[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12580-12581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5942]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-251-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 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 series airplanes. This proposal would require inspection of cables 
installed on certain contactors in the electrical power center (EPC) 
for proper installation of wires, and reinstallation of wires if 
necessary. These actions are necessary to prevent a short circuit in 
the EPC, possibly leading to a fire in the main cabin and damage to the 
airplane, or injury to passengers and flightcrew. These actions are 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 16, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-251-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-251-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., PO 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:
     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 2002-NM-251-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-251-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 
series airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that an operator reported an 
occurrence of a short circuit between two cables attached to a 
contactor in the electrical power center (EPC) while an airplane was on 
the ground and powered by external power only. The short circuit 
occurred due to incorrect installation of the wires on the contactor, 
which left minimal clearance between the cable terminals. The operator 
also discovered the same condition on another airplane. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in a short circuit in the EPC, possibly 
leading to a fire in the main cabin and damage to the airplane or 
injury to passengers and flightcrew.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-24-035, 
dated May 27, 2002, which describes procedures for inspection of cables 
installed on certain contactors in the EPC for proper installation of 
wires, and reinstallation of wires, if necessary. 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 
2002-112, dated

[[Page 12581]]

July 31, 2002, to ensure 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 
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, 
except as discussed below.

Differences Among the Proposed AD, the Service Bulletin and the Dutch 
Airworthiness Directive

    Operators should note that, although the referenced service 
bulletin and the Dutch Airworthiness Directive include instructions for 
reporting the results of all inspections to Fokker Services. B.V., this 
proposed AD would not require those actions.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    Although the Dutch Airworthiness Directive and the referenced 
service bulletin do not specify the type of inspection for the affected 
cables, this proposed AD describes the inspection as a ``general visual 
inspection.'' Note 1 of this proposed AD has been included to define 
this type of inspection.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, 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 
$260, or $130 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-251-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0070 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 11521, and 11528 through 11585 inclusive; certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a short circuit in the electrical power center (EPC), 
possibly leading to a fire in the main cabin and damage to the 
airplane, or injury to passengers and flightcrew, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection, and Reinstallation If Necessary

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a general visual inspection of the 4 contactors having part number 
9124-9283 located in the EPC for proper installation of the wires; 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-24-035, dated May 27, 2002.
    (1) If the installation is correct, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (2) If the installation is incorrect, prior to further flight, 
reinstall the wires in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.

    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.''

Exception to Service Bulletin Reporting

    (b) Although Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-035, dated May 
27, 2002, specifies that all inspection results be reported to 
Fokker Services. B.V., this proposed AD does not include such a 
requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 2002-112, dated July 31, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 5, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5942 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
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