[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4406-4408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-278-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and 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 0070 and 
0100 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection of the torque links of the main landing gear (MLG) 
assemblies to determine if the lockwire is present on the apex bolt; 
and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by the 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent failure of the MLG due to loose connections 
between the

[[Page 4407]]

upper and lower torque links of the MLG.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-278-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 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.

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:

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 97-NM-278-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. 97-NM-278-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series 
airplanes. The RLD advises that it received a report of an incident 
involving a Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 series airplane in which the 
flight crew aborted takeoff due to excessive vibration. The flight crew 
suspected that the vibration originated from the main landing gear 
(MLG). Subsequent investigation of the torque link of the right MLG 
assembly revealed that the locking bolt and the plate of the apex joint 
were loose; additionally, the lockwire, which was intended to secure 
the locking bolt, was missing. Investigation of the left MLG assembly 
also revealed that the lockwire was missing. Similar discrepancies were 
noted on other Menasco MLG assemblies during production. In addition, 
the applicable maintenance documents for Messier-Dowty and Menasco MLG 
assemblies subsequently were reviewed, and no reference to the lockwire 
was noted. Such missing lockwire or loose locking bolt, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the MLG.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Fokker F100 All Operator Message (AOM) 
AOF100.013, reference TS96.68988, dated December 19, 1996, which 
describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the torque links of 
the MLG assembly to determine if lockwire is present on the apex bolt; 
and for retorquing the apex bolt and installing lockwire, if no 
lockwire is present. The RLD issued Dutch airworthiness directive 1996-
147 (A), dated December 23, 1996, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands. The RLD refers to 
Menasco Service Bulletin 41050-32-13, dated December 20, 1996, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
actions required by this AD.

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 21.29) 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the AOM described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 131 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$7,860, or $60 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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

[[Page 4408]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Fokker: Docket 97-NM-278-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 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 failure of the main landing gear (MLG) due to loose 
connections between the upper and lower torque links of the MLG, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the torque links of the left and right MLG 
assemblies to determine if the lockwire is installed on the apex 
bolt, in accordance with Fokker F100 All Operator Message (AOM) 
AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988, dated December 19, 1996, at the 
time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
retorque the apex bolt and install lockwire in accordance with the 
AOM.
    (1) For airplanes equipped with Menasco Aerospace, Ltd., MLG 
assemblies: Inspect within 5 days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) For airplanes equipped with Messier-Dowty, Ltd., MLG 
assemblies: Inspect within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane an MLG torque link unless it has been inspected and 
corrective action has been accomplished, in accordance with Fokker 
F100 All Operator Message (AOM) AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988, 
dated December 19, 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1996-147 (A), dated December 23, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 1998.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2137 Filed 1-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U