05-12836. Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for damage of the drive rod assembly of the aileron tab on each aileron actuator; repetitive measurements of the clearance between the aileron hydraulic lines and the drive rod; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of an aileron 2 fault caused by severe wear of the polyamide washer that is part of an anti-rotation bush assembly in the aileron attachment lug. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive wear of the polyamide washer of the aileron actuator bush assembly, which could result in aileron flutter and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.

The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 9, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands.

Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20870; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-180-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17342), proposed to require repetitive inspections for damage of the drive rod assembly of the aileron tab on each aileron actuator; repetitive measurements of the clearance between the aileron hydraulic lines and the drive rod; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify model designations as published in the most recent type certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action	Work hours	Average labor rate per hour	Parts	Cost per airplane	Number of U.S.-registered airplanes	Fleet cost
Inspection	1	$65	None	$65	2	$130, per inspection cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-13-37 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-14174. Docket No. FAA-2005-20870; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-180-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability: (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by a report of an aileron 2 fault caused by severe wear of the polyamide washer that is part of an anti-rotation bush assembly in the aileron attachment lug. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive wear of the polyamide washer of the aileron actuator bush assembly, which could result in aileron flutter and loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin Reference

(f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-083, dated October 20, 2003.

Repetitive Inspections and Measurements

(g) Within 24 months or 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier: Do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the actions thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.

(1) Do a detailed inspection for chafing damage of the aileron tab drive rod assembly on each aileron actuator.

(2) Measure the clearance between the hydraulic line and the aileron tab drive rod.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.”

Corrective Action for Chafing Damage

(h) If any chafing damage that is greater than 0.2 mm is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, replace the drive rod in accordance with the service bulletin, at the applicable threshold limits defined in the service bulletin.

Corrective Action for Discrepant Clearance Measurements

(i) If any clearance measurement that is outside the limits defined in the service bulletin is found during the action required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, do the actions in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD. Do all actions in accordance with the service bulletin at the applicable threshold limits defined in the service bulletin.

(1) Replace the polyamide washer or replace the bush assembly.

(2) Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions after the replacement in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, including replacing the aileron actuator with a serviceable aileron actuator as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(j) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

(k) Dutch airworthiness directive 2003-141, dated November 28, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(l) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-083, dated October 20, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service information, contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call [phone], or go to http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal_​regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2005.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.