[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68056-68058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31475]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 233 / Monday, December 6, 1999 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-325-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070
and 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require a measurement of
the resistance of the electrical connectors of the auxiliary power unit
(APU) to detect a short circuit; an inspection to determine if the
grommets or shrink sleeves are present; and modification, 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 detect and
prevent a short circuit of a fire extinguisher electrical system due to
a lack of shrink sleeves or grommets, and consequent disabling of the
affected fire extinguisher system.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 5, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-325-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep,
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 99-NM-325-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. 99-NM-325-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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that a fire extinguisher electrical circuit
for the auxiliary power unit (APU) was found shorted. A subsequent
inspection revealed that similar conditions affected the engine fire
extinguisher circuits, due to twisted wires that allowed the contact
pins to touch. Further investigation established that certain types of
electrical cartridge connectors on both the engine and APU fire
extinguisher bottles did not have heat shrink sleeves installed during
production. In this condition, a short circuit cannot be detected by
the resistance check described in the current maintenance program. The
lack of shrink sleeves or grommets, if not corrected, could result in a
short circuit of a fire extinguisher electrical system, and consequent
disabling of the affected fire extinguisher system.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-26-015, dated August 15,
1999, which describes procedures for performing a measurement of the
resistance of the electrical lines on the auxiliary power unit (APU)
and engine fire extinguishers to detect a short circuit; a general
visual inspection to determine if the grommets or shrink sleeves are
present; and modification, if necessary. The modification involves
applying shrink sleeves to electrical wiring. Accomplishment of the
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition. The RLD classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive
1999-110, dated August 31, 1999, 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
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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 the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 123 airplanes of US registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the measurement specified in Part A of the referenced service bulletin,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of this measurement proposed by this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $14,760, or $120 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the inspection specified in Part B of the referenced service bulletin,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of this inspection proposed by this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $7,380, or $60 per airplane.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the modification
specified in Part B of the referenced service bulletin, it would take
approximately 2 works hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $120 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 99-NM-325-AD.
Applicability: All Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series
airplanes, 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 (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 detect and prevent a short circuit of a fire extinguisher
electrical system due to a lack of shrink sleeves or grommets, and
consequent disabling of the affected fire extinguisher system,
accomplish the following:
Inspection and Modification, If Necessary
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a measurement of the resistance of the electrical lines on
the auxiliary power unit (APU) and engine fire extinguisher bottles
to detect a short circuit, in accordance with Part A of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-26-
015, dated August 15, 1999.
(1) If no short circuit is detected, at the next scheduled
weight check of the fire extinguishing bottle, or within 2 years
after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever
occurs first, perform a general visual inspection to determine if
the grommets or shrink sleeves are present and installed properly.
If any grommet or shrink sleeve is missing or not installed
properly, prior to further flight, perform the modification of the
connectors, in accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.
(2) If any short circuit is detected, prior to further flight,
perform a general visual inspection to determine if the grommets or
shrink sleeves are present and installed properly. If any grommet or
shrink sleeve is missing or not installed properly, prior to further
flight, perform the modification of the connectors, in accordance
with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
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Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive 1999-110, dated August 31, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31475 Filed 12-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U