[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62029-62031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21151]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9058; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-024-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V.

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 F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by an analysis which determined that, for 
certain areas of the fuselage, the current threshold of an 
Airworthiness Limitations Section inspection is insufficient to detect 
early crack development. This proposed AD would require one time high 
and low frequency eddy current inspections of the affected fuselage 
skin for cracks and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct cracks in the fuselage skin; such cracking could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 24, 
2016.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 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.

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-2016-
9058; 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-2016-9058; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-024-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 Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive Airworthiness Directive 2016-0029, dated 
February 23, 2016 (referred

[[Page 62030]]

to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Fokker 
Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Recently, a complementary fatigue and damage tolerance analysis 
was accomplished by the design approval holder on the traffic 
collision avoidance system (TCAS) antenna installation on the top of 
the fuselage between station (STA) 6805 and STA7305. Based on the 
results, it was determined that for the affected area, the current 
threshold of the Airworthiness Limitations Section inspection task 
533001-00-20 (special detailed inspection of longitudinal lap 
joints) is insufficient to timely detect possible crack development.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the 
structural integrity of the fuselage in this area.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
published Service Bulletin (SB) SBF100-53-130 to provide inspection 
instructions. For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD 
requires a one-time inspection [high and low frequency eddy current 
inspections for cracks] of the fuselage skin around the largest TCAS 
antenna external doubler and of the longitudinal lap joint at 
stringer (STR) 37 between fuselage STA6805 and STA7305 [and repair 
if necessary. This [EASA] AD is considered to be an interim action 
and further [EASA] AD action may follow.
    More information on this subject can be found in Fokker Services 
All Operators Message AOF100.199.

    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-2016-
9058.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-130, dated December 
01, 2015. This service information describes one-time high and low 
frequency eddy current inspections for cracks of the fuselage skin. 
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.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 8 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85             $680
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
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 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.


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-2016-9058; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NM-024-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 24, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 11244 
through 11407 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an analysis which determined that, for 
certain areas of the fuselage, the current threshold of an

[[Page 62031]]

Airworthiness Limitations Section inspection is insufficient to 
detect early crack development. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the fuselage skin; such cracking could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within the compliance time specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, do high and low frequency eddy 
current inspections for cracks in the fuselage skin around the 
largest traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) antenna external 
doubler and of the longitudinal lap joint at fuselage stringer STR37 
between fuselage station (STA) STA6805 and STA7305, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-53-130, dated December 01, 2015.
    (1) For airplanes having 45,000 or more flight cycles as of the 
effective date of this AD, since the date of issuance of the 
original airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness: Do the high and low 
frequency eddy current inspections within 750 flight cycles after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes having 40,000 or more flight cycles, but less 
than 45,000 flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, since 
the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or 
the date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness: Do the high and low frequency eddy current 
inspections within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD.

(h) Corrective Action

    If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair 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).

(i) 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 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0029, dated February 23, 
2016, 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-2016-9058.
    (2) 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. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 2016.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21151 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P