FR Doc E6-22282

[Federal Register: December 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 249)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 78099-78101]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28de06-16]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26709; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-202-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed
AD would require inspecting the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)
main landing gear (MLG) door to determine whether certain part numbers
are installed. For airplanes having certain doors, this proposed AD
would require inspecting the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and
loose sealant/bolts/nuts, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require, for
airplanes having certain doors, modifying the rod bracket attachment of
the MLG outboard door. This proposed AD results from a report of a rod
bracket of the MLG door detaching during flight. We are proposing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the rod bracket attachment bolts,
which could result in the rod brackets detaching from the MLG door and
blocking the proper functioning of the MLG.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 29,
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box
231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, for service information
identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26709; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-202-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100
airplanes equipped with certain carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)
main landing gear (MLG) doors. The CAA-NL reports that a rod bracket of
the MLG door of a Model F.28 Mark 0070 airplane detached during flight.
Investigation showed that the operating rod between the MLG outboard
door and the MLG fitting was broken and the rod's bracket was detached
from the outboard door. The affected parts subsequently got stuck
between the MLG and the outboard door hinge, resulting in damage to the
two adjacent hydraulic lines. An investigation of a similar event
revealed an operating rod bracket broken loose from the CFRP MLG door.
Several other operators have also reported finding partly detached
operating rod brackets. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in rod

[[Page 78100]]

brackets detaching from the CFRP MLG outboard door and blocking the
proper functioning of the MLG.

Relevant Service Information

Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-
080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November
15, 2005.
In Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, the service bulletin describes procedures for doing a
detailed inspection of the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and
loose sealant/bolts/nuts. The detailed inspection consists of the
following actions:
Inspecting for any cracks in the CFRP skin of the MLG
outboard door.
Inspecting for play between the countersunk bolt-heads and
the CFRP outer skin.
Inspecting for cracks in the paint.
Inspecting for play between the operating rod bracket and
the MLG outboard door.
Inspecting for loose sealant around the edges of the
bracket and loose bolts and nuts.
Part 1 of the service bulletin also describes doing the following
related investigative action if play is found or if there are any loose
bolts/nuts: Inspecting the inside of the door for cracks in the CFRP
outer skin at the bolt hole locations and/or checking for delamination
by tapping.
Part 1 of the service bulletin also describes doing one of the
following corrective actions if play is found, if there are any loose
bolts/nuts, or if any crack is found: Contacting Fokker, operating
under Configuration Deviation List (CDL) item 52-07 (``operating with
MLG strut bay doors missing'') of the Fokker Appendix CDL, to Fokker
70/Fokker 100 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), Version 06, Issue 010, or
doing the modification of the MLG outboard door operating rod bracket
attachment specified in Part 2 of the service bulletin.
Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin
describes procedures for modifying the MLG outboard door operating rod
bracket attachment. The modification includes installing internal and
external reinforcement plates, reidentifying the outboard MLG door, and
doing the following related investigative actions and corrective
actions:
Inspecting for damage of the operating rod bracket and
operating rod.
If any damage is found, doing one of the following:
contacting Fokker, operating under CDL item 52-07, or replacing damaged
part with a new part.
Inspecting for cracks and and/or checking for delamination
by tapping of the skin around the attachment holes.
If any crack or delamination is found, doing one of the
following: Repairing the cracks or delamination, or contacting Fokker
if any crack or delamination is found beyond 10 millimeters (mm) (0.040
inches) from the bolt holes.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAA-NL
mandated the service information and issued Dutch airworthiness
directive NL-2006-001, dated January 5, 2006, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

These airplane models are manufactured in the Netherlands and are
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA-NL has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the CAA-
NL's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that
we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD
would require repairing those conditions using a method that we or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent)
approve. In light of the type of repair that would be required to
address the unsafe condition, and consistent with existing bilateral
airworthiness agreements, we have determined that, for this proposed
AD, a repair we or the EASA approve would be acceptable for compliance
with this proposed AD.

Clarification of Service Bulletin

Paragraph B.(3) of Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin specifies to inspect for loose sealant and paragraph
B.(6) specifies to inspect for delamination. However corrective actions
for those conditions are not specified in the service bulletin. This
proposed AD would require doing the corrective action specified in
paragraph C.(3) of the service bulletin if any loose sealant or
delamination is found during any inspection specified in paragraph (g)
of the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspections....................... 2 $80 $0 $160 7 $1,120
Modification...................... 6 80 1,066 1,546 7 10,822
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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

[[Page 78101]]

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.

Regulatory Findings

We have 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 that the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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

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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Fokker Services B.V: Docket No. FAA-2006-26709; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NM-202-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January
29, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of a rod bracket of the main
landing gear (MLG) door detaching during flight. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the rod bracket attachment bolts,
which could result in the rod brackets detaching from the MLG door
and blocking the proper functioning of the MLG.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Inspections

(f) Within nine months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) MLG doors to
determine if any MLG door having a part number (P/N) D13312-401
through -410 inclusive is installed. A review of airplane
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the
part number of the CFRP MLG doors can be conclusively determined
from that review. If the CFRP MLG doors have any part number other
than P/N D13312-401 through -410 inclusive installed, no further
action is required by this AD.
(g) If any CFRP MLG door having any P/N D13312-401 through-410
inclusive is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)
of this AD: Within nine months after the effective date of this AD,
do a detailed inspection of the MLG outboard door for cracks, play,
and loose sealant/bolts/nuts as specified in Part 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-
080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change
Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated
November 15, 2005, and do all applicable related investigative and
corrective actions, by doing all the applicable actions specified in
Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin,
except as provided by paragraphs (i), (j), and (k) of this AD. Do
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before
further flight.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Modification

(h) If any CFRP MLG door having any P/N D13312-401 through-410
inclusive is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)
of this AD: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
modify the MLG outboard door operating rod bracket attachment and do
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions by doing
all the applicable actions specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated
December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005,
except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.

Exceptions to the Service Bulletin

(i) Where Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated December
12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance
Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005, specifies to
contact the manufacturer for repair, before further flight, repair
using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).
(j) If any loose sealant or any delamination is found during any
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further
flight, do the corrective action specified in paragraph C.(3) of
Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin
SBF100-52-080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual
Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated
November 15, 2005.
(k) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(m) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2006-001, dated January 5,
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22282 Filed 12-27-06; 8:45 am]

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