[Federal Register: November 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 223)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67077-67079]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20no06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26355; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-198-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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed
AD would require a one-time inspection of the fuel lines located in the
left and right main landing gear (MLG) bays to determine the clearance
between the fuel and hydraulic lines. If necessary, this proposed AD
would also require an inspection of fuel lines for chafing, replacement
of a chafed fuel line with a new fuel line, and the repositioning of
existing clamps and installation of additional clamps between the fuel
and hydraulic lines. This proposed AD results from a fuel leak found in
the left MLG bay. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
inadequate clearance between fuel and hydraulic lines in the MLG bay,
which could lead to chafing of a fuel line and fuel leakage. A fuel
leak near hot brakes could result in a fire in the MLG bay.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20,
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.
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., Technical Services Dept., 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 98057-3356; 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-
26355; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-198-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
[[Page 67078]]
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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100
airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that a fuel leak was found in the left
main landing gear (MLG) bay, on a Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplane.
Investigation revealed that inadequate clearance between the fuel and
hydraulic lines in the MLG bay led to chafing of the fuel line and
consequent fuel leakage. A fuel leak near hot brakes, if not corrected,
could result in a fire in the MLG bay.
Relevant Service Information
Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-
041, dated July 20, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for
a one-time inspection of the fuel lines located in the left and right
MLG bays to determine the clearance between the fuel and hydraulic
lines. If the clearance is less than 3 mm (millimeters), the service
bulletin specifies inspecting the fuel line for chafing and doing
corrective actions as necessary. If no chafing is found, the corrective
action is to reposition the existing clamps and install additional
clamps to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and
hydraulic lines, as necessary. If chafing is found, the corrective
actions are (1) To replace the chafed fuel line with a new fuel line
and (2) to reposition the existing clamps and install additional clamps
to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and hydraulic
lines, as necessary. 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 NL-2005-010 R1, dated September 7, 2005, 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.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
The ``inspection'' specified in the Fokker service bulletin is
referred to as a ``general visual inspection'' in this proposed AD. We
have included the definition for a general visual inspection in a note
in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 9 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $720, or $80
per airplane.
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 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-2006-26355; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NM-198-AD.
[[Page 67079]]
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
20, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100
airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a fuel leak found in the left main
landing gear (MLG) bay. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
inadequate clearance between fuel and hydraulic lines in the MLG
bay, which could lead to chafing of a fuel line and fuel leakage. A
fuel leak near hot brakes could result in a fire in the MLG bay.
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.
Inspections for Clearance and Chafing
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a
general visual inspection of the fuel lines located in the left and
right MLG bays to determine the clearance between the fuel and
hydraulic lines, in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-041, dated July
20, 2005. If the clearance of a fuel line is 3 mm (millimeters) or
more, no further action is required by this AD for that fuel line
only. If the clearance of a fuel line is less than 3 mm, before
further flight, do a general visual inspection of the fuel line for
chafing in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions
of the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``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
ensure visual access to all 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.''
Corrective Actions
(g) If the fuel line is found chafed during the inspection for
chafing specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, before further flight
after that inspection, do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this AD. If the fuel line is not found chafed, within 6
months after the inspection for chafing, do the actions in paragraph
(g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the chafed fuel line with a new fuel line in
accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF100-28-041, dated July 20, 2005.
(2) Reposition the existing clamps and install additional clamps
to obtain a minimum clearance of 3 mm between the fuel and hydraulic
lines, as applicable, in accordance with Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-28-
041, dated July 20, 2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(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
(i) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2005-010 R1, dated
September 7, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19538 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
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