[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30072-30074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8009]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24868; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed 
AD would require modification of the wiring distribution of the 
alternating current bus transfer power system and the right-hand and 
left-hand windshield anti-icing system, as necessary. This proposed AD 
results from a report of electrical sparks coming out of the flight 
deck from a panel behind the left seat. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the sliding window heating element(s), due to 
electrical overload, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
cockpit.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 26, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 
231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, for service information 
identified in this proposed 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24868; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-103-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets,

[[Page 30073]]

including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that, a few minutes after takeoff, 
electrical sparks came out of the flight deck from a panel behind the 
left seat, on a Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 airplane. The flightcrew 
also noticed a strong electrical smell, but no visible smoke. 
Investigation revealed that several contacts of the J 4222A/P 4222B 
connector were burnt, creating a conductive path between the contacts 
of the left-hand (LH) windshield heating system and the LH sliding 
window heating system. The conductive path resulted in too high of a 
voltage on the LH sliding window, causing the overheat of the LH 
sliding window heating element. Failure of the sliding window heating 
element(s), due to electrical overload, if not corrected, could result 
in smoke and fire in the cockpit.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-
027, dated May 9, 2005; including Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM F100-098, dated May 9, 2005; and 
including the drawings listed in the following table. (To conform to 
certain Office of the Federal Register requirements for incorporating 
these materials by reference, the table identifies the date of the 
service bulletin for undated drawings.)

                           Drawings Included in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-027
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Drawing                        Sheet        Issue                      Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W41043........................................          007            H  May 9, 2005.
W41043........................................          008            H  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          006            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          007            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          008            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          009            G  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          010            G  May 9, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletin describes procedures for modifying the wiring 
distribution of the alternating current bus transfer power system and 
the right-hand and left-hand windshield anti-icing system, as 
necessary. Specifically, the service bulletin describes modifying the 
following areas:
     For Block A airplanes, in the passenger compartment 
ceiling through receptacle J 2953A/plug P 2953B, zone 267; in the 
flight compartment ceiling through receptacle J 4261A/plug P 4261B, 
zone 259; and in the flight compartment ceiling through receptacle J 
4222A/plug P 4222B, zone 258.
     For Block B airplanes, in the electrical power control 
(EPC) panel 1 through receptacle J 1566A/plug P 1566B, zone 244; and in 
EPC panel 3 through receptacle J 1590A/plug P 1590B, zone 242.
     For Block C airplanes, in EPC panel 1 through receptacle J 
1566A/plug P 1566B, zone 244.
     For Block D airplanes, in EPC panel 3 through receptacle J 
1590A/plug P 1590B, zone 242.
     For Block E airplanes, in the passenger compartment 
ceiling through receptacle J 2953A/plug P 2953B, zone 267.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAA-NL 
mandated the service information and issued Dutch airworthiness 
directive NL-2005-009, dated June 30, 2005, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the CAA-
NL's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that 
we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 10 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $2,400, or $240 
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

[[Page 30074]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2006-24868; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NM-103-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by June 26, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of electrical sparks coming 
out of the flight deck from a panel behind the left seat. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the sliding window heating 
element(s), due to electrical overload, which could result in smoke 
and fire in the cockpit.

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.

Modification of Wiring Distribution

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the wiring distribution of the alternating current bus transfer 
power system and the right-hand and left-hand windshield anti-icing 
system, by accomplishing all of the actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-
027, dated May 9, 2005, as applicable; including Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM F100-098, dated May 9, 
2005; and including the drawings listed in Table 1 of this AD. (To 
conform to certain Office of the Federal Register requirements for 
incorporating these materials by reference, the table identifies the 
date of the service bulletin for undated drawings.)

                      Table 1.--Drawings Included in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-30-027
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Drawing                        Sheet        Issue                      Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W41043........................................          007            H  May 9, 2005.
W41043........................................          008            H  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          006            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          007            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          008            F  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          009            G  May 9, 2005.
W41249........................................          010            G  May 9, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2005-009, dated June 30, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 17, 2006.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-8009 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P