[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 6 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1277-1278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-362]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-9879; AD 97-01-08]
RIN: 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 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 certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 
600, and 700 series airplanes, that requires a one-time visual 
inspection to detect missing rivet heads or loose rivets of the 
applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the upper and lower wing 
skin, and repair, if necessary. In lieu of the one-time visual 
inspection or in addition to that inspection, the AD also requires 
replacement of certain rivets with certain new rivets in all applicable 
rib-to-stringer connections of the upper and lower wings. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of missing rivet heads at the rib-to-
stringer connections of the upper and lower wing skin at stringers 5 
and 6. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced 
structural integrity of the wings that is caused by problems associated 
with missing and/or loose rivets.

DATES: Effective February 13, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 13, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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: Ruth E. Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1721; fax (206) 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 certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on July 24, 1996 (61 FR 38407). That action proposed 
to require a one-time visual inspection to detect missing rivet heads 
or loose rivets of the applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the 
upper and lower skin, and repair, if necessary. In lieu of the one-time 
visual inspection, or in addition to that inspection, that action also 
proposed to require replacement of certain rivets with certain new 
rivets in all applicable rib-to-stringer connections of the upper and 
lower wings.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request to Cite the Latest Dutch AD

    One commenter notes that the preamble to the notice stated that 
``the RLD classified [Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November 
15, 1994] as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive BLA 93-
094 (A), dated July 16, 1993 * * *.'' The commenter points out that the 
reference to BLA 93-094 (A) is incorrect, since that BLA 93-094 (A) was 
issued in 1993, a year earlier than the release of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F27/57-74. The commenter states that the Dutch BLA that 
mandated that service bulletin is BLA 94-148, dated November 24, 1994.
    The FAA concurs. The FAA inadvertently referenced the wrong BLA 
number and issue date in the preamble to the notice; it should have 
referenced BLA 94-148 as the applicable Dutch airworthiness directive. 
However, since that information is not restated in this final rule, no 
specific change is necessary.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 6 Fokker Model 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    The required inspection will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection 
action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240 per airplane.
    The required replacement will take approximately 19 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
The cost of required parts will be nominal. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $1,140 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,

[[Page 1278]]

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:

97-01-08 Fokker: Amendment 39-9879. Docket 96-NM-28-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 
700 series airplanes, serial numbers 10653 through 10692 inclusive; 
on which Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletins F27/57-68 and F27/57-70 has not been accomplished; 
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 (d) 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 loose or missing rivets at the rib-to-stringer 
connections of the upper and lower wing skin at stringers 5 and 6, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wings; 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD: Prior to the 
accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or within 2 months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a 
one-time visual inspection to detect missing rivet heads or loose 
rivets of the applicable stringer-to-rib connections in the upper 
and lower skin, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November 
15, 1994.
    (1) If no missing rivet head and no loose rivet is detected, no 
further action is required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (2) If any missing rivet head or loose rivet is detected, prior 
to further flight, repair the affected rib-to-stringer connection, 
in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.
    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace rivets having part number (P/N) MS20600AD4W2 with new 
rivets having P/N CR3553P4 in all applicable rib-to-stringer 
connections of the upper and lower wings, in accordance with Part 1 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/
57-74, dated November 15, 1994.
    (c) Airplanes on which the replacement required by paragraph (b) 
of this AD is performed within the compliance time specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD are not required to accomplish the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (d) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The inspection, repair, and replacement shall be done in 
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74, dated November 
15, 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 Aircraft USA, 
Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 13, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-362 Filed 1-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U