[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61239-61241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21054]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22748; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-127-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require modifying the passenger door and installing 
new placards. This proposed AD results from reports of the airstairs-
type passenger door opening during flight. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, or ejection of a passenger 
or crew member out the door during flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 21, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the 
Netherlands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22748; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-127-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

[[Page 61240]]

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 
0100 airplanes. The CAA-NL advises of several cases of the airstairs-
type passenger door opening during flight on a Model F.28 Mark 0100 
airplane. Investigators in all cases concluded that the incidents were 
not caused by defects in the design of the operating mechanism or the 
warning system, but probably resulted from incorrect use of the locking 
handle. Opening of the passenger door during flight could result in 
rapid decompression of the airplane, or a passenger or crew member 
being ejected out the door during flight.
    The passenger door operating mechanism and warning system is the 
same on both Model F.28 Mark 0100 and 0700 airplanes. Therefore, both 
of these airplane models are subject to the identified unsafe 
condition.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-52-069, 
Revision 3, dated December 18, 2002; including Manual Change 
Notification--Operational Documentation MCNO-F100-031, dated December 
3, 2001, and Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation 
MCNM-F100-064, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2002; and including the 
drawings listed in the following table. (To conform to certain Office 
of the Federal Register requirements for incorporating these materials 
by reference, the table identifies the date of the service bulletin for 
undated drawings.)

                               Drawings Included in Service Bulletin SBF100-52-069
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           Fokker drawing                  Sheet               Issue                          Date
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W41074..............................             065  DB.....................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             003  L......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             005  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             006  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             007  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             008  M......................  December 18, 2002.
W42310..............................             001  D......................  August 14, 2000.
W42310..............................             002  B......................  August 14, 2000.
W42310..............................             003  F......................  June 11, 2001.
W59243..............................             024  AU.....................  June 12, 2001.
W59261..............................             017  W......................  August 9, 2002.
W59261..............................             025  S......................  July 3, 2001.
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    The service bulletin describes procedures for modifying the 
passenger door. The modification involves installing additional door 
status indicators above the door, including relays and a flasher, a 
door status LED indicator, a circuit breaker, and electrical wiring; 
and making a cut-out in the cover above the passenger door. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for installing improved placards at 
the handle and on the door. Accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. The CAA-NL mandated the service information and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive 2002-057, dated April 29, 2002, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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 CAA-NL has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the CAA-
NL's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that 
we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                         Number of U.S.-
                        Action                            Work hours     Average labor       Parts          Cost per       registered       Fleet cost
                                                                         rate per hour                      airplane        airplanes
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Modify door and install placards......................           17-18             $65          $2,645     $3,750-3,815               2     $7,500-7,630
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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

[[Page 61241]]

products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2005-22748; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-127-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-52-069, Revision 3, dated December 18, 2002.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of the airstairs-type passenger 
door opening during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent rapid 
decompression of the airplane, or ejection of a passenger or crew 
member out the door during flight.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installation

    (f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the passenger door and install new placards, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-
069, Revision 3, dated December 18, 2002; including Manual Change 
Notification--Operational Documentation MCNO-F100-031, dated 
December 3, 2001, and Manual Change Notification--Maintenance 
Documentation MCNO-F100-064, Revision 2, dated December 18, 2002; 
and including the drawings listed in Table 1 of this AD. To conform 
to certain Office of the Federal Register requirements for 
incorporating these materials by reference, the table identifies the 
date of the service bulletin for undated drawings.

                          Table 1.--Drawings Included in Service Bulletin SBF100-52-069
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           Fokker drawing                  Sheet               Issue                          Date
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W41074..............................             065  DB.....................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             003  L......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             005  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             006  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             007  E......................  December 18, 2002.
W41418..............................             008  M......................  December 18, 2002.
W42310..............................             001  D......................  August 14, 2000.
W42310..............................             002  B......................  August 14, 2000.
W42310..............................             003  F......................  June 11, 2001.
W59243..............................             024  AU.....................  June 12, 2001.
W59261..............................             017  W......................  August 9, 2002.
W59261..............................             025  S......................  July 3, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) Dutch airworthiness directive 2002-057, dated April 29, 
2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21054 Filed 10-20-05; 8:45 am]
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