[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5724-5726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2618]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0039; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-144-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. 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 
certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks underneath the 
passenger door in a butt-joint on the forward fuselage of an F.28 Mark 
0100 airplane. This proposed AD would require repetitive low frequency 
eddy current inspections of the forward fuselage butt-joints for 
cracks, and if necessary, a temporary repair followed by a permanent 
repair. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks on the 
butt-joint on the forward fuselage, which could result in explosive 
decompression and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE 
Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)252-627-350; fax +31 
(0)252-627-211; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA 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-2012-0039; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-144-AD'' at the beginning of

[[Page 5725]]

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://www.regulations.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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0115, dated June 17, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A report has been received of a crack, detected in a butt-joint 
on the forward fuselage of an F28 Mark 0100 aeroplane, underneath 
the passenger door.
    Investigations revealed that, depending on the configuration of 
the aeroplane, one or two butt-joints in the forward fuselage can be 
affected.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
explosive decompression and consequent loss of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive [low frequency eddy current] inspections of the forward 
fuselage butt joints for cracks and, when a crack is detected, 
accomplishment of a temporary repair. This [EASA] AD also requires 
reporting any cracks found to Fokker Services to enable the 
development of a modification and the determination of an interval 
for a repetitive inspection task, to be incorporated in the ALI 
[airworthiness limitations instructions] section of the MRB 
[maintenance review board] document. This [EASA] AD is considered to 
be an interim measure and further AD action is likely.

Required actions include a permanent repair of the forward fuselage 
butt-joints. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI 
in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, 
dated June 16, 2011. 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

    Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2011-0115, dated June 17, 2011, explains 
that an optional alternative method for the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this proposed AD may be used. This AD does not include 
that optional alternative method, as the service information in this AD 
does not provide enough detail regarding this method.
    EASA AD 2011-0115, dated June 17, 2011, does not include a 
permanent repair. This proposed AD does require a permanent repair.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 4 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,020, or $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$3,400 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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 affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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-2012-0039; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-144-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 22, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 
0100 airplanes, as identified in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-
115, dated June 16, 2011.

[[Page 5726]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks underneath the 
passenger door in a butt-joint on the forward fuselage of an F.28 
Mark 0100 airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
cracks on the butt-joint on the forward fuselage, which could result 
in explosive decompression and consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Before the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within 
180 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, do a low frequency eddy current inspection of the 
forward fuselage butt-joints for cracks, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-
115, dated June 16, 2011. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles. Doing the temporary 
repair in paragraph (h) of this AD is terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by this paragraph. The temporary 
repair can also be accomplished if no cracking is found.

(h) Temporary Repair

    If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, do a temporary 
repair, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011. Doing the 
temporary repair is terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Permanent Repair

    Within 10,000 flight cycles after installing the temporary 
repair as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, install a permanent 
repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA.

(j) Reporting

    Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative), to 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 
AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, using the reports form of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011, of the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, at the applicable 
time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. 
If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it 
to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, 
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 
227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.
    (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: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2011-0115, dated June 17, 2011; and Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011; for related 
information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 12, 2012.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2618 Filed 2-3-12; 8:45 am]
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