[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51066-51068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24888]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-70-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection to 
verify the correct routing and tension of the flight control lock 
cables and the elevator control cables, and rerouting or adjustment of 
the tension of these cables, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by 
a report indicating that an inspection for routing and tension of the 
flight control lock cables and elevator control cables may not have 
been accomplished during modification of the airplanes at the factory. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
incorrect routing and tension of the flight lock control cables and the 
elevator control cables, which could result in inadvertent 
disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 8, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-70-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

[[Page 51067]]

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 96-NM-70-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. 96-NM-70-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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series 
airplanes. The RLD advises that an inspection of the flight control 
lock cables and elevator control cables may have been inadvertently 
omitted on certain Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes during a 
modification of the horizontal stabilizer structure at the 
manufacturer's production facility. During accomplishment of this 
modification, the elevator control lock cables and flight control 
cables are disconnected and, later, are supposed to be reconnected. Two 
separate inspections are then required to verify proper routing and 
tension of those cables. However, investigation of aircraft records 
revealed that, for certain airplanes, the second required inspection 
may not have been accomplished. Therefore, the routing and tension of 
the affected cables may not have been accomplished properly.
    Incorrect routing and incorrect tension of the flight lock control 
cables and the elevator control cables, if not corrected, could result 
in inadvertent disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane during flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-27-064, dated September 
15, 1994, which describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection 
to verify the correct routing and tension of the flight control lock 
cables and the elevator control cables, and rerouting of these cables 
or adjustment, if necessary. The RLD classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive (BLA) 94-
133(A), dated September 30, 1994, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

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 21.29) 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    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 require a one-time visual 
inspection to verify the routing of the flight lock control cables and 
to verify the tension of the left and right elevator control cables, 
and rerouting of cables or adjustment, if necessary. The actions would 
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,400, or $480 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.

Regulatory Impact

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


Sec. 39.13--[Amended]

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

Fokker: Docket 96-NM-70-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes having 
serial numbers 11323 through 11326 inclusive, 11423, 11429, 11431, 
11441, 11444, and 11445; 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.


[[Page 51068]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent incorrect routing and incorrect tension of the flight 
control lock cables and elevator control cables, which could result 
in inadvertent disconnection of those cables, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane; accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time visual inspection to verify the correct routing and 
correct tension of the flight control lock cables and elevator 
control cables, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
27-064, dated September 15, 1994.
    (1) If the routing and tension of the flight control lock cables 
and elevator control cables are correct, as specified in the service 
bulletin, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the routing and/or tension of the flight control lock 
cables or the elevator control cables is not correct, as specified 
in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, reroute and/or 
adjust the tension of those cables, as necessary, 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 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 September 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-24888 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U