[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36831-36833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12504]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20871; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-212-AD; 
Amendment 39-14169; AD 2005-13-32]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 
3000, and 4000 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 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. This AD 
requires a detailed inspection to determine the presence of incorrectly 
installed bushings in the attachment holes of the reinforcing strap of 
the left- and right-hand wings' lower skin, and corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD is prompted by a report that bushings were installed 
in accordance with improper procedures in the structural repair manual. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improperly installed 
bushings, which could result in reduced tensile strength of the 
reinforcing strap of the wing's lower skin, and consequently a 
reduction of the structural capability of the wing and possible wing 
failure.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 
1, 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-2005-20871; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-212-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 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on April 6, 
2005 (70 FR 17345), proposed to require a detailed inspection to 
determine the presence of incorrectly installed bushings in the 
attachment holes of the reinforcing strap of the left- and right-hand 
wings' lower skin, and corrective actions 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.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify 
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate 
data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have

[[Page 36832]]

determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Number of
                                          Work      Average               Cost per        U.S.-
                Action                   hours    labor rate    Parts     airplane     registered    Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                             airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................       8           $65       $0          $520            12        $6,240
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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):

2005-13-32 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-14169. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20871; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-212-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 
3000, and 4000 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report that bushings were 
installed in accordance with improper procedures in the structural 
repair manual. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
improperly installed bushings which could result in reduced tensile 
strength of the reinforcing strap of the wing's lower skin, and 
consequently a reduction of the structural capability of the wing 
and possible wing failure.

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.

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 12 months or 3,000 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection of 
the reinforcing strap of the left- and right-hand wings' lower skin 
at wing station (WS) 2635 for improperly installed bushings, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F28/57-93, dated December 22, 2003.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no improperly installed bushing is found, no further 
action is required by this AD.
    (2) If any improperly installed bushing is found, before further 
flight:
    (i) Repair the bushing in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/57-93, dated December 
22, 2003; and
    (ii) Replace the reinforcing strap with a new reinforcing strap 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F28/57-96, dated December 22, 2003.

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 2004-021, dated February 27, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of 
this AD 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-

[[Page 36833]]

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, go to 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.

              Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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    Fokker Service Bulletin      Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F28/57-93.....................  Original........  Dec. 22, 2003.
F28/57-96.....................  Original........  Dec. 22, 2003.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12504 Filed 6-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P