[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59136-59137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25866]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 14, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 59136]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-252-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 
0070 and 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
general visual inspection of the left and right sides of the pedestal 
side cover adjacent to the rudder pedal on the cockpit floor for proper 
installation of the attachment bracket, and corrective actions if 
necessary. This action is necessary to prevent restricted movement of 
the rudder pedal due to a loose pedestal side cover causing 
interference, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-252-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2002-NM-252-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 or 2000 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 Rodriguez; Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane 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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-252-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 No. 2002-NM-252-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 
and 0100 series airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that an operator reported 
that a pilot's foot became stuck between the pedestal side cover and 
the rudder pedal during alignment of the airplane with the runway 
during approach. The pilot was able to free his foot and land the 
airplane safely. Investigation revealed at least one similar incident 
occurred previously. A review of the aircraft maintenance manual 
revealed that it does not include instructions for installing the 
pedestal side cover in the attachment bracket; therefore, there may be 
airplanes in-service with loose pedestal side covers. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in restricted movement of the rudder 
pedal due to a loose pedestal side cover causing interference, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
092, dated February 4, 2002, which describes procedures for a one-time 
visual inspection of the left and right sides of the pedestal side 
cover adjacent to the rudder pedal on the cockpit floor for proper 
installation in the attachment brackets, and corrective actions if 
necessary. The corrective actions include the following:

[[Page 59137]]

    [sbull] If an attachment bracket is present on both the left and 
right sides of the pedestal cover, the service bulletin provides 
procedures for checking each bracket to make sure the side cover is 
installed correctly into each bracket, and if it is not installed 
correctly, reinstall the side cover into the bracket.
    [sbull] If any attachment bracket is missing, the service bulletin 
provides procedures for modifying the pedestal side cover attachment as 
specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin. The modification includes manufacturing and installing 
attachment angles (brackets), modifying the pedestal side cover, 
installing an angle assembly, and modifying the pedestal installation 
cover assembly, as applicable.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
CAA-NL classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive 2002-111, dated July 31, 2002, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are 
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 CAA-NL has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the CAA-NL, 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 require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 76 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,940, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket 2002-NM-252-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series airplanes, 
having serial numbers 11244 through 11585 inclusive; certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent restricted movement of the rudder pedal due to a 
loose pedestal side cover causing interference, which could result 
in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time general visual inspection of the left and right sides of 
the pedestal side cover adjacent to the rudder pedal on the cockpit 
floor for proper installation of the attachment brackets, in 
accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-25-092, dated February 4, 2002.

    Note 1: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

    (1) If both brackets are present and the pedestal side cover is 
properly installed, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If one or both brackets are missing, or the pedestal side 
cover is improperly installed, before further flight, accomplish all 
of the applicable corrective actions in accordance with Part 2 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 2002-111, dated July 31, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 7, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25866 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
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