[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7968-7972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1021; Product Identifier 2017-NM-052-AD; Amendment 
39-19198; AD 2018-04-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report that a jammed control cable prevented the full 
extension of the nose landing gear (LG). This AD requires a general 
visual inspection of the LG handle teleflex cable conduit connector for 
the presence of a grease nipple, a maintenance records check of 
affected airplanes, a detailed inspection for

[[Page 7969]]

corrosion and damage of the LG handle teleflex cable, and corrective 
actions if necessary. This AD also requires revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable. We are issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 
2130 EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax 
+31 (0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1021.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1021; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3226; fax 206-
231-3398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Fokker Services 
B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 6, 2017 (82 FR 51364) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report that a jammed control cable prevented the full 
extension of the nose LG. The NPRM proposed to require a general visual 
inspection of the LG handle teleflex cable conduit connector for the 
presence of a grease nipple, a maintenance records check of affected 
airplanes, and if necessary, a detailed inspection for corrosion and 
damage of the LG handle teleflex cable, replacement if found, and 
lubrication. It also proposed to require revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct erratic or hard-to-move LG handles, which could lead to the 
nose LG not being in the fully extended position during landing and 
consequent damage to the airplane and injury to the flight crew and 
passengers.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0068, dated April 24, 2017 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 
Mark 0100 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A report was received of an alledgedly post-SBF100-32-107 
(introducing a teleflex cable conduit with a grease nipple and a 
stainless steel teleflex cable) Fokker 100 aeroplane landing with a 
nose landing gear (LG) that was not completely in the extended 
position, in spite of the application by the crew of the relevant 
normal and abnormal Airplane Flight Manual LG extension procedures. 
The investigation revealed that the failure of the nose LG to 
completely extend had been caused by a jammed teleflex cable of the 
LG control system, which resulted in a hydraulic lock in the nose LG 
extension/retraction actuator. The investigation also revealed that 
the teleflex cable conduit connector on the subject aeroplane did 
not have the grease nipple installed, so that the aeroplane was 
actually not in the full post-SBF100-32-107 configuration.
    Based on an incorrect assumption with regard to full 
incorporation of SBF100-32-107 (i.e. the presence of the grease 
nipple on the conduit connector), Maintenance Review Board (MRB) 
task 323100-00-04 (removal, inspection, greasing and reinstallation 
of teleflex cable), which is only applicable for aeroplanes without 
the grease nipple, had been removed from the scheduled maintenance 
programme for the aeroplane. As a result, no detailed inspection or 
greasing of the teleflex cable had been accomplished on the 
aeroplane during the last 24,000 flight cycles (FC) or 17 years, 
leading to a lack of lubricant and excessive wear of the cable. 
Analysis indicates the possibility of more aeroplanes that do not 
have the grease nipple on the conduit connector, and where MRB task 
323100-00-04 has been inadvertently removed from the scheduled 
maintenance program.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
further landings with the nose LG not in the fully extended 
position, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury 
to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
published SBF100-32-167 (hereafter referred to as `the SB' in this 
[EASA] AD) to provide inspection instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [general visual] inspection of the LG handle teleflex cable 
conduit connector for the presence of the grease nipple and, 
depending on findings, [a maintenance records check and] 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). This [EASA] AD 
also requires the reporting of findings to Fokker Services, and to 
ensure that the maintenance [or inspection] programme [as 
applicable] contains those instructions applicable to the aeroplane 
configuration.

