[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16486-16488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6804]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0270; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-113-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 all 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes, and Model F.28 Mark 
0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
loose nuts on contactors in the electrical power center (EPC), and in 
some cases, burned contactors. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting and, if necessary, adjusting, the torque values of nuts on 
circuit breakers, contactors and terminal blocks of the EPC and battery 
relay panel. This proposed AD would also require inspecting to 
determine if certain parts are installed, and installing the parts if 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct loose nuts, 
which could result in arcing and potentially an onboard fire, possibly 
resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants or 
maintenance personnel.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 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-2012-0270; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-113-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://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 2011-0083, dated May 12, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    In December 1989, Fokker issued Service Bulletin (SB) SBF50-24-
A013 and SBF100-24-A011 (both Alert Bulletins) to instruct operators 
to inspect and adjust several torque values of bus bars and 
contactors in the EPC. The Civil Aviation Authority of The 
Netherlands (CAA-NL, formerly RLD) issued AD (BLA) 89-159 and BLA 
89-157 respectively (both now at issue 2), to require operators of 
the affected aeroplanes to comply with the instructions of these 
SBs.
    Since those ADs were issued, several operators have reported 
finding loose nuts on contactors in the EPC of Fokker 50/60 
aeroplanes in post-SBF50-24-A013 configuration and on Fokker 70/100 
aeroplanes in post-SBF100-24-A011 configuration. In some cases, the 
findings included damaged (burned) contactors.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
arcing and, in combination with other factors, to an onboard fire, 
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
occupants or maintenance personnel.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [torque check] inspection and, depending on findings, 
adjustment of the torque values of nuts on circuit breakers, 
contactors and terminal blocks [of the EPC and battery relay panel].

The required actions include doing a general visual inspection to 
determine if either the lock washer, flat washer and nut, or locking 
nut and flat washer, are installed; and installing a new lock washer or 
self-locking nut, if necessary; and applying torque inspection lacquer. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletins SBF50-24-
032, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance 
Documentation MCNM-F50-072 (for Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes), and 
SBF100-24-043, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance 
Documentation MCNM-F100-141 (for Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes), both dated February 10, 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

[[Page 16487]]

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

    This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as 
follows: The MCAI specifies certain concurrent requirements. This AD 
does not include those requirements because the actions are already 
required by FAA AD 98-03-18, Amendment 39-10310 (63 FR 6066, February 
6, 1998); and FAA AD 2009-18-05, Amendment 39-16001 (74 FR 43625, 
August 27, 2009).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 6 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 5 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 $2,550, or $425 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $25, for a cost of 
$365 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);
    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-2012-0270; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-113-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 7, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 
airplanes, and Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electric 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose nuts on contactors in 
the electrical power center (EPC), and in some cases, burned 
contactors. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loose nuts, 
which could result in arcing and potentially an onboard fire, 
possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants 
or maintenance personnel.

(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) Actions

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this 
AD.
    (1) Do a torque check of the nuts and circuit breakers, 
contactors, and terminal blocks of the EPC and battery relay panel, 
as applicable, and do all applicable adjustments of the torque 
values, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF50-24-032, including Fokker Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F50-072 (for Model F.27 
Mark 050 airplanes); or SBF100-24-043, including Fokker Manual 
Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-141 (for 
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes; both dated February 10, 
2011. Do all applicable adjustments before further flight.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection of the contacts and nuts on 
circuit breakers, contactors, and terminal blocks of the electrical 
power center (EPC) and battery relay panel to determine if either 
the lock washer, flat washer and nut, or locking nut and flat washer 
are installed, and do all applicable installations; in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF50-24-032, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F50-072 (for Model F.27 Mark 050 
airplanes); or SBF100-24-043, including Fokker Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-141 (for Model 
F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes; both dated February 10, 2011. Do 
all applicable installations before further flight.
    (3) Before further flight after accomplishing any check required 
by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD or any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: Apply torque inspection lacquer, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF50-24-032, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F50-072 (for Model F.27 Mark 050 
airplanes); or SBF100-24-043, including Fokker Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-141 (for Model 
F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes; both dated February 10, 2011.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International

[[Page 16488]]

Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0083, dated May 
12, 2011, and the service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) 
and (i)(2) of this AD, for related information.
    (1) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-24-032, including Fokker 
Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F50-072, 
dated February 10, 2011.
    (2) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-24-043, including Fokker 
Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-141, 
dated February 10, 2011.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6804 Filed 3-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P