AD 95-17158

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 36078-36080] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-17158]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-52-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require a visual inspection to detect damage to the flexible fuel drain line of the auxiliary power unit (APU), and replacement of the drain line, if necessary. This proposal also would require installation of two additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel supply line of the APU. This proposal is prompted by reports of electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain line and the APU starter motor. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such electrical arcing, which could result in a fire in the APU.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-52-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 Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2141; fax (206) 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 95-NM-52-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-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-52-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

[[Page 36079]]

Discussion

The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. The RLD has advised that it has received reports of electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain line of the auxiliary power unit (APU) and the positive terminal of the APU starter motor. Investigation has revealed that the flexible fuel drain line can move and contact the positive terminal of the APU starter motor, which may result in electrical arcing during an APU start. This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing and a subsequent fire in the APU. Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-49-023, dated November 20, 1992, which describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection to detect damage to the APU flexible fuel drain line, including the braiding, and replacement of the drain line, if necessary. The service bulletin also describes procedures for the installation of two additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel supply line, which is in a fixed position. The clamps will prevent the flexible fuel drain line from contacting the positive terminal of the APU starter motor, and subsequently causing electrical arcing in the APU. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Netherlands airworthiness directive BLA 92-139, dated November 27, 1992, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands. This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is 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. 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 a one-time visual inspection to detect damage to the APU flexible fuel drain line and its braiding, and replacement of the drain line with a new or serviceable drain line, if necessary. The proposed AD also would require the installation of two additional clamps to secure the flexible fuel drain line to the fuel supply line. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously. As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement. The FAA estimates that 63 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $75 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,285, or $195 per airplane. The total cost impact figure discussed above is 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. 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

FOKKER: Docket 95-NM-52-AD.

Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, serial numbers 11244 through 11405 inclusive, 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent electrical arcing between the flexible fuel drain line and starter motor positive terminal of the auxiliary power unit (APU), which could lead to a fire in the APU; accomplish the following: (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the auxiliary power unit (APU) to detect damage of the flexible fuel drain line and its braiding,

[[Page 36080]] in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-49-023, dated November 20, 1992. (1) If no damage is detected, prior to further flight, install two additional clamps on the fuel supply line and flexible fuel drain line, in accordance with the service bulletin. (2) If any damage is detected, prior to further flight, replace the flexible fuel drain line with a new or serviceable drain line, and install two additional clamps on the fuel supply line and flexible fuel drain line, in accordance with the service bulletin. (b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(c) 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1995. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 95-17158 Filed 7-12-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U