[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 293-295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8240]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23476; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) 
main fitting for cracks, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD 
would also require installing a placard and revising the airplane 
flight manual to include procedures to prohibit the application of 
brakes during backward movement of the airplane. This proposed AD 
results from a report that an MLG main fitting failed on an airplane 
that was braking while moving backward. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct cracks in the MLG main fitting, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the MLG main fitting.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 
the Netherlands, for service information identified in this proposed 
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
23476; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-204-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that a main landing gear (MLG) main 
fitting failed on a Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplane that was 
braking while moving backward. The MLG main fitting broke into two 
pieces, causing the lower part including the sliding member and the 
main wheels to separate from the upper main fitting part. An 
investigation revealed a 4.5 mm fatigue crack in the main fitting, 
which originated from one of the MLG filler and bleeder ports. Smaller 
cracks, typically 0.5 mm--1.0 mm, have also

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been found on other Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes in the area 
of the MLG filler and bleeder ports. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the MLG main fitting.

Relevant Service Information

    Messier-Dowty has issued Service Bulletin F100-32-106, dated 
February 18, 2005, including Appendices A through D. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for an eddy current inspection of the MLG 
main fitting for cracks, and repair if necessary. If all damage has not 
been removed during repair, the service bulletin specifies contacting 
the manufacturer. The service bulletin also specifies that flight with 
a crack is allowed under certain circumstances.
    The CAA-NL mandated the service information and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive NL-2005-002, dated April 14, 2005, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

Issuance of Related Dutch Airworthiness Directive

    The CAA-NL has previously issued Dutch airworthiness directive 
2002-115/2, dated October 8, 2004. Among other actions, that 
airworthiness directive specifies installing a placard and revising the 
airplane flight manual to include procedures to prohibit the 
application of brakes during backward movement of the airplane.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are 
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 CAA-NL has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the CAA-
NL's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that 
we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Among the 
Proposed AD, Service Bulletin, and Dutch Airworthiness Directive.'' 
This AD would also require installing a placard and revising the 
airplane flight manual to include procedures to prohibit the 
application of brakes during backward movement of the airplane.

Differences Among the Proposed AD, Service Bulletin, and Dutch 
Airworthiness Directive

    Operators should note that, although the Dutch airworthiness 
directive 2002-115/2, dated October 8, 2004, and the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106, dated February 18, 
2005, provide procedures for submitting a report of all findings to the 
manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that action.
    Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106 specifies to contact the 
manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but 
this proposed AD would require repairing those conditions using a 
method that we or the CAA-NL (or its delegated agent) approve. In light 
of the type of repair that would be required to address the unsafe 
condition, and consistent with existing bilateral airworthiness 
agreements, we have determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair we 
or the CAA-NL approve would be acceptable for compliance with this 
proposed AD.
    Unlike the procedures described in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-
106, this proposed AD would not permit further flight if any crack is 
detected in the MLG main fitting. We have determined that, because of 
the safety implications and consequences associated with that cracking, 
any cracked MLG main fitting must be repaired before further flight.
    Although Dutch airworthiness directive 2002-115/2, dated October 8, 
2004, specifies that the AFM revision be done before further flight, 
this proposed AD would require that the AFM revision be done within 14 
days. Revising the AFM within 14 days represents an appropriate 
interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without 
compromising safety.

Clarification of Concurrent Action

    Although Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106 mentions that Fokker 
Service Bulletin F100-32-104, Revision 2, dated October 30, 2003, must 
be done before that service bulletin, this proposed AD would not 
require accomplishing Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-104 before Fokker 
Service Bulletin F100-32-106. The actions specified in Fokker Service 
Bulletin F100-32-104 are similar to the actions specified in Fokker 
Service Bulletin F100-32-106. Therefore it is necessary to accomplish 
only the actions in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106 to address the 
unsafe condition.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we may consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                         Number of
                                                   Average                   Cost per      U.S.-
              Action                 Work hours   labor rate     Parts       airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                              airplanes
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Inspection........................            2          $65           $0         $130           11       $1,430
AFM Revision and Placard                      1           65            0           65           11          715
 Installation.....................
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on

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products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2005-23476; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-204-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 
airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with Messier-Dowty 
Main Landing Gears (MLGs).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that an MLG main fitting 
failed on an airplane that was braking while moving backward. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the MLG main 
fitting, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
MLG main fitting.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision and Placard Installation

    (f) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, amend 
the Limitations Section of the AFM to prohibit application of brakes 
during backward movement of the airplane. This may be done by 
inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

    Note 1: When a statement to prohibit application of brakes 
during backward movement of the airplane has been included in the 
general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted 
into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.

    (g) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, affix a 
placard on the pedestal, next to the parking brake handle, having 
the following wording: ``Applicaction of Brakes During Backward 
Movement Is Prohibited.''

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (h) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD: Do an eddy current inspection of the MLG main 
fittings and repair before further flight as applicable, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin F100-32-106, dated February 18, 2005, including 
Appendices A through D, except as provided by paragraphs (i) and (j) 
of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes on which an inspection has not been done in 
accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-104, Revision 
2, dated October 30, 2003: Within 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which an inspection has been done in 
accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-104, Revision 
2, dated October 30, 2003: Within 2,000 flight cycles since the last 
inspection done in accordance with the service bulletin or within 3 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Exceptions to the Service Bulletin

    (i) Where Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106, dated February 
18, 2005, including Appendices A through D, specifies contacting the 
manufacturer for repair: Before further flight, repair using a 
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation 
Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL) (or its delegated agent).
    (j) Although Fokker Service Bulletin F100-32-106, dated February 
18, 2005, including Appendices A through D, specifies to submit 
certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include 
that requirement.

Parts Installation

    (k) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a Messier-Dowty MLG, unless it has been inspected/
repaired according to paragraph (h) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance 
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (m) Dutch airworthiness directives 2002-115/2, dated October 8, 
2004; and NL-2005-002, dated April 14, 2005, also address the 
subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E5-8240 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
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