[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55345-55346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27602]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-250-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 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 
0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the 
aft cabin sidewall area to improve decompression venting. For certain 
airplanes, this proposal also would require modification of the aft 
wardrobe/stowage area door and installation of decompression panels to 
improve decompression venting. 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 damage to the cabin floor in the event of sudden 
decompression in the cargo compartment, which could result in injury to 
passengers, reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and the loss 
of airplane systems.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-250-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:

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-250-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-250-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 0100 series 
airplanes. The RLD advises that the decompression venting provisions in 
the aft cabin sidewall area and in the aft wardrobe/stowage area are 
inadequate in reducing the pressure differential between the passenger 
and cargo compartments in the event of a sudden decompression of the 
cargo compartment. Such inadequate reduction in the pressure 
differential could result in damage to the cabin floor. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in injury to passengers, reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane, and loss of airplane systems.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-25-082, Revision 1, dated 
May 7, 1998, which describes procedures for modification of the aft 
cabin sidewall area to improve decompression venting. For airplanes 
equipped with an aft service/emergency door, Fokker also has issued 
Service Bulletin SBF100-25-083, dated April 30, 1998, which describes 
procedures for modification of the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and 
installation of decompression panels to improve decompression venting.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
RLD classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA 1998-065 (A), dated May 29, 1998, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the 
Netherlands.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is 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

[[Page 55346]]

type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 127 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    For all airplanes, it would take approximately 12 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed modification of the aft cabin 
sidewall area, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost approximately $3,450 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $529,590, or $4,170 per airplane.
    For airplanes equipped with an aft service/emergency door (70 
airplanes), it would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the modification of the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and 
installation of decompression panels, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $9,000 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $655,200, or $9,360 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

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-250-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 11244 through 11504 inclusive, 11506, 11507, 11509, 11512 
through 11515 inclusive, 11517, 11519, 11520, 11522, 11523, and 
11527; 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 (c) 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 damage to the cabin floor in the event of sudden 
decompression in the cargo compartment, which could result in injury 
to passengers, reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and the 
loss of airplane systems, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes listed in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
082, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1998: Within 26 months after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the aft cabin sidewall area to 
improve decompression venting in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-25-082, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1998.
    (b) For airplanes listed in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
083, dated April 30, 1998: Within 26 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and install 
decompression panels to improve decompression venting in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-083, dated April 30, 1998.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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 BLA 1998-065 (A), dated May 29, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27602 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U