[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21270-21272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09644]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0324; Product Identifier 2019-NM-031-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 all 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks on certain nose landing 
gear (NLG) turning tubes resulting from incorrectly applied repairs. 
This proposed AD would require removing the affected parts and 
replacing them with serviceable parts. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 28, 2019.

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.

[[Page 21271]]

     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For Fokker 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 technicalservices@fokker.com; internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. For Safran service information identified in 
this NPRM, contact Safran Landing Systems, One Carbon Way, Walton, KY 
41094; telephone (859) 525-8583; fax (859) 485-8827; internet https://www.safran-landing-systems.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-2019-
0324; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, 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-2019-0324; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-031-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 because 
of 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 
2019-0037, dated February 19, 2019 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 
0070 and 0100 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of finding cracks on certain NLG 
turning tubes. The subsequent investigation results revealed that 
the cracks initiated from an area that is sensitive to fatigue 
cracking, which had been subject to incorrectly applied repairs.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG 
turning tube failure, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane 
and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fokker Services 
published the SB [service bulletin] to provide replacement 
instructions, referring to SLS [Safran Landing Systems] SB F100-32-
117 for in-shop inspection.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires removal 
from service of the affected part and replacement with a serviceable 
part.

    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-2019-
0324.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-
171, dated November 27, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for removing and replacing affected NLG turning tubes.
    Safran has issued Service Bulletin F100-32-117, dated July 30, 
2018. This service information describes procedures for a magnetic 
particle or eddy current inspection of NLG turning tubes.
    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

    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 the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765...........................          $1,282           $2,047           $8,188
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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

[[Page 21272]]

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 and associated appliances 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-2019-0324; Product Identifier 
2019-NM-031-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 28, 2019.

(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.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on certain nose 
landing gear (NLG) turning tubes resulting from incorrectly applied 
repairs. We are issuing this AD to address cracking of NLG turning 
tubes, which could lead to NLG turning tube failure, possibly 
resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    (1) An affected part is an NLG turning tube assembly having part 
number (P/N) 201456200, 201071202, 201071240, or 201071241; 
installed on an NLG unit having a P/N identified in Safran Service 
Bulletin F100-32-117, dated July 30, 2018.
    (2) A serviceable part is an affected part that is new or that, 
before installation, has passed an inspection (no cracks found, 
having the correct radius) in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Safran Service Bulletin F100-32-117, dated July 30, 
2018.

(h) Replacement

    Within 22,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace the affected parts, with serviceable parts, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 
SBF100-32-171, dated November 27, 2018.

(i) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, an affected part, unless it is a serviceable part.

(j) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Safran Service Bulletin F100-32-117, dated July 30, 
2018, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(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 
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: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2019-0037, dated February 19, 2019, 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-2019-0324.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226.
    (3) For Fokker 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 technicalservices@fokker.com; 
internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. For Safran service 
information identified in this AD, contact Safran Landing Systems, 
One Carbon Way, Walton, KY 41094; telephone (859) 525-8583; fax 
(859) 485-8827; internet https://www.safran-landing-systems.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 3, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-09644 Filed 5-13-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


