[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24233-24236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11135]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0448; Product Identifier 2017-NM-129-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks, in various 
directions, in the lower portion of a main landing gear (MLG) piston. 
This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the MLG, 
and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5

[[Page 24234]]

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.

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-2018-
0448; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations 
office (telephone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0448; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-129-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0163, dated September 4, 2017; corrected September 5, 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 0070 and 0100 airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where, during a walk around check, a 
number of cracks, in various directions, were discovered in the 
lower portion of a MLG piston, Part Number (P/N) 41141-5. No 
technical investigation results are available as yet, but based on a 
previous event, as a result of which EASA issued AD 2009-0221R1, 
later superseded by [EASA] AD 2011-0159, stress corrosion is 
suspected to have caused these cracks.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to MLG 
failure during the landing roll-out, possibly resulting in damage to 
the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
published Service Bulletin (SB) SBF100-32-169 to provide inspection 
instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the MLG pistons for cracks 
and, depending on findings, replacement. This [EASA] AD also 
requires the reporting of inspection results to Fokker Services.
    This [EASA] AD has been republished to correct wrong P/N 
references in paragraphs (1) and (4).
    This [EASA] AD is considered an interim measure and further 
[EASA] AD action may follow.

    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-2018-
0448.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-
169, dated August 23, 2017. The service information describes 
procedures for a detailed visual inspection of the MLG, and replacement 
if necessary. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 5 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed visual inspection............  3 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $255          $1,275
                                         hour = $255.
Reporting.............................  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85             425
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLG Replacement...............................  12 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $95,000         $96,020
                                                 $1,020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 24235]]

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 NPRM is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this NPRM 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 NPRM 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 proposed 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 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 this 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);
    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.

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

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):

Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0448; Product Identifier 
2017-NM-129-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 9, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 
0100 airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 
serial numbers, if equipped with Goodrich main landing gear (MLG).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks, in various 
directions, in the lower portion of a MLG piston. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracks in the lower portion of the 
MLG, which could lead to MLG failure during the landing roll-out, 
and possibly result in damage to the airplane and injury to 
occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) One-Time Detailed Visual Inspection

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed visual inspection of each MLG piston part number 41141-5, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF100-32-169, dated August 23, 2017.

(h) Corrective Actions

    If any crack is found, during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the MLG 
piston with a serviceable piston (i.e., a new piston, a piston that 
has not accumulated any flight cycles since overhaul, or a piston 
that has been inspected as required by paragraph (g) of this AD and 
has no cracks), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-169, dated August 23, 2017.

(i) Reporting

    (1) Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) 
of the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD to Fokker 
Services B.V., Technical Services, fax: +31 (0)25-2627-211; email: 
[email protected], at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (i)(1)(i) or (i)(1)(ii) of this AD. The report must 
include the information specified in the questionnaire of Fokker 
Service Bulletin SBF100-32-169, dated August 23, 2017.
    (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) Although Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-169, dated August 
23, 2017, specifies to submit certain information to Goodrich, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Parts Installation Limitations

    As of the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install a 
piston P/N 41141-5, or a replacement MLG with a piston P/N 41141-5, 
on any airplane, provided the piston is new, or has not accumulated 
any flight cycles since overhaul, or has been inspected as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD and has no cracks.

(k) 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

[[Page 24236]]

directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (l)(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 Services B.V.'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 1 
hour 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0163, dated September 4, 2017; corrected 
September 5, 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-2018-0448.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriquez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226.
    (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. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 15, 2018.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11135 Filed 5-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


