[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37485-37488]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13545]

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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2016 / Rules
and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8138; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-112-AD;
Amendment 39-18552; AD 2016-12-03]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-17-10,
for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000
airplanes. AD 2011-17-10 required inspecting for a by-pass wire between
the housing of each in-tank fuel quantity indication (FQI) cable plug
and the cable shield, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2011-17-
10 also required revising the airplane maintenance program. This new AD
removes certain airplanes from the applicability. This new AD applies
only to Model F.28 Mark 1000 airplanes and also requires revising the
airplane maintenance or inspection program by incorporating the
instructions in revised service information. This AD was prompted by
the issuance of revised service information to update the critical
design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs) that address
potential ignition sources inside fuel tanks. We are issuing this AD to
prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, which, in
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 15,
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
September 16, 2011 (76 FR 50111, August 12, 2011).

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_ADDRESS>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<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket Number FAA-2015-8138.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket Number FAA-
2015-8138; 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
Operations office (telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES section.

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<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2011-17-10, Amendment 39-16774 (76 FR 50111,
August 12, 2011) (``AD 2011-17-10''). AD 2011-17-10 applied to all
Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2016 (81 FR 34) (``the
NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by the issuance of revised service
information to update the CDCCLs that address potential ignition
sources inside fuel tanks. The NPRM proposed to retain the requirements
of AD 2011-17-10, and to require revising the airplane maintenance or
inspection program by incorporating the instructions in the revised
service information. The NPRM also proposed to remove certain airplanes
from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent potential
ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0111, dated May 8, 2014 (referred to after
this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Model F.28 Mark 1000
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    [T]he FAA published Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR)
88 [Amendment 21-78 (66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). Subsequently, SFAR
88 was amended by: Amendment 21-82 (67 FR 57490, September 10, 2002;
corrected at 67 FR 70809, November 26, 2002) and Amendment 21-83 (67
FR 72830, December 9, 2002; corrected at 68 FR 37735, June 25, 2003,
to change ``21-82'' to ``21-83'')], and the Joint Aviation
Authorities (JAA) published Interim Policy INT/POL/25/12.
    The review conducted by Fokker Services on the F28 design, in
response to these regulations, revealed that on certain aeroplanes,
an interrupted shield contact may exist or develop between the
housing of an in-tank Fuel Quantity Indication (FQI) cable plug and
the cable shield of the shielded FQI system cables in the main and
collector fuel tanks, which can, under certain conditions, form a
spark gap.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, may create an
ignition source in the fuel tank vapour space, possibly resulting in
a wing fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the aeroplane.
    To address and correct this unsafe condition, Fokker Services
published Service Bulletin (SB) SBF28-28-053 which provides
instructions, for early production aeroplanes, for a one-time
inspection to check for the presence of a by-pass wire between the
housing of each in-tank FQI cable plug and the cable shield and,
depending on findings, for the installation of a by-pass wire. In
addition, SBF28-28-053 provides a Critical

Design Configuration Control Limitation (CDCCL) item to make certain
that the by-pass wire remains installed on these aeroplanes.
    On later production aeroplanes, an improved plug Part Number (P/
N) 20P227-2 was introduced with a better shield connection to the
housing of the plug. Therefore, SBF28-28-053 (original issue and
Revision 1) also provided a CDCCL item to ensure that this type of
plug remains installed on those aeroplanes.
    EASA issued AD 2010-0217 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2011-17-
10, Amendment 39-16774 (76 FR 50111, August 12, 2011)] to require
accomplishment of the instructions related to the by-pass wire and
implementation of the CDCCL items as specified in Fokker Services
SBF28-28-053 Revision 1, as applicable to aeroplane s/n.
    Since EASA AD 2010-0217 was issued, it was identified that P/N
20P227-1 and 20P228-1 plugs are also approved and can therefore be
installed on the later production aeroplanes. Prompted by this
finding, Fokker Services issued SBF28-28-055 to address the
implementation of a CDCCL item to make certain that only approved
plug types remain installed on the later production aeroplanes,
while SBF28-28-053 Revision 2 was issued for early production
aeroplanes to address the by-pass wire related actions only.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2011-0184, retaining the
requirements of EASA AD 2010-0217, which was superseded, to require
implementation of the related CDCCL items as specified in Fokker
Services SBF28-28-053 Revision 2, or SBF28-28-055, as applicable to
aeroplane s/n.
    More recently, Fokker Services published Revision 3 of SBF28-28-
053, to eliminate the use of a heat gun in or near to the fuel tank,
and prompted by a change to the definition of the related CDCCL
item. Fokker Services also cancelled SBF28-28-055, due to the
introduction of a revised definition of the CDCCL item that has been
published in Fokker Services SBF28-28-050, Revision 2.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements related to SBF28-28-053 of EASA AD 2011-0184, which is
superseded, but requires those actions to be accomplished in
accordance with the instructions of Fokker Services SBF28-28-053,
Revision 3 (R3).
    All the actions related to SBF28-28-055, as previously required
through paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA AD 2011-0184, are now
addressed by EASA AD 2014-0110 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2014-0110_1.pdf].
* * * * *
    The CDCCL requirement in AD 2011-17-10 for Model F.28 Mark 2000,
3000, and 4000 airplanes is now addressed in other related rulemaking.
Therefore, this AD does not include Model F.28 Mark 2000, 3000, and
4000 airplanes in the applicability.
    This AD also removes airplanes having serial numbers 11993 and
11994 from the applicability because those airplanes were scrapped and
removed from the type certificate data sheet.
    The unsafe condition is the potential of ignition sources inside
fuel tanks. Such ignition sources, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket
No. FAA-2015-8138.

