AD 96-13-07

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, that currently requires supplemental structural inspections to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or replacement, as necessary, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes. This amendment adds and revises certain significant structural items for which inspection and repair or replacement is necessary. This amendment is prompted by a structural re-evaluation conducted by the manufacturer, which identified additional structural elements where fatigue damage is likely to occur. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes.

Final rule

96-13-07 FOKKER: Amendment 39-9675. Docket 95-NM-253-AD. Supersedes AD 92-19-07, Amendment 39-8365.
Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes, accomplish the following:

NOTE 2: Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(a) Within 6 months after October 21, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365), incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program the inspections, inspection intervals, repairs, or replacements defined in Fokker Structural Integrity Program (SIP) Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through November 1, 1991; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable. The non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP Document provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the inspections required by this AD. If any cracking is detected, inspection results must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the instructions of the SIP Document.

(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program the inspections, inspection intervals, repairs, or replacements defined in Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable. The non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP Document provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the inspections required by this AD. If any cracking is detected, inspection results must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the instructions of the SIP Document.

(c) Cracked structure detected during the inspections required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD must be repaired or replaced, prior to further flight, in accordance with the instructions in Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through November 1, 1991; or Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995; respectively; or in accordance with other data meeting the certification basis of the airplane which is approved by the FAA or by the Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD).

(d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(e) 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.

(f) Certain of the actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through November 1, 1991. The incorporation by reference of that document was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of October 21, 1992 (57 FR 42693). Certain other actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995. The incorporation by reference of this document was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of either document may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, TransportAirplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on August 6, 1996.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 42693, September 16, 1992), which is applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 1996 (61 FR 15906). The action proposed to supersede AD 92-19-07 to continue to require a program of supplemental structural inspections (SIP) to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or replacement, as necessary. The action also proposed to add and revise certain significant structural items (SSI) for which inspection and repair or replacement is necessary.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

Support for the Proposal
The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with as proposed.

Cost Impact
There are approximately 34 Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The actions that are currently required by AD 92-19-07 take approximately 295 work hours per airplane per year to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the requirements of the previously-issued AD that are retained in this new AD action is estimated to be $601,800, or $17,700 per airplane, annually.

The new actions that are required by this new AD action will take approximately 179 additional work hours per airplane per year to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. These actions include the implementation of the inspections, repairs, or replacements specified in the revisions to the SIP Document into an operator's maintenance program; as well as removal, inspection, and installation of structure. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the new requirements of this AD is estimated to be $365,160, or $10,740 per airplane, the first year and annually thereafter.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 42693, September 16, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-9675, to read as follows: