[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 39 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10070-10072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3633; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-097-AD; 
Amendment 39-18416; AD 2016-04-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review conducted by Fokker 
Services B.V. that indicated no controlled bonding provisions were 
present on many critical locations outside the fuel tank or connected 
to the fuel tank wall. This AD requires installing the additional 
bonding provisions, and revising the maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and 
critical design configuration control limitations. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 4, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 4, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 
2130 EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax 
+31 (0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-3633.

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-
3633; 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 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.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Fokker Services B.V. 
Model F.27 Mark 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2015 (80 FR 56413) 
(``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0100, 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 [(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001)], 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

[[Page 10071]]

bonding provisions are present on a number of critical locations 
outside the fuel tanks.
    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, introduced with [a service 
bulletin] * * *, that do[es] not 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 that do not require 
opening of the fuel tank access panels.

    Required actions also include revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, 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-
3633.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker F27 Proforma Service 
Bulletin SBF27-28-072, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2014, including 
Fokker F27 Service Bulletin Appendix SBF27-28-072/APP01, dated July 17, 
2014, including List of Drawings/Part Lists, dated July 17, 2014. The 
service information describes procedures for installing additional 
bonding provisions.
    Fokker Services B.V. has also issued Fokker Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F27-027, dated September 
9, 2014. The service information describes fuel airworthiness 
limitations items and critical design configuration control 
limitations.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 15 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $10,200, or $680 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 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 that 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-04-22 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-18416. Docket No. FAA-
2015-3633; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-097-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 4, 2016.

(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 conducted by Fokker 
Services B.V. that indicated no controlled bonding provisions were 
present on many critical locations outside the fuel tank or 
connected to the fuel tank wall. 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

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
additional bonding provisions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker F27 Proforma Service Bulletin SBF27-28-072, 
Revision 1, dated March 6, 2014, including Fokker F27 Service 
Bulletin Appendix SBF27-28-072/APP01, dated July 17, 2014, including 
List of Drawings/Part Lists, dated July 17, 2014.

[[Page 10072]]

(h) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and 
(h)(2) of this AD: Revise the airplane maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, by incorporating the fuel airworthiness 
limitations items and critical design configuration control 
limitations as identified in Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F27-027, dated September 9, 2014.
    (1) Before further flight after accomplishing the installation 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    After the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has 
been revised as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used 
unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (j)(1) 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 425-227-1149 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) 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 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Fokker B.V. Service'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 2014-0100, 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-2015-3633.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Fokker F27 Proforma Service Bulletin SBF27-28-072, Revision 
1, dated March 6, 2014, including Fokker F27 Service Bulletin 
Appendix SBF27-28-072/APP01, dated July 17, 2014, including List of 
Drawings/Part Lists, dated July 17, 2014.
    (ii) Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance 
Documentation MCNM-F27-027, dated September 9, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 2130 
EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax +31 
(0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 18, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04137 Filed 2-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P