AD 96-20-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes, that requires modification of the passenger door lock warning system. This amendment is prompted by reports that the passenger door opened during flight due to an improperly locked door; additionally, the door warning signal was not sufficiently visible to alert the flight crew of this condition. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the flight crew is aware of an unlocked passenger door prior to takeoff of the airplane. This condition, if not corrected, could result in inadvertent opening of the passenger door while the airplane is in flight.

Final rule

96-20-04 FOKKER: Amendment 39-9770. Docket 95-NM-152-AD.
Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 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 (b) 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 inadvertent opening of the passenger door while the airplane is in flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the passenger door lock warning system at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) For airplanes in post-Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-72 configuration: Accomplish the modification within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-101, Revision 1, dated August 24, 1992.

(2) For airplanes in pre-Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-72 configuration: Accomplish the modification within 1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F28/52-112, dated February 1, 1995.

(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.

(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the following Fokker service bulletins, as applicable, which contain the specified effective pages:

Service Bulletin
Referenced and Date

Page Number
Revision Level
Shown on Page
Date
Shown on Page
F28/52-101,
Revision 1,
August 24, 1992
1-6

7-13
1

Original
August 24, 1992

November 1, 1988
F28/52-112,
February 1, 1995
1-16
Original
February 1, 1995

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 4, 1996.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 4, 1996 (61 FR 15002). That action proposed to require modification of the passenger door lock warning system.

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

Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request for Guidance Prior to Modification
A second commenter supports the proposed compliance times. However, this commenter suggests that the manufacturer provide all affected operators with specific guidance for use during the period prior to implementation of the modification. The commenter notes that this may entail special preflight inspectionsor equipment operation. The commenter makes this suggestion due to the high significance of a failure that could occur prior to the time accomplishment of the modification is required.

The FAA agrees with the commenter s suggestion that additional guidance or procedures may be useful to operators prior to accomplishment of the modification to ensure that passenger doors are closed properly prior to takeoff. The FAA has forwarded this suggestion to the manufacturer to determine if any additional information may be disseminated to operators in the interim to aid in avoidance of the addressed unsafe condition. However, the FAA does not intend to require interim action in this final rule. Therefore, no change to the final rule is necessary.

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

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 37Fokker Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 22 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $865 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $80,845, or $2,185 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: