[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20074-20075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8990]



[[Page 20074]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-369-AD; Amendment 39-11679; AD 2000-07-24]
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 installation of new, improved bonding jumpers 
on the horizontal stabilizer. 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 ensure adequate electrical bonding between the horizontal and 
vertical stabilizers. Inadequate electrical bonding, in the event of a 
lightning strike, could cause electrical arcing, and result in damage 
to the hydraulic lines and consequent failure of the hydraulic systems.

DATES: Effective May 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 19, 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 
February 4, 2000 (65 FR 5456). That action proposed to require 
installation of new, improved bonding jumpers on the horizontal 
stabilizer.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter states that it has partially completed the 
requirements, and plans to accomplish the remainder of the requirements 
of the AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, 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 129 Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it 
will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $69 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$24,381, or $189 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]


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

2000-07-24  Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-11679. Docket 99-NM-
369-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 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 ensure adequate electrical bonding between the horizontal and 
vertical stabilizers, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-23-032, dated September 22, 1999.
    (1) On the left-hand side of the horizontal stabilizer, replace 
the existing bonding jumper on the horizontal stabilizer torsion box 
with a new, improved bonding jumper.
    (2) On the right-hand side of the horizontal stabilizer, install 
a new, improved bonding jumper.

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    Note 2: Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-23-032, dated September 
22, 1999, references Fokker 70/100 Aircraft Maintenance Manual 
(AMM), Chapter 20-13-05, as an additional source of service 
information to accomplish the installation of the new bonding 
jumpers.

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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-23-032, dated September 22, 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 1999-128(A), dated October 29, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8990 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
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