[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50274-50276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17296]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29064; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-128-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    One Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) operator reported that during 
maintenance in the APU (auxiliary power unit) compartment, a 
disconnected nut was discovered on one of the shuttle valves in the 
deployment lines of the engine fire-extinguishing system. An 
additional check by the operator revealed that on more aircraft in 
its fleet, the nuts of the shuttle valves were incorrectly 
tightened. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure 
or deteriorated functioning of the engine fire-extinguishing system 
in case of an engine fire.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the

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instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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 send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
29064; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-128-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is 
the aviation authority for the Netherlands, has issued Dutch 
Airworthiness Directive NL-2006-002, dated January 24, 2006 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    One Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) operator reported that during 
maintenance in the APU (auxiliary power unit) compartment, a 
disconnected nut was discovered on one of the shuttle valves in the 
deployment lines of the engine fire-extinguishing system. An 
additional check by the operator revealed that on more aircraft in 
its fleet, the nuts of the shuttle valves were incorrectly 
tightened. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure 
or deteriorated functioning of the engine fire-extinguishing system 
in case of an engine fire. Since a potentially unsafe condition has 
been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other aircraft 
of this type design, this Airworthiness Directive requires a one-
time inspection of the nuts and shuttle valves in the deployment 
lines of the engine fire-extinguishing system in the APU compartment 
and corrective actions, as necessary.

The one-time inspection is intended to find discrepancies, including 
incorrectly installed or tightened nuts, and signs of leakage, damage, 
or corrosion. Corrective actions include tightening or replacing 
discrepant nuts or shuttle valves, as applicable. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-26-
019, dated January 6, 2006. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 13 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,040, or $80 per product.

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 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 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. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative,

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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.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2007-29064; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NM-128-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by October 1, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26: Fire 
protection.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    One Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) operator reported that during 
maintenance in the APU (auxiliary power unit) compartment, a 
disconnected nut was discovered on one of the shuttle valves in the 
deployment lines of the engine fire-extinguishing system. An 
additional check by the operator revealed that on more aircraft in 
its fleet, the nuts of the shuttle valves were incorrectly 
tightened. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure 
or deteriorated functioning of the engine fire-extinguishing system 
in case of an engine fire. Since a potentially unsafe condition has 
been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other aircraft 
of this type design, this Airworthiness Directive requires a one-
time inspection of the nuts and shuttle valves in the deployment 
lines of the engine fire-extinguishing system in the APU compartment 
and corrective actions, as necessary.

The one-time inspection is intended to find discrepancies, including 
incorrectly installed or tightened nuts, and signs of leakage, 
damage or corrosion. Corrective actions include tightening or 
replacing discrepant nuts or shuttle valves, as applicable.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
the nuts on the affected shuttle valves in accordance with Section 3 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-26-019, dated January 6, 2006.
    (2) When discrepancies are found during the inspection as 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before next flight, tighten 
or replace the affected nuts, or replace the shuttle valves; as 
applicable; in accordance with Section 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker SBF100-26-019, dated January 6, 2006.

    Note 1: Fokker 70/100 Maintenance Manual Task 26-21-03-400-814A 
also pertains to this subject.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:

    No difference.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: 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. Before using any approved AMOC 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Dutch Airworthiness Directive NL-2006-002, 
dated January 24, 2006, and Fokker Service Bulletin SBF 100-26-019, 
dated January 6, 2006, for related information.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17296 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P