Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 150 (Thursday, August 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51328-51330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8469; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-105-AD; 
Amendment 39-18602; AD 2016-16-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed 
insufficient measures were taken to ensure the correct locking of the 
attachments of the fuel quantity tank units (FQTUs) in each wing tank. 
When an FQTU becomes loose, this could lead to insufficient clearance 
between the FQTU and the adjacent tank structure or other metal parts, 
and under certain conditions, create an ignition source inside the wing 
fuel vapor space. This AD requires modifying the FQTUs by applying 
sealant to cover the nuts, washers, and stud ends at the FQTU 
attachments in each main wing tank. This AD also requires revising the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating a 
fuel airworthiness limitation item and a critical design configuration 
control limitation (CDCCL). We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
ignition source in the wing fuel tank vapor space, which could result 
in a wing fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 8, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 8, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 
2130 EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax 
+31 (0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-8469.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8469; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Fokker Services B.V. 
Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on January 20, 2016 (81 FR 3056) 
(``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0106, dated May 7, 2014 (referred to after 
this the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Fokker Services B.V. 
Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Prompted by an accident * * *, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) published Special Federal Aviation Regulation 
(SFAR) 88 [(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001)], and the Joint Aviation 
Authorities (JAA) published Interim Policy INT/POL/25/12.
    The review conducted by Fokker Services on the Fokker F28 
design, in response to these regulations, revealed that insufficient 
measures were taken to ensure the correct locking of the attachments 
of the Fuel Quantity Tank Units (FQTUs). When a FQTU becomes loose, 
this could lead to insufficient clearance between the FQTU and the 
adjacent tank structure or other metal parts and, under certain 
conditions, create an ignition source inside the wing fuel tank 
vapour space.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a 
wing fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
developed a modification to ensure that each FQTU remains properly 
attached.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
application of sealant covering the nuts, washers and stud ends at 
the FQTU attachment in each wing tank [and a revision to the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a 
fuel airworthiness limitation item and a CDCCL]. More information on 
this subject can be found in Fokker Services All Operators Message 
AOF28.038#02.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8469.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

[[Page 51329]]

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF28-28-050, 
Revision 3, dated December 11, 2014. The service information describes 
the fuel airworthiness limitation item and the CDCCL. Fokker Services 
B.V. has also issued Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, Revision 1, dated 
January 9, 2014, which describes procedures for applying sealant to the 
attachment nuts, washers, and stud ends of the FQTU; and Manual Change 
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F28-037, Rev 1, dated 
January 9, 2014, which describes related changes in the affected 
maintenance documents.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification and maintenance        7 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $595           $2,975
 program revision.                   hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

2016-16-04 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-18602; Docket No. FAA-
2015-8469; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-105-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 
2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes, certificated in any category, all 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed 
insufficient measures were taken to ensure the correct locking of 
the attachments of the fuel quantity tank units (FQTUs) in each wing 
tank. When an FQTU becomes loose, this could lead to insufficient 
clearance between the FQTU and the adjacent tank structure or other 
metal parts, and under certain conditions, create an ignition source 
inside the wing fuel vapor space. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
an ignition source in the wing fuel tank vapor space, which could 
result in a wing fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Modification of the FQTUs

    At the next scheduled opening of the fuel tanks after the 
effective date of this AD, but no later than 84 months after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the FQTU in each main wing tank by 
applying sealant to cover the nuts, washers, and stud ends of the 
FQTU attachments, and do an inspection for leakage of the tank 
access panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, Revision 1, dated January 9, 
2014; and the information in Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F28-037, Rev 1, dated January 9, 
2014. If any fuel leakage is found, before further flight, reapply 
the sealant, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, Revision 1, dated January 9, 
2014; and the information in Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F28-037, Rev 1, dated January 9, 
2014.

[[Page 51330]]

(h) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Before further flight after completing the modification 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the 
airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating the fuel airworthiness limitation item and critical 
design configuration control limitation (CDCCL) specified in 
paragraph 1.L.(1)(c) of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, 
Revision 1, dated January 9, 2014. The initial compliance times for 
these tasks are at the latest of the times specified in paragraphs 
(h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) At the applicable time specified in Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF28-28-050, Revision 3, dated December 11, 2014.
    (2) Before further flight after completing the modification 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (3) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or 
CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are 
approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, dated 
June 30, 2010.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom 
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Fokker Services B.V.'s 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0106, dated May 7, 2014, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-8469.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation 
MCNM-F28-037, Rev 1, dated January 9, 2014.
    (ii) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-050, Revision 3, dated 
December 11, 2014.
    (iii) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-054, Revision 1, dated 
January 9, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 2130 
EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax +31 
(0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18171 Filed 8-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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