AD 2012-03-03 Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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.

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.

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.

None.