[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67077-67079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19538]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26355; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-198-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).

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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 a one-time inspection of the fuel lines located in the 
left and right main landing gear (MLG) bays to determine the clearance 
between the fuel and hydraulic lines. If necessary, this proposed AD 
would also require an inspection of fuel lines for chafing, replacement 
of a chafed fuel line with a new fuel line, and the repositioning of 
existing clamps and installation of additional clamps between the fuel 
and hydraulic lines. This proposed AD results from a fuel leak found in 
the left MLG bay. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
inadequate clearance between fuel and hydraulic lines in the MLG bay, 
which could lead to chafing of a fuel line and fuel leakage. A fuel 
leak near hot brakes could result in a fire in the MLG bay.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
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 98057-3356; 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-
26355; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-198-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

[[Page 67078]]

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, 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 fuel leak was found in the left 
main landing gear (MLG) bay, on a Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplane. 
Investigation revealed that inadequate clearance between the fuel and 
hydraulic lines in the MLG bay led to chafing of the fuel line and 
consequent fuel leakage. A fuel leak near hot brakes, if not corrected, 
could result in a fire in the MLG bay.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-
041, dated July 20, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
a one-time inspection of the fuel lines located in the left and right 
MLG bays to determine the clearance between the fuel and hydraulic 
lines. If the clearance is less than 3 mm (millimeters), the service 
bulletin specifies inspecting the fuel line for chafing and doing 
corrective actions as necessary. If no chafing is found, the corrective 
action is to reposition the existing clamps and install additional 
clamps to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and 
hydraulic lines, as necessary. If chafing is found, the corrective 
actions are (1) To replace the chafed fuel line with a new fuel line 
and (2) to reposition the existing clamps and install additional clamps 
to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and hydraulic 
lines, as necessary. 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-2005-010 R1, dated September 7, 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.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The ``inspection'' specified in the Fokker service bulletin is 
referred to as a ``general visual inspection'' in this proposed AD. We 
have included the definition for a general visual inspection in a note 
in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 9 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour 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 $720, or $80 
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 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-2006-26355; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NM-198-AD.

[[Page 67079]]

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 
20, 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 fuel leak found in the left main 
landing gear (MLG) bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
inadequate clearance between fuel and hydraulic lines in the MLG 
bay, which could lead to chafing of a fuel line and fuel leakage. A 
fuel leak near hot brakes could result in a fire in the MLG bay.

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 for Clearance and Chafing

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection of the fuel lines located in the left and 
right MLG bays to determine the clearance between the fuel and 
hydraulic lines, in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-041, dated July 
20, 2005. If the clearance of a fuel line is 3 mm (millimeters) or 
more, no further action is required by this AD for that fuel line 
only. If the clearance of a fuel line is less than 3 mm, before 
further flight, do a general visual inspection of the fuel line for 
chafing in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the 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.''

Corrective Actions

    (g) If the fuel line is found chafed during the inspection for 
chafing specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, before further flight 
after that inspection, do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD. If the fuel line is not found chafed, within 6 
months after the inspection for chafing, do the actions in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the chafed fuel line with a new fuel line in 
accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-28-041, dated July 20, 2005.
    (2) Reposition the existing clamps and install additional clamps 
to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and hydraulic 
lines, as applicable, in accordance with Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-
041, dated July 20, 2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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

    (i) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2005-010 R1, dated 
September 7, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19538 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P