[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37788-37790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14546]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0039; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-144-AD;
Amendment 39-17087; AD 2012-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD
was prompted by reports of cracks underneath the passenger door in a
butt-joint on the forward fuselage of a Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplane.
This AD requires repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections of
the forward fuselage butt-joints for cracks, and if necessary, a
temporary repair followed by a permanent repair. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct cracking of the butt-joint on the forward
fuselage, which could result in explosive decompression and consequent
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 30, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 30,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
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
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2012 (77
FR 5724). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A report has been received of a crack, detected in a butt-joint
on the forward fuselage of an F28 Mark 0100 aeroplane, underneath
the passenger door.
Investigations revealed that, depending on the configuration of
the aeroplane, one or two butt-joints in the forward fuselage can be
affected.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
explosive decompression and consequent loss of the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive [low frequency eddy current] inspections of the forward
fuselage butt joints for cracks and, when a crack is detected,
accomplishment of a temporary repair. This [EASA] AD also requires
reporting any cracks found to Fokker Services to enable the
development of a modification and the determination of an interval
for a repetitive inspection task, to be incorporated in the ALI
[airworthiness limitations instructions] section of the MRB
[maintenance review board] document. This [EASA] AD is considered to
be an interim measure and further AD action is likely.
Required actions include a permanent repair of the forward fuselage
butt-joints. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI
in the AD docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 5724, February 6,
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the 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 (77 FR 5724, February 6, 2012) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
[[Page 37789]]
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 5724, February 6, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 4 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 3 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 to the U.S. operators to be $1,020, or $255 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of
$3,400 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.
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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 the NPRM (77 FR 5724, February 6,
2012), 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.
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:
2012-12-07 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-17087. Docket No. FAA-
2012-0039; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-144-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 30,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and
0100 airplanes, as identified in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-
115, dated June 16, 2011.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks underneath the
passenger door in a butt-joint on the forward fuselage of a Model
F.28 Mark 0100 airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracking of the butt-joint on the forward fuselage, which
could result in explosive decompression and consequent loss of
control 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
Before the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within
180 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, do a low frequency eddy current inspection of the
forward fuselage butt-joints for cracks, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-
115, dated June 16, 2011. Repeat the inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles. Doing the temporary
repair in paragraph (h) of this AD is terminating action for the
repetitive inspections required by this paragraph. The temporary
repair can also be accomplished if no cracking is found.
(h) Temporary Repair
If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, do a temporary
repair, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011. Doing the
temporary repair is terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(i) Permanent Repair
Within 10,000 flight cycles after installing the temporary
repair, as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, install a permanent
repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA.
(j) Reporting
Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative), to
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150
AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, using the reports form of Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011, of the
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, at the applicable
time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(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.
(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, 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
[[Page 37790]]
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 MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2011-0115, dated June 17, 2011; and Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011; for related
information.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) 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.
(2) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-53-115, dated June 16, 2011.
(3) For Fokker 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
(4) 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.
(5) 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 June 7, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14546 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P