[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32607-32608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15677]



[[Page 32607]]

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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.

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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. 98-15677 Filed 6-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U