[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20141-20143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10755]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-102-AD]
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: 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 all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require a one-time detailed visual inspection of the forward fuel feed 
lines in the left- and right-hand engine nacelles for chafing; 
replacement of damaged parts with serviceable parts; and modification 
of the supports and improved routing for the high- and low-tension 
leads of the inboard ignition units. 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 chafing on the forward fuel feed lines, which 
could result in fuel leakage and consequent increased risk of fire in 
the engine nacelles.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-102-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-102-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-102-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 all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 
500, 600, and 700 series airplanes. The RLD advises that it has 
received a report of fuel leakage from the right-hand engine nacelle on 
a Fokker F27 Mark 500RF series airplane. Further investigation revealed 
that the leak was caused by a small hole in the forward fuel feed line 
in the engine nacelle. Closer examination showed that the hole was 
caused by interference between the high-tension leads of the nearby 
ignition unit and the affected fuel feed line. One lead appeared to be 
incorrectly supported, resulting in chafing and subsequent damage to 
the fuel feed line. Such chafing, if not corrected, could result in 
fuel leakage and consequent increased risk of fire in the engine 
nacelles.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-62, 
dated September 1, 1997, which describes procedures for a one-time 
detailed visual inspection of the forward fuel feed lines in the left- 
and right-hand engine nacelles for chafing; replacement of damaged 
parts with serviceable parts; and modification of the supports and 
improved routing for the high- and low-tension leads of the inboard 
ignition

[[Page 20142]]

units. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA 1997-094 (A), dated September 30, 1997, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the 
Netherlands.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are 
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 type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and the Relevant Service 
Information

    Operators should note that, unlike the procedures described in 
Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-62, this proposed AD would not permit 
further flight if interference or damage is detected between the 
specified forward fuel lines and ignition high-tension leads. The FAA 
has determined that, because of the safety implications and 
consequences associated with such interference and damage, any related 
damage that is found during the inspection must be corrected prior to 
further flight.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,040, or $60 per 
airplane.
    It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. The cost of required parts would be minimal. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,160, or $240 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-102-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 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 
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 chafing on the forward fuel feed lines, which could 
result in fuel leakage and consequent increased risk of fire in the 
engine nacelles, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time detailed visual inspection of the left- and right-hand 
engine nacelles for chafing of the forward fuel feed lines by the 
high- and low-tension leads of the inboard ignition units, in 
accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin F27/28-62, dated September 1, 1997. If any chafing 
is detected, prior to further flight, replace the fuel line with a 
new fuel line in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the supports and reroute the high- and low-tension leads of the 
inboard ignition units, in accordance with Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-62, 
dated September 1, 1997.
    (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.


[[Page 20143]]


    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA 1997-094 (A), dated September 30, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 16, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10755 Filed 4-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U