[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4344-4346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1963]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-128-AD; Amendment 39-12613; AD 2002-01-19]
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 certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series 
airplanes, that requires repetitive operational tests for discrepancies 
of the heating system of pitot tube #1, and replacement of the pitot 
tube, if necessary. This AD also requires eventual modification of the 
alternating current sensing circuit for pitot tube #1, which terminates 
the repetitive operational test requirement. This action is necessary 
to prevent failure of the heating system of pitot tube #1 due to a 
short circuit, which may go undetected and lead to the pilot receiving 
erroneous airspeed indications, resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective March 6, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 6, 2002.

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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

[[Page 4345]]

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1137; 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 certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 
0070 and 0100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
November 5, 2001 (66 FR 55896). That action proposed to require 
repetitive operational tests for discrepancies of the heating system of 
pitot tube #1, and replacement of the pitot tube, if necessary. That 
action also proposed to require eventual modification of the 
alternating current sensing circuit for pitot tube #1, which would 
terminate the repetitive operational test requirement.

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 129 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required operational test, at the average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the operational 
test required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,740, 
or $60 per airplane, per test cycle.
    It will take approximately 34 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification, at the average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $350 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $308,310, or $2,390 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. 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 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:

2002-01-19 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-12613. Docket 2001-NM-
128-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series airplanes, 
serial numbers 11244 through 11585 inclusive, on which Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-30-019 or SBF100-30-020 has been 
accomplished, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (e) 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 heating system of pitot tube 
1 due to a short circuit, which may go undetected and lead 
to the pilot receiving erroneous airspeed indications, resulting in 
reduced control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Operational Test

    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, do an 
operational test for discrepancies (i.e., correct functioning) of 
the heating system of pitot tube 1, according to Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-30-025, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2001. 
Repeat the operational test every 12 months, until paragraph (d) of 
this AD has been done.

Replacement of Pitot Tube

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during the operational test 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, replace 
pitot tube 1 with a new pitot tube, according to Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-30-025, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2001.

Reporting Requirement

    (c) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (c)(1) or 
(c)(2) of this AD: Use page 38 of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-
025, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2001, to submit a report of 
findings from each operational test (both positive and negative) to 
Fokker Services B.V., Attn: Manager Airline Support, P.O. Box 231, 
2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. Information collection 
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) For airplanes on which the operational test is accomplished 
after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 5 days 
after performing the test required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the operational test is accomplished 
before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 5 
days after the effective date of this AD.

Modification

    (d) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the alternating current (AC) sensing circuit for pitot tube #1 
(including removing the supply current wire from the AC current 
sensor for the pitot tube, removing the wire that grounds the 
heating system of pitot tube #1, installing the supply

[[Page 4346]]

current wire to the inverter, installing the return current wire 
from pitot tube #1 to the AC current sensor, and grounding the AC 
current sensor), according to Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-025, 
Revision 1, dated March 14, 2001. Such modification terminates the 
repetitive operational tests required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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

    (f) 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

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-30-025, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2001. 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.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on March 6, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2002.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1963 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
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