[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 6 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1277-1278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-362]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-9879; AD 97-01-08]
RIN: 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, and 700 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 certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,
600, and 700 series airplanes, that requires a one-time visual
inspection to detect missing rivet heads or loose rivets of the
applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the upper and lower wing
skin, and repair, if necessary. In lieu of the one-time visual
inspection or in addition to that inspection, the AD also requires
replacement of certain rivets with certain new rivets in all applicable
rib-to-stringer connections of the upper and lower wings. This
amendment is prompted by reports of missing rivet heads at the rib-to-
stringer connections of the upper and lower wing skin at stringers 5
and 6. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced
structural integrity of the wings that is caused by problems associated
with missing and/or loose rivets.
DATES: Effective February 13, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 13, 1997.
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: 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: 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 certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100,
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on July 24, 1996 (61 FR 38407). That action proposed
to require a one-time visual inspection to detect missing rivet heads
or loose rivets of the applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the
upper and lower skin, and repair, if necessary. In lieu of the one-time
visual inspection, or in addition to that inspection, that action also
proposed to require replacement of certain rivets with certain new
rivets in all applicable rib-to-stringer connections of the upper and
lower wings.
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 to Cite the Latest Dutch AD
One commenter notes that the preamble to the notice stated that
``the RLD classified [Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November
15, 1994] as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive BLA 93-
094 (A), dated July 16, 1993 * * *.'' The commenter points out that the
reference to BLA 93-094 (A) is incorrect, since that BLA 93-094 (A) was
issued in 1993, a year earlier than the release of Fokker Service
Bulletin F27/57-74. The commenter states that the Dutch BLA that
mandated that service bulletin is BLA 94-148, dated November 24, 1994.
The FAA concurs. The FAA inadvertently referenced the wrong BLA
number and issue date in the preamble to the notice; it should have
referenced BLA 94-148 as the applicable Dutch airworthiness directive.
However, since that information is not restated in this final rule, no
specific change 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 with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 6 Fokker Model 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
The required inspection will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection
action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240 per airplane.
The required replacement will take approximately 19 work hours per
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
The cost of required parts will be nominal. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $1,140 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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,
[[Page 1278]]
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:
97-01-08 Fokker: Amendment 39-9879. Docket 96-NM-28-AD.
Applicability: Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and
700 series airplanes, serial numbers 10653 through 10692 inclusive;
on which Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service
Bulletins F27/57-68 and F27/57-70 has not been accomplished;
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 (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 loose or missing rivets at the rib-to-stringer
connections of the upper and lower wing skin at stringers 5 and 6,
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wings;
accomplish the following:
(a) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD: Prior to the
accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or within 2 months after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a
one-time visual inspection to detect missing rivet heads or loose
rivets of the applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the upper
and lower skin, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November
15, 1994.
(1) If no missing rivet head and no loose rivet is detected, no
further action is required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(2) If any missing rivet head or loose rivet is detected, prior
to further flight, repair the affected rib-to-stringer connection,
in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
(b) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or
within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, replace rivets having part number (P/N) MS20600AD4W2 with new
rivets having P/N CR3553P4 in all applicable rib-to-stringer
connections of the upper and lower wings, in accordance with Part 1
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/
57-74, dated November 15, 1994.
(c) Airplanes on which the replacement required by paragraph (b)
of this AD is performed within the compliance time specified in
paragraph (a) of this AD are not required to accomplish the
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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.
(f) The inspection, repair, and replacement shall be done in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November
15, 1994. 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on February 13, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-362 Filed 1-8-97; 8:45 am]
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