[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15908-15910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8916]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-171-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 and 0070
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
and 0070 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of
the wheel brake assembly on the main landing gear. This proposal is
prompted by reports of aluminum brake pistons that have ballooned and
failed. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent such failure of the pistons, which could result in leakage of
the hydraulic fluid, resultant loss of braking capability, and a
possible brake fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 20, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-171-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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1721; fax (206) 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.
[[Page 15909]]
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 95-NM-171-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. 95-NM-171-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 and 0070
series airplanes. The RLD advises that it has received reports of
ballooned (bulging) aluminum brake pistons found on Fokker Model F28
Mark 0100 series airplanes. Some of these aluminum brake pistons had
cracked and caused hydraulic leakage, which resulted in brake fires.
Investigation revealed that heavy braking during a high kinetic energy
landing or during a rejected takeoff (RTO) may result in high brake
temperatures. These high temperatures are transferred to the aluminum
brake pistons, and may result in bulging, cracking, and subsequent
failure of the pistons. Such failure of the aluminum pistons, if not
corrected, could result in leakage of hydraulic fluid, resultant loss
of braking capability, and a possible brake fire.
The aluminum brake pistons installed on certain Fokker Model Mark
0100 series airplanes are identical to those installed on certain
Fokker Model Mark 0070 series airplanes; therefore, both of these
airplane models are subject to the same identified unsafe condition.
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-32-092, dated January 11,
1995, which describes procedures for modification of the wheel brake
assembly on the main landing gear. The modification entails replacing
the aluminum brake pistons of certain brake assemblies with stainless
steel pistons, which can tolerate higher temperatures. The Fokker
service bulletin refers to Aircraft Braking Systems Service Bulletin
Fo100-32-63, dated January 13, 1995, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishment of the replacement. The Aircraft Braking
Systems service bulletin also describes an alternative procedure that
involves installation of a cylinder sleeve kit, which will provide a
longer wear brake assembly when certain other modifications are
performed.
The RLD classified the Fokker service bulletin as mandatory and
issued Dutch airworthiness directive BLA 1995-013 (A), dated February
28, 1995, 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
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.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, the
proposed AD would require modification of the wheel brake assembly on
the main landing gear either by replacing the aluminum brake pistons
with stainless steel brake pistons, or by installing a cylinder sleeve
kit. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance
with the service bulletins described previously.
The FAA estimates that 122 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The proposed replacement of the brake pistons, if accomplished,
would take approximately 9 work hours per airplane (when accomplished
as part of a normal brake overhaul), at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at
no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
proposed replacement action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $540
per airplane.
The proposed installation of the cylinder sleeve kit, if
accomplished, would take approximately 9 work hours per airplane (when
accomplished as part of a normal brake overhaul), at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$4,400 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
proposed installation action on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,940 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker: Docket 95-NM-171-AD.
Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 and 0070 series airplanes;
equipped with Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation (ABSC) brake
assemblies having part number (P/N) 5008132-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, or -
7, all serial numbers; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
[[Page 15910]]
otherwise 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 loss of braking capability and possible brake fire
due to failure of the brake pistons, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, or at
the next scheduled or unscheduled brake overhaul, whichever occurs
first: Modify ABSC wheel brake assemblies having P/N 5008132-2, -3,
-4, -5, -6, or -7, all serial numbers, by accomplishing either
paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the brake assemblies with modified units having
stainless steel pistons, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-092, dated January
11, 1995. Or
(2) Install a cylinder sleeve kit in accordance with Aircraft
Braking Systems Service Bulletin Fo100-32-63, dated January 13,
1995.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an ABSC brake assembly having part number 5008132-2, -3, -4, -5, -6,
or -7, on any airplane unless it has been modified in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-092, dated January 11, 1995,
or Aircraft Braking Systems Service Bulletin Fo100-32-63, dated
January 13, 1995.
(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 2: 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
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 April 4, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-8916 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
