[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75759-75761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26324]



[[Page 75759]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9302; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-037-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 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes equipped with 
Rolls-Royce TAY 650-15 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of 
uncontained engine fan blade failures in Rolls-Royce TAY 650-15 
engines. The fan blade failures occurred due to cracking of the fan 
blades, which was initiated under conditions of fan blade flutter 
during engine ground operation. This proposed AD would require 
installation of a caution placard in the flight compartment. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent certain engine thrust settings during 
ground operation, which can cause the fan blades to flutter and fail, 
resulting in damage to the airplane and possible injury to personnel.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 16, 
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-
9302; 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-2016-9302; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-037-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 2013-0141, dated July 
12, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes 
equipped with Rolls-Royce TAY 650-15 engines. The MCAI states:

    In the past, two F28 [Mark] 0100 aeroplanes with TAY [650-15] 
engines were involved in incidents as a result of uncontained engine 
fan blade failures. The fan blade failures occurred due to cracking 
of the fan blades, which was initiated under conditions of fan blade 
flutter. This fan blade flutter can occur during stabilized reverse 
thrust operation within a specific N1 RPM-range [revolutions per 
minute], known as Keep Out Zone (KOZ), which has been identified to 
be between 57% and 75% N1 RPM.
    To address this potential unsafe condition [which can result in 
damage to the airplane and possible injury to personnel], CAA-NL 
issued AD (BLA) nr. 2002-119 for the aeroplane, while Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA) Germany issued AD (LTA) 2002-090 (later revised) for 
the Rolls-Royce Tay [650-15] engines. More recently, LBA AD 2002-
090R1 was superseded by EASA AD 2013-0070.
    During stabilized forward thrust operation of an engine with the 
aeroplane stationary on the ground (e.g. maintenance engine ground 
running), the same type of fan blade flutter can occur. To ensure 
maintenance personnel awareness of the engine speed KOZ when 
performing engine ground running (in forward or reverse thrust), a 
caution placard must be introduced in the flight compartment.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
installation of a caution placard in the flight compartment, between 
the Standby Engine Indicator (SEI) and the Multi-Functional Display 
Unit (MFDU).

    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-
9302.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-11-027, dated April 18, 
2013. This service information describes procedures for the 
installation of a caution placard.
    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.

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Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install Placard...................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $46             $131             $524
                                     hour = $85.
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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.


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-2016-9302; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NM-037-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 16, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers 
if equipped with Rolls-Royce TAY 650-15 engines.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 11, Placards and 
Markings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncontained engine fan blade 
failures in Rolls-Royce TAY 650-15 engines. The fan blade failures 
occurred due to cracking of the fan blades, which was initiated 
under conditions of fan blade flutter during engine ground 
operation. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain engine thrust 
settings during ground operation, which can cause the fan blades to 
flutter and fail, resulting in damage to the airplane and possible 
injury to personnel.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Install Caution Placard

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, install a 
caution placard in the flight compartment, between the standby 
engine indicator (SEI) and the multi-functional display unit (MFDU), 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-11-027, dated April 18, 2013.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Additional information can 
be found in Fokker All Operators Message AOF100.177 #05, dated April 
18, 2013.

(h) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0141, dated July 12, 2013, 
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-2016-9302.
    (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

[[Page 75761]]

(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 October 25, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26324 Filed 10-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P