[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4406-4408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2137]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-278-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and
0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time
inspection of the torque links of the main landing gear (MLG)
assemblies to determine if the lockwire is present on the apex bolt;
and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by the
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent failure of the MLG due to loose connections
between the
[[Page 4407]]
upper and lower torque links of the MLG.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-278-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O.
Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-278-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-278-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that it received a report of an incident
involving a Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 series airplane in which the
flight crew aborted takeoff due to excessive vibration. The flight crew
suspected that the vibration originated from the main landing gear
(MLG). Subsequent investigation of the torque link of the right MLG
assembly revealed that the locking bolt and the plate of the apex joint
were loose; additionally, the lockwire, which was intended to secure
the locking bolt, was missing. Investigation of the left MLG assembly
also revealed that the lockwire was missing. Similar discrepancies were
noted on other Menasco MLG assemblies during production. In addition,
the applicable maintenance documents for Messier-Dowty and Menasco MLG
assemblies subsequently were reviewed, and no reference to the lockwire
was noted. Such missing lockwire or loose locking bolt, if not
corrected, could result in failure of the MLG.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Fokker F100 All Operator Message (AOM)
AOF100.013, reference TS96.68988, dated December 19, 1996, which
describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the torque links of
the MLG assembly to determine if lockwire is present on the apex bolt;
and for retorquing the apex bolt and installing lockwire, if no
lockwire is present. The RLD issued Dutch airworthiness directive 1996-
147 (A), dated December 23, 1996, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands. The RLD refers to
Menasco Service Bulletin 41050-32-13, dated December 20, 1996, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the
actions required by this AD.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RLD has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
RLD, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the AOM described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 131 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$7,860, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, will not have a significant
[[Page 4408]]
economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy
of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is
contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by
contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 97-NM-278-AD.
Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 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
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 (c) 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 failure of the main landing gear (MLG) due to loose
connections between the upper and lower torque links of the MLG,
accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the torque links of the left and right MLG
assemblies to determine if the lockwire is installed on the apex
bolt, in accordance with Fokker F100 All Operator Message (AOM)
AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988, dated December 19, 1996, at the
time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as
applicable. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
retorque the apex bolt and install lockwire in accordance with the
AOM.
(1) For airplanes equipped with Menasco Aerospace, Ltd., MLG
assemblies: Inspect within 5 days after the effective date of this
AD.
(2) For airplanes equipped with Messier-Dowty, Ltd., MLG
assemblies: Inspect within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane an MLG torque link unless it has been inspected and
corrective action has been accomplished, in accordance with Fokker
F100 All Operator Message (AOM) AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988,
dated December 19, 1996.
(c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive 1996-147 (A), dated December 23, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 1998.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2137 Filed 1-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
