68156 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Chapter 52–30–2 of the F28 Maintenance

Manual. If any corrosion is detected, prior to

further flight, remove and repair it in

accordance with the maintenance manual.

(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) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of

this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin

F28–52–111, dated March 12, 1994. 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 No.

1995–126 (A), dated November 30, 1995.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

February 4, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

December 22, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–34003 Filed 12–30–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–281–AD; Amendment

39–10268; AD 98–01–04]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker

Model F27 Mark 050 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to all Fokker Model F27

Mark 050 series airplanes. This action

requires a one-time inspection of the

main landing gear (MLG) locklinks to

determine if the lockwire that secures

both platform bolts is in one piece and

in position; and corrective action, if

necessary. This amendment is prompted

by the issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified in this AD are

intended to prevent collapse of the MLG

due to failure of the locklinks to lock in

the down position.

DATES: Effective January 15, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of January 15,

1998.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

January 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

281–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

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

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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: The

Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is

the airworthiness authority for the

Netherlands, notified the FAA that an

unsafe condition may exist on all

Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series

airplanes. The RLD advises that an

operator of a Model F27 Mark 050 series

airplane reported an incident in which

the left main landing gear (MLG) had

failed to lock in the down position and

subsequently collapsed during roll-out

after landing. Subsequent investigation

revealed that, of the two bolts required

to secure the downlock platform of the

MLG locklink, one bolt was missing.

Because the downlock platform was

secured with only a single bolt, the

platform rotated and the MLG was

prevented from reaching its

overcentered and locked position. The

reason for the missing bolt is being

investigated and may be attributed to a

problem that occurred during

manufacture or maintenance.

Additionally, another operator reported

finding a broken and partly missing

lockwire and a loose affected bolt. Such

loose bolts or damaged/missing

lockwire, if not corrected, could result

in failure of the MLG to lock in the

down position, which could cause the

MLG to collapse.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Fokker has issued Service Bulletin

SBF50–32–033, dated December 20,

1996, which describes procedures for a

one-time inspection of the MLG

locklinks to determine if the lockwire

that secures both platform bolts is in

one piece and in position; the service

bulletin also describes procedures for

correction of any discrepancy. The RLD

classified this service bulletin as

mandatory and issued Dutch

airworthiness directive BLA 1996–146

(A), dated December 23, 1996, in order

to assure the continued airworthiness of

these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the Netherlands and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of section

21.29 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness

agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the RLD has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the RLD,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, this AD requires accomplishment

of the actions specified in the service

bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

None of the airplanes affected by this

action is on the U.S. Register. All

airplanes included in the applicability

of this rule currently are operated by

non-U.S. operators under foreign
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 68157

registry; therefore, they are not directly

affected by this AD action. However, the

FAA considers that this rule is

necessary to ensure that the unsafe

condition is addressed in the event that

any of these subject airplanes are

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require

approximately 1 work hour to

accomplish the required actions, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of this AD would be $60 per airplane.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since this AD action does not affect

any airplane that is currently on the

U.S. register, it has no adverse economic

impact and imposes no additional

burden on any person. Therefore, prior

notice and public procedures hereon are

unnecessary and the amendment may be

made effective in less than 30 days after

publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule and was not preceded by

notice and opportunity for public

comment, comments are invited on this

rule. Interested persons are invited to

comment on this rule by submitting

such written data, views, or arguments

as they may desire. Communications

shall identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the

address specified under the caption

ADDRESSES. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered, and

this rule may be amended in light of the

comments received. Factual information

that supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–NM–281–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

98–01–04 Fokker: Amendment 39–10268.

Docket 97–NM–281–AD.

Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 050

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 collapse of the main landing

gear (MLG) due to failure of the locklinks to

lock in the down position, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of

this AD, inspect the left and right MLG

locklinks to determine if the lockwire that

secures both platform bolts is in one piece

and in position, in accordance with Fokker

Service Bulletin SBF50–32–033, dated

December 20, 1996. If any discrepancy is

found, prior to further flight, accomplish

corrective actions in accordance with the

service bulletin.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install on any airplane an MLG

locklink unless it has been inspected and

applicable corrective actions have been

performed, in accordance with Fokker

Service Bulletin SBF50–32–033, dated

December 20, 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 accomplished in

accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin

SBF50–32–033, dated December 20, 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 BLA 1996–

146 (A), dated December 23, 1996.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

January 15, 1998.
68158 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

December 23, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–34042 Filed 12–30–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–224–AD; Amendment

39–10269; AD 98–01–05]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace Model HS 748 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain British Aerospace

HS 748 series airplanes. This action

requires installation of an aileron cable

support block under the crew

compartment floor. This amendment is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified in this AD are

intended to prevent jamming or

restriction of the aileron cable, which

could lead to reduced controllability of

the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 15, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of January 15,

1998.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

January 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

224–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

The service information referenced in

this AD may be obtained from AI(R)

American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen

Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This

information may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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: The Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, notified the FAA that an

unsafe condition may exist on certain

British Aerospace Model HS 748 series

airplanes. The CAA advises that it has

received three reports of low aileron

cable tension when the aircraft has been

flown in extremely low temperatures. If

the aileron cables are not correctly

tensioned, under certain control wheel

loading conditions the aileron cable will

sag, which may result in jamming or

restriction of the aileron cable. This

condition, if not corrected, could result

in reduced controllability of the

airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued

Jetstream Service Bulletin HS 748–27–

63, Revision 4, dated May 12, 1995,

which describes procedures for

installation of an aileron cable support

block under the crew compartment

floor. Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

unsafe condition.

The CAA classified this service

bulletin as mandatory and issued British

airworthiness directive 008–05–94 in

order to assure the continued

airworthiness of these airplanes in the

United Kingdom.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the United Kingdom and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of section

21.29 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness

agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the CAA has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the CAA,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, this AD is being issued to require

accomplishment of the actions specified

in the service bulletin described

previously.

Cost Impact

None of the Model HS 748 series

airplanes affected by this action are on

the U.S. Register. All airplanes included

in the applicability of this rule currently

are operated by non-U.S. operators

under foreign registry; therefore, they

are not directly affected by this AD

action. However, the FAA considers that

this rule is necessary to ensure that the

unsafe condition is addressed in the

event that any of these subject airplanes

are imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require

approximately 8 work hours to

accomplish the required actions, at an

average labor charge of $60 per work

hour. Required parts would cost

approximately $100 per airplane. Based

on these figures, the cost impact of this

AD would be $580 per airplane.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since this AD action does not affect

any airplane that is currently on the

U.S. register, it has no adverse economic

impact and imposes no additional

burden on any person. Therefore, prior

notice and public procedures hereon are

unnecessary and the amendment may be

made effective in less than 30 days after

publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule and was not preceded by

notice and opportunity for public

comment, comments are invited on this

rule. Interested persons are invited to

comment on this rule by submitting

such written data, views, or arguments

as they may desire. Communications

shall identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the

address specified under the caption

ADDRESSES. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered, and

this rule may be amended in light of the

comments received. Factual information

that supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the rule. All comments