[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68156-68158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34042]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-281-AD; Amendment 39-10268; AD 98-01-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes. This
action requires a one-time inspection of the main landing gear (MLG)
locklinks to determine if the lockwire that secures both platform bolts
is in one piece and in position; and corrective action, if necessary.
This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent collapse of
the MLG due to failure of the locklinks to lock in the down position.
DATES: Effective January 15, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 15, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-281-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
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 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.
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: The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on all Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series
airplanes. The RLD advises that an operator of a Model F27 Mark 050
series airplane reported an incident in which the left main landing
gear (MLG) had failed to lock in the down position and subsequently
collapsed during roll-out after landing. Subsequent investigation
revealed that, of the two bolts required to secure the downlock
platform of the MLG locklink, one bolt was missing. Because the
downlock platform was secured with only a single bolt, the platform
rotated and the MLG was prevented from reaching its overcentered and
locked position. The reason for the missing bolt is being investigated
and may be attributed to a problem that occurred during manufacture or
maintenance. Additionally, another operator reported finding a broken
and partly missing lockwire and a loose affected bolt. Such loose bolts
or damaged/missing lockwire, if not corrected, could result in failure
of the MLG to lock in the down position, which could cause the MLG to
collapse.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-32-033, dated December 20,
1996, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the MLG
locklinks to determine if the lockwire that secures both platform bolts
is in one piece and in position; the service bulletin also describes
procedures for correction of any discrepancy. The RLD classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive
BLA 1996-146 (A), dated December 23, 1996, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
FAA's Conclusions
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 21.19) 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.
Explanation of Requirements of the Rule
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, this AD requires accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
None of the airplanes affected by this action is on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
[[Page 68157]]
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be
$60 per airplane.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
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 under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-281-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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:
98-01-04 Fokker: Amendment 39-10268. Docket 97-NM-281-AD.
Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes,
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 collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) due to
failure of the locklinks to lock in the down position, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect
the left and right MLG locklinks to determine if the lockwire that
secures both platform bolts is in one piece and in position, in
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-033, dated December
20, 1996. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
accomplish corrective actions in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane an MLG locklink unless it has been inspected and
applicable corrective actions have been performed, in accordance
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-033, dated December 20, 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
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 actions shall be accomplished in accordance with Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF50-32-033, dated December 20, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA 1996-146 (A), dated December 23, 1996.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 15, 1998.
[[Page 68158]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-34042 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U