[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40878-40880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-12367; AD 2001-15-32]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes. This 
action requires installation of a filler plate and a doubler to 
reinforce the area under the top antenna for the Traffic Collision 
Avoidance System (TCAS). This action is necessary to prevent cracking 
due to fatigue in the area under the antenna for the TCAS, which could 
result in

[[Page 40879]]

reduced structural capability of the airplane. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 21, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 21, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-141-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-141-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 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-116, FAA, Transport Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 
series airplanes. The RLD advises that, during a product review, Fokker 
discovered that the standards for installation of the top antenna for 
the TCAS are structurally inadequate. If an antenna for the TCAS is 
installed in accordance with those standards, the area under the 
antenna will be subject to fatigue. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in cracking due to fatigue in the area under the antenna 
for the TCAS, which could result in reduced structural capability of 
the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-53-054, dated May 1, 2000, 
which describes procedures for installing a filler plate and a doubler 
as reinforcement under the top antenna for the TCAS. 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 
2000-152, dated November 30, 2000, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

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 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) 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 the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the United States at some time in the future, this AD is 
being issued to prevent cracking due to fatigue in the area under the 
antenna for the TCAS, which could result in rapid depressurization, 
followed by uncontrolled flight, due to structural failure of the 
airplane. This AD requires installation of a filler plate and a doubler 
to reinforce the area under the top antenna for the TCAS. The actions 
are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes affected by 
this action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 4 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$240 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    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 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 rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact

[[Page 40880]]

concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules 
Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-141-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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:

2001-15-32  Fokker Services B.V: Amendment 39-12367. Docket 2001-NM-
141-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes, as listed in 
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-054, dated May 1, 2000, 
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 prevent cracking due to fatigue in the area under the antenna 
for the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which could 
result in reduced structural capability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Reinforcement

    (a) Within 12,000 flight cycles after installation of the 
antenna for the TCAS: Install a filler plate and a doubler to 
reinforce the area under the top antenna for the TCAS, in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-054, dated May 1, 2000.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF50-53-054, dated May 1, 2000. This incorporation 
by reference is 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 2000-152, dated November 30, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 21, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19260 Filed 8-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U