[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9211-9212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4119]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-325-AD; Amendment 39-11586; AD 2000-04-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series 
airplanes, that requires 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 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 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: Effective March 30, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 
and 0100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 6, 1999 (64 FR 68056). That action proposed to 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.

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 123 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will 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 required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $14,760, or $120 per airplane.
    It will 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 required 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 will take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the modification required 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 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 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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.

[[Page 9212]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-04-04  Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-11586. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-26-015, dated August 15, 1999. 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., P.O. Box 231, 
2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1999-110, dated August 31, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 30, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-4119 Filed 2-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U