Airworthiness directives: Fokker,

[Federal Register: June 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 114)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 32607-32608]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr15jn98-6]

[[Page 32607]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-98-AD; Amendment 39-10588; AD 98-12-35]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the actuating ram bobbin and O-ring seals of the main landing gear (MLG) with new bobbins and improved O-ring seals. 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 loss of dampening of the MLG actuating ram, which could result in failure of the MLG lockstruts, and consequent structural damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 20, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 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 certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 1998 (63 FR 18342). That action proposed to require replacement of the actuating ram bobbin and O-ring seals of the main landing gear (MLG) with new bobbins and improved O-ring seals.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 26 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be furnished by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $53,040, or $1,560 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:

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:

    98-12-35 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-10588. Docket 98-NM-98- AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes; equipped with Dunlop main landing gear (MLG) actuating rams having part number (P/N) AC67132, AC67134, AC67848, or AC67850; 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 loss of dampening of the MLG actuating ram, which could result in failure of the MLG lockstruts, and consequent structural damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:

    (a) Within 4,000 flight hours or 2 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the actuating ram bobbin, O-ring seals, and back-up O-ring seals of the MLG with new bobbins and improved O-ring seals, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October 23, 1996.

    Note 2: Dunlop Equipment Division Service Bulletin SB 32-1142, dated October 22, 1996, and Revision 1, dated January 14, 1997, provides service information for accomplishment of the modification.

    [[Page 32608]]

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on any airplane a Dunlop Main Undercarriage Ram, part number (P/N) AC67132, AC67134, AC67848, or AC67850, unless it has been modified in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October 23, 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 request through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-168, dated October 23, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch airworthiness directive 1996-142(A), dated November 29, 1996.

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 1998. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    [FR Doc. 98-15677Filed6-12-98; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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