[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2181]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-196-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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain
main landing gear (MLG) torque link dampers. This proposal is prompted
by a report that certain MLG torque link dampers may have been
assembled with incorrect parts. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent loss of the damping characteristics of the
torque link damper, which could lead to the loss of the MLG wheel
assembly of the aircraft during takeoff or landing.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 28, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-196-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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) 227-1320.
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 93-NM-196-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. 93-NM-196-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 certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that certain main landing gear (MLG) torque
link dampers may have been assembled with an incorrect part.
Investigation into this problem has identified the affected dampers:
one batch of 32 MLG torque link dampers, Menasco part number 23700-1,
having serial numbers MAL417 through MAL427 inclusive, and MAL429
through MAL449 inclusive. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in loss of damping characteristics of the torque link damper,
which could lead to the loss of the MLG wheel assembly of the aircraft
during takeoff and landing.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-32-077, dated July 6,
1993, that describes procedures for a one-time inspection and
replacement of suspect MLG torque link dampers with serviceable
dampers. The RLD classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued Netherlands Airworthiness Directive (BLA) 93-095 (A), dated July
16, 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 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 replacement of
suspect MLG torque link dampers with serviceable dampers. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletin described previously.
The FAA estimates that 32 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $900 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $35,840,
or $1,120 per airplane. This total cost figure assumes that no operator
has yet accomplished the proposed requirements of this AD action.
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 14
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 93-NM-196-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; equipped with Menasco main landing
gear (MLG) torque link dampers, part number 23700-1, having serial
numbers MAL417 through MAL427 inclusive, and MAL429 through MAL449
inclusive.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of damping characteristics of the torque link
damper, which could lead to the loss of the MLG wheel assembly of
the aircraft during takeoff or landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, replace
Menasco MLG torque link dampers, part number 23700-1, with a
serviceable damper.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a Menasco MLG torque link damper, part number 23700-1, having serial
numbers MAL417 through MAL427, inclusive, or MAL429 through MAL449,
inclusive, on any airplane.
(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, 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.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
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 January 26, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2181 Filed 1-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
