[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8075-8077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3798]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050, 100, 200, 
300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes; and Model F28 Mark 0070, 
0100, 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 F27 Mark 050, 
100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, and Model F28 
Mark 0070, 0100, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This 
proposal would require a one-time functional test to verify correct 
installation of the shoulder harnesses of the pilot's and co-pilot's 
seats and, if necessary, replacement of the shoulder harness assembly 
with a new or serviceable shoulder harness assembly. 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 failure of the shoulder 
harness, which could result in injury to the flight crew during 
turbulent flight conditions or during emergency landing conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-06-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., 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,

[[Page 8076]]

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 2000-NM-06-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. 2000-NM-06-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 F27 Mark 050, 100, 200, 
300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, and Model F28 Mark 0070, 
0100, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. The RLD advises that 
it has received a report indicating that, while bending forward during 
cockpit preparation, the pilot pulled the shoulder harness completely 
out of the reel mechanism. The co-pilot's shoulder harness was found in 
a similar condition. This incident occurred four flights after the 
affected shoulder harnesses were replaced during maintenance. 
Investigation revealed that the shoulder harnesses had been incorrectly 
attached into the reel mechanism. Such incorrect attachment, if not 
corrected, could result in injury to the flight crew during turbulent 
flight conditions or during emergency landing conditions.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Fokker Service Bulletins SBF50-25-051 
(for Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes); SBF27/25-65 (for Model F27 
Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes); SBF100-
25-088 (for Model F28 0070 and 0100 series airplanes); and SBF28/25-103 
(for Model F.28 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes); each 
dated October 14, 1999. These service bulletins describe procedures for 
a functional test (also referred to as an inspection and a functional 
check) to verify correct installation of the shoulder harnesses of the 
pilot's and co-pilot's seats, and replacement of an incorrectly 
installed shoulder harness assembly with a new or serviceable shoulder 
harness assembly. The RLD classified these service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive 1999-139 (A), dated 
October 29, 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 Sec. 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 a one-time 
functional test to verify correct installation of the shoulder 
harnesses of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats and replacement of an 
incorrectly installed shoulder harness assembly with a new or 
serviceable shoulder harness assembly. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the applicable service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 191 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed functional test, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the functional test proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $11,460, or $60 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 8077]]

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 2000-NM-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 050, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes; and Model F28 Mark 0070, 0100, 1000, 2000, 
3000, and 4000 series airplanes; certificated in any category; on 
which any Pacific Scientific Model 0108900 series flight crew 
shoulder harness assembly is installed.

    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 prevent failure of the shoulder harness, which could result 
in injury to the flight crew during turbulent flight conditions or 
during emergency landing conditions, accomplish the following:

Functional Test

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time functional test to verify correct installation of the 
shoulder harnesses of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats, in 
accordance with paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this 
AD, as applicable. If any shoulder harness is incorrectly installed, 
prior to further flight, replace the shoulder harness assembly with 
a new or serviceable shoulder harness assembly, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) For Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-25-051, 
dated October 14, 1999.
    (2) For Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 
series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF27/25-65, dated October 14, 1999.
    (3) For Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series airplanes: 
Accomplish the actions in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-25-088, dated October 14, 1999.
    (4) For Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series 
airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF28/25-103, dated October 14, 1999.

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 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 1999-139 (A), dated October 29, 1999.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3798 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U