[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