[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25247-25249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0933; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-098-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 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review, which 
revealed that no controlled bonding provisions are present on a number 
of critical locations inside the fuel tank or connected to the fuel 
tank wall; and no anti-spray cover is installed on the fuel shut-off 
valve (FSOV) in both wings. This proposed AD would require installing 
additional bonding provisions in the fuel tank, installing an anti-
spray cover on the FSOV, and revising the airplane maintenance program 
by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and critical 
design configuration control limitations. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank vapor space, which could 
result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 18, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0933; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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, WA 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-2015-0933; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-098-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

[[Page 25248]]

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 Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0099, dated April 30, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Fokker Services 
B.V. Model F.27 Mark 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    Prompted by an accident * * *, the FAA published Special Federal 
Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 88, and the Joint Aviation Authorities 
(JAA) published Interim Policy INT/POL/25/12.
    The review conducted by Fokker Services on the Fokker 27 design 
in response to these regulations revealed that no controlled bonding 
provisions are present on a number of critical locations, inside the 
fuel tank or connected to the fuel tank wall, and no anti-spray 
cover is installed on the Fueling Shut-Off Valve (FSOV) in both 
wings.
    This condition, if not corrected, could create an ignition 
source in the fuel tank vapour space, possibly resulting in a fuel 
tank explosion and consequent loss of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
developed a set of bonding modifications and anti-spray covers, 
introduced with Service Bulletin (SB) SBF27-28-071 Revision 1 (R1), 
that require opening of the fuel tank access panels. More 
information on this subject can be found in Fokker Services All 
Operators Message AOF27.043#03.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
installation of additional bonding provisions, and of anti-spray 
covers on the FSOV, that require opening of the fuel tank access 
panels.

    Required actions also include revising the airplane maintenance 
program by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and 
critical design configuration control limitations. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0933.

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.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and 
Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance 
with these actions and CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this AD, the operator may not be able to 
accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, 
to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for 
an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this 
AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required 
inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the 
airplane.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 15 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of bonding provisions,   70 work-hours x $85 per              $0           $5,950          $89,250
 anti-spray cover, and maintenance     hour = $5,950.
 program revision.
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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.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

[[Page 25249]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2015-0933; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-NM-098-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 18, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 200, 
300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes, certificated in any category, 
all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a design review, which revealed that no 
controlled bonding provisions are present on a number of critical 
locations inside the fuel tank or connected to the fuel tank wall; 
and no anti-spray cover is installed on the fuel shut-off valve 
(FSOV) in both wings. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition 
source in the fuel tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel 
tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Installation of Bonding Provisions and Anti-Spray Cover

    At the next scheduled opening of the fuel tanks after the 
effective date of this AD, but no later than 84 months after the 
effective date of this AD: Install additional bonding provisions at 
the applicable locations, and install an anti-spray cover on the 
FSOV in both wings, using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA.

(h) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 30 days after installing the bonding provisions and anti-
spray cover specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Revise the 
airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or CDCCLs

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or 
CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are 
approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International 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, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1137. 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA; 
or Fokker Services B.V.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0099, dated April 30, 2014, for 
related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0933.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 2015.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10180 Filed 5-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P