[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16711-16713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8902]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 
3000, and 4000 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 F.28 Mark 
1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require a one-time inspection to determine the torque values of the 
coupling fitting attachment bolts at fuselage station 10790, and 
corrective action, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance 
of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent loss of the coupling fitting attachment bolts 
between the center wing section and the fuselage, and consequent 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-45-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 Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O. 
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 16712]]

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 98-NM-45-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-45-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, 
and 4000 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it has received reports 
of loose bolts that attach the coupling fitting to the center wing 
section. Investigation has revealed that the torque values for these 
bolts, as specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-125, dated 
January, 23, 1993, are below the actual torque value required. 
Therefore, airplanes on which Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-125 has 
been accomplished may have loose bolts in this area of the airplane. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of the coupling 
fitting attachment bolts between the center wing section and the 
fuselage, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Related AD

    In 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-13-04, amendment 39-8617, which 
mandates Fokker Structural Integrity Program (SIP) Document 28438, Part 
I, including revisions up through October 15, 1992. Item 53-10-25 of 
that document recommends accomplishment of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/
53-125, dated January 23, 1993, as optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspection requirements of that SIP item.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    In light of the reports of loose bolts discussed previously, the 
manufacturer has issued Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-143, dated 
August 30, 1996, to correct the erroneous torque values specified in 
Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-125. Among other things, Fokker Service 
Bulletin F28/53-143 procedures for a one-time inspection to determine 
the torque values of the coupling fitting attachment bolts at fuselage 
station 10790, and re-torquing of the bolts to the correct value, if 
necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this service 
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued Dutch airworthiness directive 1996-119 (A), dated September 30, 
1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in the Netherlands.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are 
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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin, F28/53-143, dated August 30, 1996.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 128 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, 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 
$207,360, or $7,680 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:

[[Page 16713]]

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 Services B.V.: Docket 98-NM-45-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series 
airplanes, serial numbers 11003 through 11201 inclusive, 11991 and 
11992; on which Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-125, dated January 
23, 1993, has 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 
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 loss of the coupling fitting attachment bolts between 
the center wing section and the fuselage, and consequent reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3,000 flight cycles or 1 year after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a one-time 
inspection to determine the torque values of the coupling fitting 
attachment bolts between the fuselage and the center wing section at 
fuselage station number 10790, in accordance with Part 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/53-143, 
dated August 30, 1996.
    (1) If the torque values are within the limits specified by the 
service bulletin, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the torque value of any bolt is outside the limits 
specified by the service bulletin, prior to further flight, re-
torque the bolt 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1996-119 (A), dated September 30, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8902 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U