    Required actions also include a detailed inspection for corrosion 
and damage of the LG handle teleflex cable, replacement of the LG 
handle teleflex cable if necessary, and lubrication of the LG handle 
teleflex cable. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1021.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We considered the comment received. The commenter, 
Peter North, supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-
167, dated December 14, 2016. This service information describes 
procedures for a one-time inspection of the nose LG control cable; a 
maintenance records check; detailed inspection, replacement, and 
lubrication of the LG handle teleflex cable; and

[[Page 7970]]

revision of the maintenance program. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and maintenance or           4 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $340          $2,720
 inspection program revision.            hour = $340.
Reporting.............................  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85             680
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required based on the results of the inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance records check, inspection,          1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85              $0             $85
 replacement, and lubrication.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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 products identified in this 
rulemaking action.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    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),
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2018-04-03 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-19198; Docket No. FAA-
2017-1021; Product Identifier 2017-NM-052-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 30, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 7971]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 11244 
through 11481 inclusive, if maintenance records show that the 
airplane is in a post-Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-107 
configuration.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that lack of maintenance on a 
control system cable caused a hydraulic lock and difficult operation 
of the nose landing gear (LG) handle, preventing full extension of 
the nose LG when landing. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct erratic or hard-to-move LG handles, which could lead to the 
nose LG not being in the fully extended position during landing and 
consequent damage to the airplane and injury to the flight crew and 
passengers.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection of the LG handle teleflex cable conduit 
connector for the presence of a grease nipple, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
32-167, dated December 14, 2016.

(h) Maintenance Records Check

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
a grease nipple is not found installed: Within 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, check the maintenance records of the 
affected airplane for the previous 3 months for reports of an 
erratic or hard-to-move LG handle, and check the maintenance records 
to determine the date of the most recent installation, or 
inspection/lubrication, as applicable, of the LG handle teleflex 
cable.

(i) Inspection, Replacement, and Lubrication

    Based on results of the maintenance records check required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD: Within the applicable compliance times 
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD, do a detailed 
inspection for corrosion and damage of the LG handle teleflex cable, 
replace the LG handle teleflex cable if any corrosion or damage is 
found, and lubricate the LG handle teleflex cable, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-32-167, dated December 14, 2016.

          Table 1 to Paragraph (i) of This AD--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Results of maintenance records check           Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report(s) of erratic and/or hard-to-     Before further flight after
 move LG handle.                          accomplishing the check
                                          required by paragraph (h) of
                                          this AD.
Last installation or inspection/         Before further flight after
 lubrication of the LG handle teleflex    accomplishing the check
 cable is not known.                      required by paragraph (h) of
                                          this AD.
Last installation or inspection/         Before further flight after
 lubrication of the LG handle teleflex    accomplishing the check
 cable is known and the airplane has      required by paragraph (h) of
 18,000 flight cycles or more, or 12      this AD.
 years or more, since the last
 installation or inspection/lubrication
 of the LG handle teleflex cable.
Last installation or inspection/         Within 6 months after
 lubrication of the LG handle teleflex    accomplishing the check
 cable is known and the airplane has      required by paragraph (h) of
 more than 12,000 flight hours, but       this AD.
 less than 18,000 flight cycles, since
 the last installation or inspection/
 lubrication of the LG handle teleflex
 cable.
Last installation or inspection/         Within 6 months after
 lubrication of the LG handle teleflex    accomplishing the check
 cable is known and the airplane has 8    required by paragraph (h) of
 years or more but less than 12 years     this AD.
 since the last installation or
 inspection/lubrication of the LG
 handle teleflex cable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(j) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-
32-167, dated December 14, 2016, to incorporate the applicable tasks 
and associated thresholds and intervals, based on the airplane 
configuration (pre- or post-SBF100-32-107) determined in the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Reporting

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, or within 
30 days after doing the inspection required by paragraph (g) or (h) 
of this AD, whichever occurs later: Report the findings of the 
inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and the records 
check specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, to Fokker Services 
B.V., in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-32-167, dated December 14, 2016.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Fokker B.V. Service's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD

[[Page 7972]]

2017-0068, dated April 24, 2017, for related information. This MCAI 
may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2017-1021.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 206-231-3226; fax 206-231-3398.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-167, dated December 14, 
2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 2130 
EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; telephone +31 (0)88-6280-350; fax +31 
(0)88-6280-111; email [email protected]; internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03437 Filed 2-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P