[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20303-20305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10481]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-186-AD; Amendment 39-10486; AD 98-09-07]
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 modification of the 
lapjoint below the chine line at certain fuselage stations. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking in the 
lapjoint below the chine line at certain fuselage stations, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

DATES: Effective May 29, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 29, 1998.

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: 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: 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 February 12, 1998 (63 FR 7078). That action 
proposed to require a modification of the lapjoint below the chine line 
at certain fuselage stations.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 34 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 140 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required modification (specified as Part 1 in the 
referenced service bulletin), at an average labor rate of $60 per work

[[Page 20304]]

hour. The cost of required parts will be nominal. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this modification required by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,400 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 300 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the modification (specified as Part 2 in the referenced 
service bulletin), 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 this modification required by this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $18,000 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 210 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the modification (specified as Part 3 in the referenced 
service bulletin), 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 this modification required by this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $12,600 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, 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:

98-09-07  Fokker: Amendment 39-10486. Docket 96-NM-186-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 
700 series airplanes, serial numbers 10102 through 10375 inclusive, 
that are operated or have been operated at a maximum cabin pressure 
differential of 5.5 pounds per square inch (psi); 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 fatigue cracking in the lapjoint below the chine line 
at certain fuselage stations, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the fuselage, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes on which Fokker Service Bulletin F27/53-68, 
dated July 4, 1966, or Revision 1, dated July 19, 1967, has not been 
accomplished: Prior to the accumulation of 32,000 total flight 
cycles, or within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, modify the lapjoint below the chine line 
between fuselage station 1400 and station 5050, in accordance with 
Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
F27/53-116, dated April 15, 1994. Accomplishment of this 
modification and accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (b) 
of this AD constitute terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements of items 53-30-02 and 53-30-03 of the Fokker 
Model F27 Structural Inspection Program (SIP), as required by AD 96-
13-07, amendment 39-9675.
    (b) For airplanes on which Fokker Service Bulletin F27/53-85, 
dated February 16, 1970, has not been accomplished: Prior to the 
accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles, or within 2 years after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the 
lapjoint below the chine line between fuselage station 5050 and 
station 12975, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/53-116, dated April 15, 
1994. Accomplishment of this modification and accomplishment of the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD constitute terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of items 53-30-02 
and 53-30-03 of the Fokker Model F27 SIP, as required by AD 96-13-
07.
    (c) For airplanes on which Fokker Service Bulletin F27/53-85, 
dated February 16, 1970, has not been accomplished: Prior to the 
accumulation of 56,000 total flight cycles, or within 2 years after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the 
lapjoint below the chine line between fuselage station 12975 and 
station 16660, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/53-116, dated April 15, 
1994. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of item 53-30-04 
of the Fokker Model F27 SIP, as required by AD 96-13-07.
    (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, 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.

    (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 modifications shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin F27/53-116, dated April 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 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA 94-092 (A), dated May 25, 1994.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 29, 1998.


[[Page 20305]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 15, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10481 Filed 4-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U