[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50992-50994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24652]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-9770; AD 96-20-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, 
and 4000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
series airplanes, that requires modification of the passenger door lock 
warning system. This amendment 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 this 
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: Effective November 4, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 4, 1996.

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 all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on April 4, 1996 (61 FR 15002). That action proposed to 
require modification of the passenger door lock warning system.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request for Guidance Prior to Modification

    A second commenter supports the proposed compliance times. However, 
this commenter suggests that the manufacturer provide all affected 
operators with specific guidance for use during the period prior to 
implementation of the modification. The commenter notes that this may 
entail special preflight inspections or equipment operation. The 
commenter makes this suggestion due to the high significance of a 
failure that could occur prior to the time accomplishment of the 
modification is required.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter's suggestion that additional 
guidance or

[[Page 50993]]

procedures may be useful to operators prior to accomplishment of the 
modification to ensure that passenger doors are closed properly prior 
to takeoff. The FAA has forwarded this suggestion to the manufacturer 
to determine if any additional information may be disseminated to 
operators in the interim to aid in avoidance of the addressed unsafe 
condition. However, the FAA does not intend to require interim action 
in this final rule.
    Therefore, no change to the final rule is necessary.

Conclusion

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 37 Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, 
and 4000 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 22 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 $865 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 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 requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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:

96-20-04  Fokker: Amendment 39-9770. 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 
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 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
following Fokker service bulletins, as applicable, which contain the 
specified effective pages:

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                                                     Revision level shown on                                    
  Service bulletin referenced and date      Page              page                    Date shown on page        
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F28/52-101, Revision 1, August 24, 1992     1-6     1.......................  August 24, 1992.                  
                                           7-13     Original................  November 1, 1988.                 
F28/52-112, February 1, 1995...........    1-16     Original................  February 1, 1995.                 
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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

[[Page 50994]]

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 4, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 19, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-24652 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U