[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46859-46862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19754]


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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; Amendment 
39-19403; AD 2018-19-03]
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 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a report of cracks, in various directions, in the lower 
portion of a main landing gear (MLG) piston. This AD requires a 
detailed visual inspection of the MLG, and replacement if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22, 
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; phone: +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

[[Page 46860]]

South 216th St., 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-2018-0448.

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 Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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 Rodriquez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax 206-231-3226.

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 0070 and 0100 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 25, 2018 (83 FR 24233). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report of cracks, in various directions, in the lower portion of a 
MLG piston. The NPRM proposed to require a detailed visual inspection 
of the MLG, and replacement if necessary.
    We are issuing this AD to address 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.
    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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this final rule 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 addressing 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-
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 46861]]

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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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):

2018-19-03 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-19403; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0448; Product Identifier 2017-NM-129-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 22, 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 (P/N) 
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 
MLG piston P/N 41141-5, or a replacement MLG with a MLG piston P/N 
41141-5, on any airplane, provided the MLG 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

[[Page 46862]]

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 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; phone and 
fax 206-231-3226.

(m) 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 SBF100-32-169, dated August 23, 
2017.
    (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; phone: +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 St., 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 Des Moines, Washington, on August 30, 2018.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19754 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


