[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]
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