[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25692]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 18, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-128-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 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 0100
series airplanes. This proposal would require inspecting the teleflex
cable of the landing gear to detect corrosion, moisture, or improper
greasing; and replacing discrepant teleflex cables with serviceable
parts. This proposal is prompted by reports of difficulties with the
operation of the selector handle of the landing gear when ``gear down''
is selected, due to improper greasing of the teleflex cable of the
landing gear during production. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent moisture from accumulating on the teleflex
cable, which could result in corrosion of the teleflex cable that could
inhibit operation of the selector handle of the landing gear.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 29, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-128-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 Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2141; fax (206) 227-1100.
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 94-NM-128-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. 94-NM-128-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness
authority for the Netherlands, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes.
The RLD advises that reports have been received of in-service
difficulties experienced with the operation of the selector handle of
the landing gear when the pilot has selected ``gear down.''
Investigation revealed that the teleflex cable was improperly greased
during production; this cable runs from the selector handle to the
selector valve of the landing gear. In one case, the teleflex cable was
found to be corroded. Improper greasing allowed moisture to accumulate
on the teleflex cable and subsequently freeze at high altitude and in
cold weather conditions; this caused the stiff operation of the
selector handle of the landing gear. Improper greasing of the teleflex
cable of the landing gear, if not corrected, could result in moisture
accumulating on the teleflex cable. Such moisture subsequently could
corrode the teleflex cable, which could then inhibit operation of the
selector handle of the landing gear.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-32-071, dated June 22,
1993, which describes procedures for removing the teleflex cable of the
landing gear, part number D76351-001, and inspecting it to detect
corrosion, moisture, or improper greasing on the cable. If no
discrepancies are detected, the cable is to be cleaned, greased, and
reassembled. If any discrepancy is detected, the cable must be replaced
with a serviceable part. The RLD classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Airworthiness Directive BLA 93-089 (A), dated July
12, 1993, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in the Netherlands.
This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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.
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 removing the
teleflex cable of the landing gear, part number D76351-001, and
inspecting it to detect corrosion, moisture, or improper greasing. If
no discrepancies are detected, the cable would be cleaned, greased, and
reassembled. If any discrepancy is detected, the cable would be
replaced with a serviceable part. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 119 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10.9
work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that
the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $71,340.50, or $599.50 per airplane.
The total 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.
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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 94-NM-128-AD.
Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent moisture from accumulating on the teleflex cable,
which could result in corrosion of the teleflex cable that could
inhibit operation of the selector handle of the landing gear,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, remove
the teleflex cable of the landing gear, part number D76351-001, and
perform an inspection of it to detect corrosion, moisture, or
improper greasing, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-32-071, dated June 22, 1993.
(1) If no discrepancies are found, prior to further flight,
clean, grease, and reinstall the teleflex cable, in accordance with
the service bulletin.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
replace the teleflex cable with a serviceable part in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(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: 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-25692 Filed 10-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
