[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16177-16179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8707]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-28-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000,
3000, and 4000 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 F.28 Mark 1000,
2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes. This proposal would require
repetitive inspections of the center joint of the main landing gear
(MLG) torque link and the MLG assembly for excessive free-play; and
correction, if necessary. This proposal would also require installation
of new MLG torque link dampers, which would constitute terminating
action for the repetitive inspections; and revision of the FAA-approved
maintenance program to incorporate inspections and overhaul of the new
torque link dampers. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent the failure of MLG torque links, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane on the ground during takeoff or
landing.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 4, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-28-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
[[Page 16178]]
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 98-NM-28-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-28-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 F.28 series airplanes. The RLD
advises that it has received numerous reports of main landing gear
(MLG) torque link failures on in-service airplanes. The cause of these
failures has been attributed to one or more deficiencies, such as
excessive play in hinges and bearings, worn or non-approved tires, and
nitrogen pressure or tire pressure that is too high. These deficiencies
caused reduced natural stability of the MLG in a lateral and torsional
mode during landing, vibration, and consequent failure of the MLG
torque links. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane on the ground during takeoff or
landing.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin F28/32-151, Revision 1, dated
March 12, 1997, which describes procedures for repetitive visual
inspections of the center joint of the MLG torque link and of the MLG
assembly for excessive free-play; and correction, if necessary. The
service bulletin also describes procedures for installation of new MLG
torque link dampers, which would eliminate the need for the repetitive
inspections; and revision of the FAA-approved maintenance program to
incorporate visual inspections and overhaul of the new torque link
dampers. Accomplishment of the actions specified in Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin is intended to
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The RLD classified
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness
directive BLA 1996-103(A), dated August 30, 1996, in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.
Parts 1.A., 1.B., 1.C., and 1.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/32-151, Revision 1, dated March 12,
1997, reference Fokker F.28 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapters
32-10-01, 32-10-00, and 32-10-04, as additional sources of service
information to accomplish the actions required by this proposal.
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 service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 3 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspections proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $4,860, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
It would take approximately 18 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed installation/modification, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$90,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
installation/modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,459,160, or $91,080 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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.
[[Page 16179]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Fokker Services B.V.: Docket 98-NM-28-AD.
Applicability: All Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000
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 (d) 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 the failure of main landing gear (MLG) torque links,
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane on the
ground during takeoff or landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, perform a visual inspection of the center joint of the MLG
torque link for excessive free play, in accordance with Part 1.D. of
the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/32-
151, Revision 1, dated March 12, 1997.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the visual inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
correct the discrepant condition in accordance with Part 1.D. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Repeat the
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight
cycles.
Note 2: Part 1.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker
Service Bulletin F28/32-151, Revision 1, dated March 12, 1997,
references Fokker F.28 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapter
32-10-04, as an additional source of service information to
accomplish the actions required by this proposal.
(b) Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, perform a visual inspection of the MLG assembly for excessive
free play, in accordance with Parts 1.A., 1.B., and 1.C. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/32-151,
Revision 1, dated March 12, 1997.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the visual inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
correct the discrepant condition in accordance with Parts 1.A.,
1.B., and/or 1.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, as applicable. Repeat the visual inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles.
Note 3: Parts 1.A., 1.B., and 1.C. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F28/32-151, Revision 1,
dated March 12, 1997, reference Fokker F.28 AMM, Chapters 32-10-01,
32-10-00, and 32-10-04, as additional sources of service information
to accomplish the actions required by this proposal.
(c) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Install torque link dampers and associated sub-assemblies in
accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker
Service Bulletin F28/32-151, Revision 1, dated March 12, 1997.
Accomplishment of the installation constitutes terminating action
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
(2) Revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate a
visual inspection of the oil level of the torque-link dampers
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours, and
incorporate a scheduled overhaul of each damper concurrent with the
overhaul of the MLG on which it is installed, in accordance with
Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin
F28/32-151, Revision 1, dated March 12, 1997.
Note 4: After the maintenance program is revised to include the
required inspection and overhaul actions in accordance with
paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, operators do not need to make a
maintenance log entry to show compliance with this AD each time
those actions are accomplished thereafter.
(d) 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 5: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(e) 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 6: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch
airworthiness directive BLA 1996-103(A), dated August 30, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8707 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U