[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 211 (Monday, November 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58625-58627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29002]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-101-AD; Amendment 39-10847; AD 98-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 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 F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes,
that requires a one-time visual inspection and a one-time eddy current
and/or dye penetrant inspection of the nose landing gear (NLG) main
fitting to detect cracking; and rework of the NLG main fitting, 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
cracking of the NLG main fitting, which could lead to collapse of the
NLG during takeoff and landing and possible injury to the flightcrew
and passengers.
DATES: Effective December 7, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 7, 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
[[Page 58626]]
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 F.28 Mark
0100 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 28,
1998 (63 FR 29157). That action proposed to require a one-time visual
inspection and a one-time eddy current and/or dye penetrant inspection
of the nose landing gear (NLG) main fitting to detect cracking; and
rework of the NLG main fitting, if necessary.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Request To Acknowledge Inspections Accomplished Previously
Two commenters support the intent of the proposal but request that
the reporting requirement of the proposed AD be revised to recognize
inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD. The
commenters indicate that paragraph (d) of the proposed rule specifies
that results of the inspections performed in accordance with paragraph
(a) or (b) of the AD are to be submitted to the manufacturer within 7
days after accomplishment of the inspections. Both commenters point out
that operators that have accomplished the inspections previously, but
that did not submit a report of the results to the manufacturer within
7 days after accomplishment of the inspections, would be immediately
out of compliance with the AD and would have to accomplish the
inspections again in order to comply.
The FAA concurs with the request. Therefore, the FAA has revised
paragraph (d) of the final rule to incorporate a grace period for the
reporting requirement. Paragraph (d) of the final rule specifies that a
report of the inspection results must be submitted to the manufacturer,
``Within 7 days after accomplishing the inspection required by either
paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, or within 7 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later.''
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 127 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the visual inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the visual inspection
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,240, or
$120 per airplane.
It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the eddy current and/or dye penetrant inspection, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the eddy current and/or dye penetrant inspection required by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,240, or $120 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:
98-22-01 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-10847. Docket No. 98-
NM-101-AD.
Applicability: Model F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, equipped
with Messier-Dowty Nose Landing Gear (NLG) having part number (P/N)
201071001 or P/N 201071002, on which the NLG main fitting has not
been overhauled in accordance with Component Maintenance Manual 32-
20-51; 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 (e) 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 cracking of the NLG main fitting, which could lead to
collapse of the NLG during takeoff and landing and possible injury
to the flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a one-time visual inspection to detect cracking of
the NLG main fitting, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-32-112, dated November 14, 1997, at the applicable time
specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD. If any
cracking is found, prior to further flight, accomplish the
requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 15,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to
the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, or within 90 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 15,000 or more total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 30
days after the effective date of this AD.
[[Page 58627]]
(b) Perform a one-time eddy current and/or dye penetrant
inspection to detect cracking of the NLG main fitting, in accordance
with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-92, dated November 14,
1997, at the applicable time specified in either paragraph (b)(1) or
(b)(2) of this AD. Accomplishment of the inspection required by
paragraph (b) of this AD, if accomplished prior to the inspection
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, terminates the inspection
requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 15,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to
the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, or within 180 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 15,000 or more total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 60
days after the effective date of this AD.
(c) If any crack is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, rework the NLG
main fitting in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-
32-92, dated November 14, 1997.
(d) Within 7 days after accomplishing the inspection required by
either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, or within 7 days after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, submit a report
of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O. Box 75047,
1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. Information collection
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) Except as provided by paragraph (d) of this AD, the actions
shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-
112, dated November 14, 1997, and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin
F100-32-92, dated November 14, 1997. 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 1997-116 (A), dated November 28, 1997.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on December 7, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-29002 Filed 10-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P