AD 2004-03-20

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6541-6542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 04-2573]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-333-AD; Amendment 39-13464; AD 2004-03-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 
3000, and 4000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
series airplanes, that requires repetitive general visual inspections, 
lubrication, and tests of the release mechanism for the service/
emergency door; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also 
provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
and lubrication. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the 
release mechanism on the service/emergency door, which could result in 
the inability to open the service/emergency door during an emergency 
evacuation. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective March 17, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 
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: 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: 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 F.28 Mark 
1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on December 5, 2003 (68 FR 67981). That action 
proposed to require repetitive general visual inspections, lubrication, 
and tests of the release mechanism for the service/emergency door; and 
corrective actions if necessary. That action also proposed an optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections and lubrication.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 6 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD, that it will take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,850, or $975 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-03-20 Fokker Services B.V: Amendment 39-13464. Docket 2001-NM-
333-AD.

    Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series 
airplanes; as listed in the effectivity of Fokker Service Bulletin 
F28/52-118, dated June 25, 2001; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the release mechanism on the service/
emergency door, which could result in the inability to open the 
service/emergency door during an emergency evacuation, accomplish 
the following:

Inspection, Lubrication, Testing, and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection (including measurement of the torque for 
the actuating mechanism torsion spring), lubricate, and test to 
verify proper

[[Page 6542]]

operation of the emergency release mechanism of the service/
emergency door by accomplishing all of the actions specified in 
paragraphs A. through R. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-118, dated June 25, 2001.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
    (1) If no discrepant or corroded part is found during the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Repeat the actions 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 1,500 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs first.
    (2) If any discrepancy (including a torque value that exceeds 
the limits specified in the applicable service bulletin, an 
improperly installed part, or a damaged part) is found, or if a 
corroded part is found, during any inspection required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD: Before further flight, do the applicable corrective 
action in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin. Repeat the actions specified in paragraph (a) of 
this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours or 
18 months, whichever occurs first.

Optional Terminating Action and Concurrent Service Bulletin

    (b) Replacement of the Bowden cable-operated service/emergency 
door with a push-pull rod-operated service/emergency door, in 
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-89, dated October 31, 
1983, constitutes terminating action only for the repetitive 
inspections and lubrication required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) For airplanes with serial numbers 11003 to 11051 inclusive, 
11991, and 11992: Prior to or concurrent with paragraph (b) of this 
AD, accomplish the modification specified in part VII of Fokker 
Service Bulletin F28/52-55, Revision 1, dated February 28, 1977.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin F28/52-118, dated June 25, 2001. 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., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-
Vennep, 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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 2001-094, dated July 31, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2573 Filed 2-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P