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.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed, except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     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 Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-
053, Revision 3, dated January 9, 2014. The service information
describes procedures for inspecting for a by-pass wire between the
housing of each in-tank FQI cable plug and the cable shield, and
installing a by-pass wire if necessary. The service information also
describes CDCCL Item 1.7 for fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS)
wiring in wing tanks. 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. This
AD adds a requirement to revise the airplane maintenance or inspection
program by incorporating the instructions in revised service
information. The current costs associated with this AD are repeated as
follows for the convenience of affected operators:
    The actions required by AD 2011-17-10 will take about 6 work-hours
per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Required
parts cost about $0 per product. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the actions that were required by AD 2011-17-10 is $510 per
product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions
required by AD 2011-17-10 take about 7 work-hours and require parts
costing $308, for a cost of $903 per product. We have no way of
determining the number of products that may need these actions.
    We also estimate that it takes about 1 work-hour per product to
revise the maintenance or inspection program. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this
AD on U.S. operators to be $425, or $85 per product.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2011-17-10, Amendment 39-16774 (76 FR 50111, August 12, 2011), and
adding the following new AD:

2016-12-03 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-18552. Docket No. FAA-
2015-8138; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-112-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 15, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2011-17-10, Amendment 39-16774 (76 FR 50111,
August 12, 2011) (``AD 2011-17-10'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers (S/Ns) 11003
through 11041 inclusive, and S/Ns 11991 and 11992.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the issuance of revised service
information to update the critical design configuration control
limitations (CDCCLs) that address potential ignition sources inside
fuel tanks. We are issuing this AD to prevent potential ignition
sources inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent
loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection and Installation, With Revised Service
Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2011-17-10, with revised service information. At a scheduled opening
of the fuel tanks, but not later than 84 months after September 16,
2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-17-10), do a general visual
inspection for the presence of a by-pass wire between the housing of
each in-tank fuel quantity indication (FQI) cable plug and the cable
shield, in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 1, dated September
20, 2010; or Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 3, dated
January 9, 2014. As of the effective date of this AD, only Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 3, dated January 9, 2014,
may be used.

(h) Retained Corrective Actions, With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD
2011-17-10, with revised service information. If during the general
visual inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, it is found
that a by-pass wire is not installed: Before the next flight,
install the by-pass wire between the housing of the in-tank FQI
cable plug and the cable shield, in accordance with Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053,
Revision 1, dated September 20, 2010; or Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF28-28-053, Revision 3, dated January 9, 2014. As of the effective
date of this AD, only Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision
3, dated January 9, 2014, may be used.

(i) Retained Maintenance Program Revision To Add Fuel Airworthiness
Limitation, With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD
2011-17-10, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph
(k) of this AD, concurrently with the actions required by paragraph
(g) of this AD, revise the airplane maintenance program by
incorporating CDCCL-1 specified in paragraph 1.L.(1)(c) of Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 1, dated September 20, 2010.

(j) Retained Requirement for No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or
CDCCLs, With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD
2011-17-10 with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (k)
of this AD: After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph
(i) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspection, interval)
and/or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and/or
CDCCLs are approved as an alternative methods of compliance (AMOC)
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (n)(1) of
this AD.

(k) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision To Add Fuel
Airworthiness Limitation

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the
airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by
incorporating CDCCL Item 1.7 as specified in paragraph 1.L.(1)(c) of
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 3, dated January 9,
2014. Accomplishing the revision required by this paragraph
terminates the revision required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

(l) No Alternative CDCCLs

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as
required by paragraph (k) of this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be
used unless the CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (n)(1) of this AD.

(m) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the applicable actions
required by paragraph (k) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 2, dated June 22, 2011. This
document is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(n) 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<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>. Information
may be emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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: As of the effective date of
this AD, 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 B.V. Service's EASA Design Organization Approval
(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature.

(o) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0111, dated May 8, 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-2015-8138.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (p)(5) and (p)(6) of this AD.

(p) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
July 15, 2016.

    (i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 3, dated
January 9, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
September 16, 2011 (76 FR 50111, August 12, 2011).
    (i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF28-28-053, Revision 1, dated
September 20, 2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) 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_ADDRESS>Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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<PHONE_NUMBER>, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13545 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
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