[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3448-3449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-882]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-79-AD; Amendment 39-9890; AD 97-02-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and F28 Mark 
0100 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and F28 Mark 0100 
series airplanes, that requires installation of a bonding cable for the 
housing of the lavatory pump and filter assembly and the lavatory bowl. 
This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the housing of 
the lavatory pump and filter assembly is not grounded properly. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such improper 
grounding, which could result in an electrical fire and/or injury to 
passengers and crewmembers.

DATES: Effective February 27, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O. 
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands. 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 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 050 
and F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on October 1, 1996 (61 FR 51255). That action proposed to 
require installation of a bonding cable for the housing of the lavatory 
pump and filter assembly and the lavatory bowl.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 48 Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 6 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 $209 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the 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.
    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.
    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 AD on Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes would be $208 per 
airplane.

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:

97-02-06  Fokker: Amendment 39-9890. 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

[[Page 3449]]

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, 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 installation shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF50-25-046, Revision 1, dated August 5, 1994; and 
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; as applicable. Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF50-25-046, Revision 1, dated August 5, 1994, contains 
the following list of effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Revision level shown on                                           
                 Page No.                              page                        Date shown on page           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................................   1.........................  August 5, 1994.                         
2-3......................................  Original...................  August 1, 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 Services B.V., Technical Support 
Department, P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands. 
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 February 27, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 8, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-882 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U