[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32607-32608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15677]
[[Page 32607]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-98-AD; Amendment 39-10588; AD 98-12-35]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,
600, and 700 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the
actuating ram bobbin and O-ring seals of the main landing gear (MLG)
with new bobbins and improved O-ring seals. This amendment is prompted
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent loss of dampening of the MLG actuating ram,
which could result in failure of the MLG lockstruts, and consequent
structural damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 20, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100,
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on April 15, 1998 (63 FR 18342). That action proposed
to require replacement of the actuating ram bobbin and O-ring seals of
the main landing gear (MLG) with new bobbins and improved O-ring seals.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 26 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be furnished by
the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of the replacement required by this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $53,040, or $1,560 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-12-35 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-10588. Docket 98-NM-98-
AD.
Applicability: Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and
700 series airplanes; equipped with Dunlop main landing gear (MLG)
actuating rams having part number (P/N) AC67132, AC67134, AC67848,
or AC67850; 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 loss of dampening of the MLG actuating ram, which
could result in failure of the MLG lockstruts, and consequent
structural damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 4,000 flight hours or 2 years after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the actuating ram
bobbin, O-ring seals, and back-up O-ring seals of the MLG with new
bobbins and improved O-ring seals, in accordance with Fokker Service
Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October 23, 1996.
Note 2: Dunlop Equipment Division Service Bulletin SB 32-1142,
dated October 22, 1996, and Revision 1, dated January 14, 1997,
provides service information for accomplishment of the modification.
[[Page 32608]]
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a Dunlop Main Undercarriage Ram, part number (P/N)
AC67132, AC67134, AC67848, or AC67850, unless it has been modified
in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October
23, 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 request
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116.
Note 3: 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.
(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Fokker
Service Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October 23, 1996. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Fokker Services B.V., Technical
Support Department, P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the
Netherlands. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive 1996-142(A), dated November 29, 1996.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15677 Filed 6-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
