[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15906-15908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8918]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-253-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 
100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, that currently 
requires supplemental structural inspections to detect fatigue cracks, 
and repair or replacement, as necessary, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes. This action would add or revise 
certain significant structural items for which inspection and repair or 
replacement is necessary. This proposal is prompted by a structural re-
evaluation conducted by the manufacturer, which identified additional 
structural elements where fatigue damage is likely to occur. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced 
structural integrity of these airplanes.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 20, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-253-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

[[Page 15907]]
22314. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1721; 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-253-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-253-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On August 20, 1992, the FAA issued AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365 
(57 FR 42693, September 16, 1992), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 
Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, to require 
supplemental structural inspections to detect fatigue cracks, and 
repair or replacement, as necessary, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes. That action was prompted by a 
structural re-evaluation conducted by the manufacturer, which 
identified additional structural elements where fatigue damage is 
likely to occur. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent 
reduced structural integrity of these airplanes.
    Since the issuance of that AD, Fokker has issued Structural 
Integrity Program (SIP) Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up 
through August 1, 1995. This document adds or revises certain 
significant structural items for which inspection and repair or 
replacement is necessary. The additional or revised items are included 
as a result of fatigue analysis and tests, service experience, or 
follow-up action to an airworthiness directive that required a one-time 
inspection and a report of findings to the manufacturer.
    The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Netherlands, classified the SIP Document as mandatory 
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 supersede AD 92-19-07 to 
continue to require supplemental structural inspections to detect 
fatigue cracks, and repair or replacement, as necessary. The proposed 
AD would add or revise certain significant structural items for which 
inspection and repair or replacement is necessary. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the SIP Document 
described previously.
    There are approximately 34 Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 
600, and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected 
by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 92-19-07 take 
approximately 295 work hours per airplane per year to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the requirements of the 
previously-issued AD that would be retained in this new AD action is 
estimated to be $601,800, or $17,700 per airplane, annually.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action (including the 
implementation of the inspections, repairs, or replacements specified 
in the revisions to the SIP Document into an operator's maintenance 
program; as well as removal, inspection, and installation of structure) 
would take approximately 179 additional work hours per airplane per 
year to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators relative to 
now the proposed requirements of this AD is estimated to be $365,160, 
or $10,740 per airplane, the first year and annually thereafter.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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.
    
[[Page 15908]]


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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 
42693, September 16, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Fokker: Docket 95-NM-253-AD. Supersedes AD 92-19-07, Amendment 39-
8365.

    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 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 
otherwise 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 (d) 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 reduced structural integrity of these airplanes, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after October 21, 1992 (the effective date 
of AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365), incorporate into the FAA-
approved maintenance program the inspections, inspection intervals, 
repairs, or replacements defined in Fokker Structural Integrity 
Program (SIP) Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
November 1, 1991; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable. 
The non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP 
Document provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the 
inspections required by this AD. If any cracking is detected, 
inspection results must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the 
instructions of the SIP Document. Information collection 
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program the 
inspections, inspection intervals, repairs, or replacements defined 
in Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
August 1, 1995; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable. The 
non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP Document 
provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the inspections 
required by this AD. If any cracking is detected, inspection results 
must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the instructions of 
the SIP Document.
    (c) Cracked structure detected during the inspections required 
by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD must be repaired or replaced, 
prior to further flight, in accordance with the instructions in 
Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
November 1, 1991; or Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including 
revisions up through August 1, 1995; respectively; or in accordance 
with other data meeting the certification basis of the airplane 
which is approved by the FAA or by the Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD).
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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 April 4, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-8918 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U