[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51255-51256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25038]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and 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 F27 Mark 050 
and F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
installation of a bonding cable for the housing of the lavatory pump 
and filter assembly and the lavatory bowl. This proposal is prompted by 
a report indicating that the housing of the lavatory pump and filter 
assembly is not grounded properly. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent such improper grounding, which 
could result in an electrical fire and/or injury to passengers and 
crewmembers.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-79-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: Ruth 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 96-NM-79-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-79-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 F27 Mark 050 and F28 Mark 
0100 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it received a report 
indicating that the housing of the lavatory pump and filter assembly is 
not grounded properly. The metal toilet bowl is connected to the 
housing of the 115 volt AC motor that drives the lavatory pump and 
filter assembly. If this electrical motor fails, the toilet bowl could 
carry high voltage. In addition, an electrical short could cause the 
motor to overheat. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in 
an electrical fire and/or injury to passengers and crewmembers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-25-046, Revision 1, dated 
August 5, 1994 (for Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes); and Service 
Bulletin SBF100-25-069, dated July 13, 1994, as revised by Service 
Bulletin Change Notification (SBCN) SBF100-25-069/01, dated February 
15, 1995 (for Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes). These service 
bulletins describe procedures for installation of a bonding cable for 
the housing of the lavatory pump and filter assembly and the lavatory 
bowl. Accomplishment of the installation will provide electrical 
grounding for the pump and filter assembly housing. The RLD classified 
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Netherlands 
airworthiness directive BLA 94-129(A), dated August 31, 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, the 
proposed AD would require installation of a bonding cable for the 
housing of the lavatory pump and filter assembly and the lavatory bowl. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletins described previously.

[[Page 51256]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 48 Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 6 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 $209 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators of Model 
F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes of U.S. registry is estimated to be 
$27,312, or $569 per airplane.
    Currently, there are no Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes on the 
U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported and 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require 
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the proposed actions, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $88 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of this proposed AD for Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes would be 
$208 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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-79-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes, as listed in 
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-25-046, Revision 1, dated August 5, 
1994; and Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, as listed in Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-25-069, dated July 13, 1994, as revised by 
Service Bulletin Change Notification (SBCN) SBF100-25-069/01, dated 
February 15, 1995; 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 improper grounding of the housing of the lavatory 
pump and filter assembly, which could result in an electrical fire 
and/or injury to passengers and crewmembers, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
a bonding cable for the housing of the lavatory pump and filter 
assembly and the lavatory bowl in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF50-25-046, Revision 1, dated August 5, 1994 (for Model 
F27 Mark 050 series airplanes); and Service Bulletin SBF100-25-069, 
dated July 13, 1994, as revised by Service Bulletin Change 
Notification (SBCN) SBF100-25-069/01, dated February 15, 1995 (for 
Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (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 24, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25038 Filed 9-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U