Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Final rule.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 and F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the brightness of the tritium exit signs and lighting strips deteriorated below accepted levels. This AD requires a detailed inspection of tritium exit signs and emergency lighting strips, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct insufficient brightness of the tritium exit signs and lighting strips, which could lead to an unsafe evacuation during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to occupants.
This AD becomes effective April 4, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 4, 2012.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1137; fax (425) 227–1149.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the
As required by current certification standards, each transport aeroplane has passenger compartment exit signs and emergency lighting strips installed to locate the emergency exits. A number of these strips and signs are not electrically powered, but are self illuminated by means of a hydrogen isotope, known as Tritium. As this isotope decays over time, these signs will [lose] their brightness.
To remain compliant with regulations, Tritium exit signs and lighting strips should be replaced when their brightness has deteriorated below accepted levels. Currently, the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Maintenance Planning Document does not include an inspection task for signs and strips containing Tritium.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in insufficiently bright exit signs and lighting strips, preventing safe evacuation during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to occupants.
To correct this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2010–0200, which required [a detailed visual] inspection of the brightness of all Tritium exit signs and strips and, depending on findings, replacement of insufficiently bright signs and lighting strips.
Following the issuance of [EASA] AD 2010–0200, Fokker Services discovered that one Service Bulletin (SB), SBF100–33–023, contained errors in the two groups of aeroplane serial numbers and, consequently, in the related instructions for those aeroplanes in that SB.
For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2010–0200, which is superseded, amends the Applicability and refers to Revision 1 of SBF100–33–023 for the accomplishment instructions.
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received. The commenter supports the NPRM (76 FR 62658, October 11, 2011).
We have revised the heading for and wording in paragraph (i) of this AD; this change has not changed the intent of that paragraph.
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously—and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 62658, October 11, 2011) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 62658, October 11, 2011).
We estimate that this AD will affect 4 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $340, or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 2 work-hours and require parts costing $833, for a cost of $1,003 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.
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.
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.
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 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 4, 2012.
None.
This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) F.27 Mark 050 airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns): 20104, 20105, 20121 through 20123 inclusive, 20130 through 20135 inclusive, 20141 through 20145 inclusive, 20150, 20156 through 20176 inclusive, 20178 through 20180 inclusive, 20182 through 20199 inclusive, 20202, 20204 through 20207 inclusive, 20210, 20211, 20213 through 20252 inclusive, 20254 through 20266 inclusive, 20270 through 20279 inclusive, 20281, 20283 through 20288 inclusive, 20296 through 20303 inclusive, 20306, 20307, 20312, 20313, 20316, 20317, 20328, 20331, 20333, and 20335.
(2) F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes having S/Ns: 11257, 11258, 11262, 11264 through 11266 inclusive, 11287, 11301, 11317, 11340, 11342, 11352 through 11356 inclusive, 11360, 11368 through 11370 inclusive, 11376, 11377, 11385, 11395, 11402, 11403, 11405 through 11408 inclusive, 11411 through 11419 inclusive, 11425 through 11428 inclusive, 11434 through 11437 inclusive, 11447 through 11449 inclusive, 11457 through 11459 inclusive, 11467, 11469, 11478, 11479, 11481, 11482, 11487, 11492 through 11495 inclusive, 11497, 11498, 11501, 11503, 11506, 11507, 11509, 11514, 11521, 11528, 11529, 11532, 11536 through 11541 inclusive, 11543, 11545, 11547, 11549, 11551, 11553 through 11583 inclusive, and 11585.
(3) F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes, if in a post-Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–52–060 configuration, having S/Ns: 11244 through 11256 inclusive, 11259 through 11261 inclusive, 11263, 11267 through 11286 inclusive, 11288 through 11300 inclusive, 11302 through 11316 inclusive, 11318 through 11339 inclusive, 11341, 11343 through 11351 inclusive, 11357 through 11367 inclusive, 11371 through 11375 inclusive, 11378 through 11384 inclusive, 11386 through 11394 inclusive, 11396 through 11401 inclusive, 11404, 11409, 11410, 11420 through 11424 inclusive, 11429 through 11433 inclusive, 11438 through 11446 inclusive, 11450 through 11456 inclusive, 11460 through 11466 inclusive, 11468, 11470 through 11477 inclusive, 11480, 11483 through 11486 inclusive, 11488 through 11491 inclusive, 11496, 11499, 11500, 11502, 11504, 11505, 11508, 11510 through 11513 inclusive, 11515 through 11520 inclusive, 11522, 11523, and 11527.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33: Lights.
This AD was prompted by reports that the brightness of the tritium exit signs and lighting strips deteriorated below accepted levels. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct insufficient brightness of the tritium exit signs and lighting strips, which could lead to an unsafe evacuation during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to occupants.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within six months after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed visual inspection of the tritium exit signs and emergency lighting strips for required brightness, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50–33–038, dated July 5, 2010; or SBF100–33–023, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; as applicable. If any exit signs or emergency lighting strips are insufficiently bright, before further flight, replace the exit signs or emergency lighting strips, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50–33–038, dated July 5, 2010; or SBF100–33–023, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; as applicable. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the inspection in this paragraph if the tritium exit signs and emergency lighting strips can be conclusively determined to have been manufactured in 2003 or earlier, from that review; however, the replacement in this paragraph must be accomplished before further flight after doing the review.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any tritium exit signs or emergency lighting strips if the manufacturing date is seven years or more before the intended installation date, or if the manufacturing date cannot be determined; unless the tritium exit sign or emergency lighting strip has been inspected in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD, and does not need replacement.
This paragraph provides credit for inspection and replacement of the tritium exit sign or emergency lighting strip, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–33–023, dated July 5, 2010, as applicable.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1)
(2)
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2010–0261, dated December 9, 2010; for related information.
(1) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50–33–038, dated July 5, 2010; and
(2) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–33–023, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010.
(1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
(i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50–33–038, dated July 5, 2010.
(ii) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–33–023, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)252–627–350; fax +31 (0)252–627–211; email
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call 202–741–6030, or go to