[Federal Register: March 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 42)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 11366-11369] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03mr08-17] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2008-0231; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-218-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Fokker F.28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100 Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: To date, there have been at least 10 reported events on Fokker 70 (F28 Mark 0070) and Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) aircraft where the flight crew manually overpowered the autopilot, inadvertently neglecting to disengage the autopilot. * * * When the autopilot is not disengaged, the elevator servomotor is overpowered and the horizontal stabilizer is moved by the Automatic Flight Control & Augmentation System (AFCAS) auto-trim in a direction opposite to the (manual) deflection of the elevator, causing high elevator control forces. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the stabilizer to move to an extreme out-of-trim position, creating the (remote) possibility of loss of control of the aircraft, due to the extreme control loads. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 2, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, [[Page 11367]] International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0231; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-218-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD. Discussion The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is the aviation authority for the Netherlands, has issued Dutch Airworthiness Directive NL-2006-010, dated July 14, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: To date, there have been at least 10 reported events on Fokker 70 (F28 Mark 0070) and Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) aircraft where the flight crew manually overpowered the autopilot, inadvertently neglecting to disengage the autopilot. Detailed investigation of these incidents has shown that this usually occurs in a high workload environment that demands immediate manual control of the aircraft by the pilot flying, e.g., terrain warning. When the autopilot is not disengaged, the elevator servomotor is overpowered and the horizontal stabilizer is moved by the Automatic Flight Control & Augmentation System (AFCAS) auto-trim in a direction opposite to the (manual) deflection of the elevator, causing high elevator control forces. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the stabilizer to move to an extreme out-of-trim position, creating the (remote) possibility of loss of control of the aircraft, due to the extreme control loads. In the original design of AFCAS, operation of the control wheel-mounted stabilizer trim switches has no effect when the autopilot is engaged. Based on the assumption that stabilizer trim switches will be operated by the pilot flying when encountering high control forces, an Autopilot Disconnect Unit has been developed that disconnects the autopilot when the stabilizer trim switches are operated. Since a potentially unsafe condition has been identified that may exist or develop on aircraft of this type design, this Airworthiness Directive requires the installation of Autopilot Disconnect Units and associated wiring changes. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. Relevant Service Information Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-22- 050, dated April 25, 2006, including the drawings listed in the following table. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. Drawings Included in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-050 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fokker drawing Sheet Issue Date ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W41501................................ 057 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 058 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 059 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 060 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 061 CR....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 062 CR....................... April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 009 K........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 010 K........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 011 J........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 012 L........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 013 L........................ April 25, 2006. W46140................................ 27 AR....................... March 5, 2002. W46140................................ 28 AR....................... March 8, 2002. W46143................................ 02 K........................ February 26, 2002. W46143................................ 03 K........................ March 8, 2002. W46144................................ 06 R........................ March 4, 2002. W46144................................ 07 S........................ March 7, 2002. W46912................................ 01 D........................ March 12, 2002. W46930................................ 01 Original................. March 14, 2002. W46930................................ 02 E........................ March 14, 2002. W46932................................ 01 D........................ March 13, 2002. W59140................................ 177 GC....................... February 8, 2006. W59140................................ 178 GB....................... February 6, 2006. W59140................................ 221 GB....................... February 6, 2006. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ [[Page 11368]] substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information. We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD. Costs of Compliance Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 12 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 27 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $3,000 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $61,920, or $5,160 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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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. 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. We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0231; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-218-AD. Comments Due Date (a) We must receive comments by April 2, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, all serial numbers; certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22: Auto flight. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: To date, there have been at least 10 reported events on Fokker 70 (F28 Mark 0070) and Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) aircraft where the flight crew manually overpowered the autopilot, inadvertently neglecting to disengage the autopilot. Detailed investigation of these incidents has shown that this usually occurs in a high workload environment that demands immediate manual control of the aircraft by the pilot flying, e.g. terrain warning. When the autopilot is not disengaged, the elevator servomotor is overpowered and the horizontal stabilizer is moved by the Automatic Flight Control & Augmentation System (AFCAS) auto-trim in a direction opposite to the (manual) deflection of the elevator, causing high elevator control forces. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the stabilizer to move to an extreme out-of-trim position, creating the (remote) possibility of loss of control of the aircraft, due to the extreme control loads. In the original design of AFCAS, operation of the control wheel-mounted stabilizer trim switches has no effect when the autopilot is engaged. Based on the assumption that stabilizer trim switches will be operated by the pilot flying when encountering high control forces, an Autopilot Disconnect Unit has been developed that disconnects the autopilot when the stabilizer trim switches are operated. Since a potentially unsafe condition has been identified that may exist or develop on aircraft of this type design, this Airworthiness Directive requires the installation of Autopilot Disconnect Units and associated wiring changes. Actions and Compliance (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already done, install autopilot disconnect units and do associated wiring changes in accordance with Section 3, ``Accomplishment Instructions,'' of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-22-050, dated April 25, 2006, including the drawings listed in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1.--Drawings Included in Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-050 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fokker drawing Sheet Issue Date ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W41501................................ 057 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 058 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 059 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 060 CQ....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 061 CR....................... April 25, 2006. W41501................................ 062 CR....................... April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 009 K........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 010 K........................ April 25, 2006. [[Page 11369]] W41504................................ 011 J........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 012 L........................ April 25, 2006. W41504................................ 013 L........................ April 25, 2006. W46140................................ 27 AR....................... March 5, 2002. W46140................................ 28 AR....................... March 8, 2002. W46143................................ 02 K........................ February 26, 2002. W46143................................ 03 K........................ March 8, 2002. W46144................................ 06 R........................ March 4, 2002. W46144................................ 07 S........................ March 7, 2002. W46912................................ 01 D........................ March 12, 2002. W46930................................ 01 Original................. March 14, 2002. W46930................................ 02 E........................ March 14, 2002. W46932................................ 01 D........................ March 13, 2002. W59140................................ 177 GC....................... February 8, 2006. W59140................................ 178 GB....................... February 6, 2006. W59140................................ 221 GB....................... February 6, 2006. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) 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. Send information to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI Dutch Airworthiness Directive NL-2006-010, dated July 14, 2006; and Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-22-050, dated April 25, 2006, including the drawings listed in Table 1 of this AD; for related information. Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 25, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-3971 Filed 2-29-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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