-152-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-152-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-152-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 all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 
4000 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it has received reports 
indicating that the passenger door of the airplane opened during flight 
on several occasions. Investigation revealed that the door had been 
improperly locked, and a door warning signal was not sufficiently 
visible to alert the flight crew that the door was unsecured. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in inadvertent opening of the 
passenger door while the airplane is in flight.
    Fokker has issued Service Bulletins F28/52-112, dated February 1, 
1995, and F28/52-101, Revision 1, dated August 24, 1992, which describe 
procedures for modification of the passenger door lock warning system. 
The modification specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-112 (for 
airplanes on which the passenger door lock warning system is in a pre-
SBF28/

[[Page 15003]]
52-72 configuration) entails modifying the electrical wiring, replacing 
the switch operating cam in the pedestal, and modifying the warning 
annunciator panels on the central warning panels. The modification 
described in Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-101 (for airplanes on which 
the passenger door lock warning system is in a post-SBF28/52-72 
configuration) involves installing an additional signal from the door 
lock circuit to the central warning system. Accomplishment of the 
modification described in these service bulletins will enhance the door 
lock warning system by ensuring that the master warning is activated 
when the airplane is about to take off with an unlocked passenger door.
    The RLD classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
Dutch airworthiness directive BLA 1992-117/3 (A), dated Febuary 28, 
1995, 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, the 
proposed AD would require modification of the passenger door lock 
warning system. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 37 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 22 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 $865 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $80,845, 
or $2,185 per airplane.
    The 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

    Fokker: Docket 95-NM-152-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
series airplanes; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent opening of the passenger door while the 
airplane is in flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the passenger door lock warning system at the time 
specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes in post-Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-72 
configuration: Accomplish the modification within 9 months after the 
effective date of this AD, in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin F28/52-101, Revision 1, dated August 24, 1992.
    (2) For airplanes in pre-Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-72 
configuration: Accomplish the modification within 1,500 landings 
after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin F28/52-112, dated February 1, 1995.
    (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 March 29, 1996.
Bill R. Boxwell,
Acting Manager Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-8296 Filed 4-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U