[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55527-55528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27478]



[[Page 55527]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-278-AD; Amendment 39-10841; AD 98-21-33]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series 
airplanes, that requires 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 
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 failure of the MLG due to 
loose connections between the upper and lower torque links of the MLG.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: 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 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: 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: 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 all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 
and 0100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
January 29, 1998 (63 FR 4406). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request to Revise Area of Inspection

    One commenter requests that paragraph (b) of the proposal be 
clarified to more accurately define the area to be inspected. The 
commenter states that the proposal, which specified that the MLG 
``torque links'' are to be inspected before installation, could cause 
confusion because the inspection actually pertains to the ``torque link 
joint apex pin and nut installation.''
    The FAA concurs. Paragraph (b) of the final rule has been revised 
to clarify that the ``torque link joint apex pin and nut installation'' 
is to be inspected before installation.

Comment Regarding Availability of Service Information

    The same commenter suggests that paragraph (b) of the proposal 
should be revised because Fokker All Operator Message (AOM) AOF100.013, 
Reference TS96.68988, dated December 19, 1996 (which is cited in the 
proposal as the appropriate source of service information), refers to 
revision pages and a figure that have not yet been distributed.
    Although the commenter does not identify a specific request in 
regard to the AD, the FAA infers that the commenter is concerned about 
the lack of availability of procedure 32-11-10-400-814-A (Figure 32-11-
10-990-034-A00) or procedure 32-11-10-400-814-B (Figure 32-11-10-990-
034-B00), which are referenced in the AOM as additional sources of 
service information. The FAA has determined that this information is 
available from the manufacturer, and suggests that a further request 
for the referenced pages may be necessary. No change to the final rule 
in this regard is necessary.

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 with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

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

[[Page 55528]]

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:

98-21-33  Fokker: Amendment 39-10841. Docket 97-NM-278-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F.28 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 joint apex pin and nut 
installation, unless it has been inspected and corrective action has 
been accomplished, in accordance with Fokker F100 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker F100 All 
Operator Message (AOM) AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988, dated 
December 19, 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 1996-147 (A), dated December 23, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 7, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27478 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P