[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28187-28188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9466]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20594; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-213-AD; 
Amendment 39-14084; AD 2005-10-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Model F.28 series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the area underneath the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
enclosure to determine if drain tubes in the area are correctly 
installed and to detect damaged wiring, and corrective action if 
necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of a fire under the APU 
enclosure. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel from accumulating 
under the APU enclosure, which, in the presence of an ignition source, 
could result in a fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 
21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the 
Netherlands.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20594; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-213-AD.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for all Fokker Model F.28 series airplanes. That action, 
published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12612), 
proposed to require a one-time inspection of the area underneath the 
auxiliary power unit enclosure to determine if drain tubes in the area 
are correctly installed and to detect damaged wiring, and corrective 
action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 4 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $260, or $65 per 
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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

[[Page 28188]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-10-07 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-14084. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20594; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-213-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of a fire under the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) enclosure. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fuel from accumulating under the APU enclosure, which, in 
the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time general visual inspection of the area underneath the APU 
enclosure to determine if the left- and right-hand engine drain 
tubes and the APU enclosure drain tube are correctly installed, and 
to detect any damage, including, but not limited to, chafing of the 
wiring in the area. Do the inspection in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-49-036 
(for Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series airplanes); or F28/
49-038 (for all other Fokker Model F.28 series airplanes); both 
dated April 26, 2004; as applicable.
    (1) If any drain tube is not correctly installed: Before further 
flight, correctly install the drain tube and remove any fuel that 
has accumulated under the APU enclosure, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin.
    (2) If any damaged wiring is found: Before further flight, 
repair the wiring in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Dutch airworthiness directive 2004-059, dated April 29, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin F28/49-038, dated April 
26, 2004; or Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-49-036 dated April 26, 
2004; as applicable; to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD; unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these 
documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To 
get copies of the service information, contact Fokker Services B.V., 
P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. To view the AD 
docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, contact the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 4, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9466 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
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