[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68154-68156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-174-AD; Amendment 39-10266; AD 98-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 
4000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
series airplanes, that requires a one-time visual inspection of the 
rear cargo door and luggage auxiliary structure for corrosion, 
repetitive borescope inspections of the rear cargo door, and removal 
and repair of any corrosion found during the inspections. This 
amendment also requires the drilling of drain holes and application of 
a corrosion preventive and sealing compound inside the rear cargo door, 
and modification of the rear cargo door to aid in future routine 
borescope inspections. This amendment is prompted by reports of 
corrosion being found in the affected areas on several of the affected 
airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such corrosion, which could result in structural failure of the cargo 
door and loss of the door during flight, and consequent rapid 
decompression, aerodynamic instability, and/or damage to other fuselage 
structures.


[[Page 68155]]


DATES: Effective February 4, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on May 30, 1997 (62 FR 29308). That action proposed to require 
a one-time visual inspection of the rear cargo door and luggage 
auxiliary structure for corrosion, repetitive borescope inspections of 
the rear cargo door, and removal and repair of any corrosion found 
during the inspections. That action also required the drilling of drain 
holes and application of a corrosion preventive and sealing compound 
inside the rear cargo door, and modification of the rear cargo door to 
aid in future routine borescope inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter indicates that the proposed rule would have limited 
impact on its operations since it intends to retire the remainder of 
its fleet of affected airplanes.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 37 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 13 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required initial inspection, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. The FAA has no way of determining how 
many repetitive inspections the owners/operators will incur over the 
life of the affected airplanes. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the initial inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $28,860, or $780 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 27 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to 
the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$59,940, or $1,620 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

98-01-02 Fokker: Amendment 39-10266. Docket 96-NM-174-AD.

    Applicability: All F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 corrosion in the rear cargo door, which could result 
in structural failure of the cargo door and loss of the door during 
flight, and consequent rapid decompression, aerodynamic instability, 
and/or damage to other fuselage structures, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) 
of this AD, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F28-52-111, 
dated March 12, 1994.
    (1) Perform a one-time visual inspection of the rear cargo door 
and luggage auxiliary structure for corrosion. If any corrosion is 
found, prior to further flight, remove and repair it.
    (2) Drill drain holes and apply a corrosion preventive and 
sealing compound inside the rear cargo door.
    (3) Modify the rear cargo door to provide inspection holes for 
borescope inspections.
    (b) Within 6,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 years after 
accomplishing the visual inspection required by paragraph (a)(1) of 
this AD, whichever occurs first; and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 6,000 hours TIS or 3 years, whichever occurs first: Perform a 
borescope inspection of the rear cargo door for corrosion in 
accordance with

[[Page 68156]]

Chapter 52-30-2 of the F28 Maintenance Manual. If any corrosion is 
detected, prior to further flight, remove and repair it in 
accordance with the maintenance manual.
    (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.
    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F28-52-111, 
dated March 12, 1994. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Fokker 
Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN 
Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA No. 1995-126 (A), dated November 30, 
1995.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 4, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 22, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-34003 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U