[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21395-21397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8218]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0333; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-085-AD; 
Amendment 39-17011; AD 2012-07-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require performing a low frequency eddy current inspection for 
cracks of the lap joint of the rear fuselage, and repair if necessary. 
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the fuselage lap joint. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct exponential crack growth, 
which could lead to failure of the lap joint over a certain length and 
consequent in-flight decompression of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 25, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of the service information listed in the AD as of April 25, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 25, 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.

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 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: 

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 2011-0064, dated April 7, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    One operator reported a clearly visible crack in a fuselage lap 
joint, just forward of the ice protection plate in the forward 
fuselage. During a subsequent review of fatigue lives of lap joints 
in general, a critical location was found at a skin cut-out for a 
water service panel in the rear fuselage. Analysis by Fokker 
Services shows that at this specific location, due to the high local 
loads, cracks can occur from about 47,000 flight cycles (FC) in the 
inner skin. The outer skin will cover a crack in the inner skin and 
a crack will therefore not be visible.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, can result in an 
exponential crack growth rate, possibly leading to failure of the 
lap joint over a certain length and consequent in-flight 
decompression of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time low-frequency eddy current inspection of the lap joint for 
cracks and, depending on findings, repair of the lap-joint. This 
[EASA] AD also requires sending an inspection report (even when no 
cracks are found) to the TC [type certificate] holder to confirm the 
selected inspection threshold for aeroplanes that have not yet 
accumulated 45,000 FC, as well as the inspection interval. The 
repetitive inspection task will be introduced in a future revision 
of the Fokker 50/60 Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Document.
    Repair of the lap joint constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. In addition, the terminating action can also 
be applied before the initial inspection is required, thereby 
preventing the need for inspection altogether.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-53-061, 
dated January 13, 2011; and Service Bulletin

[[Page 21396]]

SBF50-53-062, dated January 13, 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 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0333; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-085-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
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 AD.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-07-05 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-17011. Docket No. FAA-
2012-0333; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-085-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 25, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 20103 
through 20252 inclusive, 20254 through 20267 inclusive, 20270 
through 20279 inclusive, 20281, 20283 through 20286 inclusive, 20288 
through 20317 inclusive, 20328, 20331, 20333, and 20335; except 
those that have already been modified in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF50-53-062.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the fuselage lap 
joint. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct exponential 
crack growth, which could lead to failure of the lap joint over a 
certain length and consequent in-flight decompression 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

    Within the applicable times specified in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Do a low frequency eddy current (LFEC) 
inspection for cracks of the lap joint of the rear fuselage, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF50-53-061, dated January 13, 2011.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 47,000 total flight 
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Within 3 months 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 46,000 total 
flight cycles but less than 47,000 total flight cycles as of the 
effective date of this AD: Within 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 45,000 total 
flight cycles but less than or equal to 46,000 total flight cycles 
as of the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD.

(h) Corrective Action

    If any crack is found during the LFEC inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair the lap 
joint in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF50-53-062, dated January 13, 2011.

[[Page 21397]]

(i) Reporting Requirement

    Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of 
the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD to Fokker 
Services B.V., Technical Services, in accordance with the 
instructions of Figure 6 of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-061, 
dated January 13, 2011, at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(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.

(j) Optional Terminating Action

    Repairing the lap joint in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-062, dated January 
13, 2011, terminates the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
provided that the action is accomplished within the applicable 
compliance time specified in paragraph (g) 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, ANM-116, 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 Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2011-0064, dated April 7, 
2011; Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-061, dated January 13, 2011; 
and Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-062, dated January 13, 2011; 
for related information.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-061, dated January 13, 
2011.
    (ii) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-53-062, dated January 13, 
2011.
    (2) For Fokker Services B.V. service information identified in 
this 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.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 28, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-8218 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P