[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60644-60645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29443]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-10200; AD 97-23-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 and 0070 
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 F28 Mark 0100 and 0070 series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of the fusible pin in the upper 
torque link of the main landing gear with an improved pin. 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 reduced structural 
integrity and potential collapse of the main landing gear.

DATES: Effective December 17, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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: 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 F28 Mark 0100 
and 0070 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
August 11, 1997 (62 FR 42951). That action proposed to require 
replacement of the fusible pin in the upper torque link of the main 
landing gear with an improved pin.

[[Page 60645]]

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    The commenters state that the proposed AD does not affect their 
fleet of airplanes.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, 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 10 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 and 0070 
series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it 
will take approximately 14 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $8,400, or $840 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:

97-23-12  Fokker: Amendment 39-10200. Docket 97-NM-165-AD.

    Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 and 0070 series airplanes, 
equipped with Menasco Aerospace Ltd. main landing gears having part 
number (P/N) 41050, including the fusible upper torque link pin 
having P/N 41223-1; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 reduced structural integrity and potential collapse 
of the main landing gear, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace any main landing gear upper torque link fusible pin having 
P/N 41223-1 with a pin having P/N 41223-3, in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-32-099, dated June 14, 1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a main landing gear upper torque link fusible pin having P/N 41223-1 
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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: 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 SBF100-32-099, dated June 14, 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 Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 
North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive BLA 1996-074 (A), dated June 28, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29443 Filed 11-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U