[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35942-35944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17219]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-9692; AD 96-14-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. This 
action requires modification of the radio altimeter wiring circuitry 
associated with the Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System 
(AFCAS). This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the 
AFCAS does not properly monitor the radio altimeter status during 
automatic landing operations. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS to 
properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during automatic landing 
operations if a single radio altimeter were to fail.

DATES: July 24, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 24, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-132-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.

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: 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 it has received a report 
indicating that the Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System 
(AFCAS) on these airplanes does not properly monitor the radio 
altimeter status during automatic landing (``LAND 2'') operations. As a 
result, an airplane may perform a ``LAND 2'' operation with only one 
radio altimeter that is operative. If the remaining altimeter were to 
fail or to lose track during the ``LAND 2'' operation, the ALIGN, 
FLARE, and/or RETARD modes will not be performed, even though the 
annunciations for these modes would still be indicated on the 
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). In this case, the flight 
crew may accept the EFIS annunciation that these maneuvers (modes) are 
being executed when, in fact, those maneuvers are not taking place. 
This condition could result in the flight crew not being aware that the 
AFCAS has not properly aligned, flared, and retarded the airplane 
during automatic landing operations.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2, dated 
November 27, 1990, which describes procedures for a modification of the 
radio altimeter wiring circuitry associated with the AFCAS data-control 
jumper. This wiring change will allow the radio altimeters to remove 
the data from AFCAS data bus whenever a failure is detected. As a 
result, ``LAND 2'' operation is no longer possible with only one radio 
altimeter operative. The RLD classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive (BLA) 90-023, 
Issue 2, dated May 23, 1990, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

[[Page 35943]]

FAA's Conclusions

    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 21.19) 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.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS 
to properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during automatic 
landing operations when a single radio altimeter fails. This AD 
requires modification of the radio altimeter wiring circuitry 
associated with the AFCAS data-control jumper. The actions are required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 4.6 work hours 
to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 
per work hour. The cost of required parts would be negligible. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $276 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-NM-132-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-14-08 Fokker: Amendment 39-9692. Docket 96-NM-132-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; serial 
numbers 11244 through 11256 inclusive, 11259, 11260, and 11268 
through 11273 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 
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 (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 erroneous indications and failure of the AFCAS to 
properly align, flare, and retard the airplane during autoland 
operations when a single radio altimeter fails, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the radio altimeter wiring circuitry (AFCAS data-control jumper) in 
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2, 
dated November 27, 1990.

[[Page 35944]]

    (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 or 
Avionics 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-34-015, Revision 2, dated November 27, 1990, 
which contains the following list of effective pages:

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                                       Revision                         
            Page number              level shown    Date shown on page  
                                       on page                          
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1, 5-..............................           2-  November 27, 1990     
2-4, 6-9-..........................           1-  May 16, 1990          
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    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 July 24,1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 1, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
 Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17219 Filed 7-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P