[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55345-55346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27602]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-250-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark
0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the
aft cabin sidewall area to improve decompression venting. For certain
airplanes, this proposal also would require modification of the aft
wardrobe/stowage area door and installation of decompression panels to
improve decompression venting. This proposal is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent damage to the cabin floor in the event of sudden
decompression in the cargo compartment, which could result in injury to
passengers, reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and the loss
of airplane systems.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 16, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-250-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O.
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-250-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-250-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that the decompression venting provisions in
the aft cabin sidewall area and in the aft wardrobe/stowage area are
inadequate in reducing the pressure differential between the passenger
and cargo compartments in the event of a sudden decompression of the
cargo compartment. Such inadequate reduction in the pressure
differential could result in damage to the cabin floor. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in injury to passengers, reduced
structural integrity of the airplane, and loss of airplane systems.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-25-082, Revision 1, dated
May 7, 1998, which describes procedures for modification of the aft
cabin sidewall area to improve decompression venting. For airplanes
equipped with an aft service/emergency door, Fokker also has issued
Service Bulletin SBF100-25-083, dated April 30, 1998, which describes
procedures for modification of the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and
installation of decompression panels to improve decompression venting.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
RLD classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA 1998-065 (A), dated May 29, 1998, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
Netherlands.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RLD has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
RLD, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same
[[Page 55346]]
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would
require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 127 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
For all airplanes, it would take approximately 12 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed modification of the aft cabin
sidewall area, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $3,450 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $529,590, or $4,170 per airplane.
For airplanes equipped with an aft service/emergency door (70
airplanes), it would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the modification of the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and
installation of decompression panels, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $9,000 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $655,200, or $9,360 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker Services B.V.: Docket 98-NM-250-AD.
Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial
numbers 11244 through 11504 inclusive, 11506, 11507, 11509, 11512
through 11515 inclusive, 11517, 11519, 11520, 11522, 11523, and
11527; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent damage to the cabin floor in the event of sudden
decompression in the cargo compartment, which could result in injury
to passengers, reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and the
loss of airplane systems, accomplish the following:
(a) For airplanes listed in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
082, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1998: Within 26 months after the
effective date of this AD, modify the aft cabin sidewall area to
improve decompression venting in accordance with Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF100-25-082, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1998.
(b) For airplanes listed in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-
083, dated April 30, 1998: Within 26 months after the effective date
of this AD, modify the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and install
decompression panels to improve decompression venting in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-25-083, dated April 30, 1998.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA 1998-065 (A), dated May 29, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27602 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U