[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40646-40648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19424]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-21-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 
0100 series airplanes, that currently requires replacement of the anti-
skid control boxes with improved units. This action would require 
modification or replacement of the anti-skid control boxes with new 
improved units, which render the skid control boxes even less 
susceptible to electromagnetic interference during power-up and power-
down transients. This action is prompted by continuing mandatory 
airworthiness information

[[Page 40647]]

from a foreign airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are necessary to prevent electromagnetic interference with 
the anti-skid control system, which could result in reduced brake 
pressure during low-speed taxiing, and consequent reduced 
controllability and performance of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-21-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-21-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Tom Rodriquez, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-116, FAA, Transport Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1137; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-21-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 Number 2001-NM-21-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On October 17, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-21-12, amendment 39-
11944 (65 FR 63795, October 25, 2000), applicable to all Fokker Model 
F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, to require replacement of the anti-
skid control boxes with improved units. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) with the anti-
skid control system, which could result in reduced brake pressure 
during low-speed taxiing, and consequent reduced controllability and 
performance of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, Aircraft Braking Systems (ABS), the 
manufacturer of the skid control box, has developed another 
modification, which makes the skid control box even less susceptible to 
EMI signals during power-up and power-down transients.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-32-123, dated November 
15, 2000, which describes procedures for replacing the anti-skid 
control boxes with new, improved skid control boxes. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The Rijksluchtvaartdienst 
(RLD), the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive 
2000-149, dated November 30, 2000, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands. The Fokker service 
bulletin refers to ABS Service Bulletin Fo100-32-83, dated October 30, 
2000, as an additional source of service information.

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 Netherlands 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 supersede AD 2000-21-12 to 
require replacement of the anti-skid control boxes with improved units. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
Fokker service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 129 airplanes of U.S. registry that would 
be affected by this proposed AD. The modification of an existing anti-
skid control box that is proposed in this AD would take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,628 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact

[[Page 40648]]

of the proposed modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$733,752 or $5,688 per airplane.
    No information is available on the cost of replacement of an 
existing anti-skid control box with a new, improved anti-skid control 
box, which is provided in this proposal as an option to modification of 
the existing anti-skid control box.
    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. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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:

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 removing amendment 39-11944 (65 FR 
63795, October 25, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Fokker: Docket 2001-NM-21-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-21-12, Amendment 
39-11944.

    Applicability: All Model F.28 Mark 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 (c)(1) 
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 electromagnetic interference with the anti-skid 
control system, which could result in reduced brake pressure during 
low-speed taxiing, and consequent reduced controllability and 
performance of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Modification or Replacement

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Accomplish the action specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
of this AD.
    (1) Modify any anti-skid control box having part number (P/N) 
6004272-3, -4, -5, or -6, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-32-123, dated November 15, 2000; or
    (2) Replace any anti-skid control box having part number (P/N) 
6004272-3, -4, -5, or -6 with an improved unit having P/N 6004272-7, 
in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-123, dated 
November 15, 2000.

    Note 2: Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-123 refers to Aircraft 
Braking Systems Service Bulletin Fo100-32-83, dated October 30, 
2000, as an additional source of service information.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane an anti-skid control box having P/N 6004272-3, -4, -
5, or -6, unless the anti-skid control box has been modified, in 
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-123, dated 
November 15, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c)(1) 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2000-21-12, amendment 39-63795, are approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    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

    (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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1999-149, dated November 30, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30,2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19424 Filed 8-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P