[Federal Register: June 30, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 126)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 37510-37512]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25219; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-259-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and 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 F27 Mark 050 and Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100
airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitively removing the two
existing escape rope assemblies in the flight compartment and
installing new escape rope assemblies. This proposed AD results from
reports of findings of small cracks in the polyester assembly block in
which the cotton escape rope is stored. A test revealed that the escape
ropes had deteriorated over time, and the load capability was
considerably reduced. We are proposing this AD to ensure that
flightcrew members safely reach the ground after exiting the flight
compartment window during an emergency evacuation.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
[[Page 37511]]
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.
Contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep,
the Netherlands, for service information identified in this proposed
AD.
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-2006-
25219; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-259-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.
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 Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and Model F.28
Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes with escape rope assemblies in the flight
compartment. The CAA-NL advises that some operators reported finding
small cracks in the polyester assembly block in which the cotton escape
rope is stored. To establish the strength of the escape rope in the
flight compartment after subsequent repair of the assembly block, a
tensile test was done which revealed that the ropes had deteriorated
over time, and the load bearing capability was considerably reduced.
Correcting this condition would ensure that the flightcrew safely reach
the ground after exiting the flight compartment window during an
emergency evacuation.
Relevant Service Information
Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-25-
059 (for Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes) and Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-25-099 (for Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes), both dated
June 28, 2004. The service bulletins describe procedures for removing
the two existing escape rope assemblies in the flight compartment and
installing new escape rope assemblies. The service bulletins also
specify sending the removed escape ropes to Fokker Services B.V.
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 2004-159, dated December 24, 2004, 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, except as discussed under ``Differences Among
Proposed AD, Dutch Airworthiness Directive, and Service Information.''
Differences Among Proposed AD, Dutch Airworthiness Directive, and
Service Information
The Dutch airworthiness directive requires amending the airplane
maintenance schedule within one year after the effective date of the
Dutch airworthiness directive to include a new discard task for the
escape ropes after 6 years time-in-service. However, this proposed AD
does not mandate a change to the maintenance schedule, but would
instead require repeating the removal of the existing escape rope
assemblies and installation of new escape rope assemblies every 72
months. These actions are essentially the same as the discard task
(which would include replacement after discarding the escape ropes)
required by the Dutch airworthiness directive.
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service
bulletins describe procedures for sending the escape ropes to Fokker
Service B.V. after removal, this proposed AD would not require those
actions. We do not have the authority to direct operators to return
defective components to the parts manufacturer; we can only require
repair or replacement of defective components that are installed on the
airplane.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed removal and installation would take about 2 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts
would cost between $387 and $425 per airplane, depending on airplane
configuration. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is between $1,094 and $1,170, or between
$547 and $585 per airplane, per removal and installation.
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.
[[Page 37512]]
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 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-2006-25219; Directorate
Identifier 2005-NM-259-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 31,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 and Model F.28
Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, certificated in any category; with
escape rope assemblies in the flight compartment.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of findings of small cracks in
the polyester assembly block in which the cotton escape rope is
stored. A test revealed that the escape ropes had deteriorated over
time, and the load capability was considerably reduced. We are
issuing this AD to ensure that flightcrew members safely reach the
ground after exiting the flight compartment window during an
emergency evacuation.
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.
Replacement
(f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove
the two existing escape rope assemblies in the flight compartment
and install new escape rope assemblies in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-25-59
(for Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes); and Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-25-099 (for Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes); both
dated June 28, 2004. Repeat the removal and installation thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 72 months.
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 Sec.
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 2004-159, dated December 24,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5873 Filed 6-29-06; 8:45 am]
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