[Federal Register: March 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 49)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11014-11017]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr09-8]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0214; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-343-AD;
Amendment 39-15851; AD 2009-06-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.27 Mark 050 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 11015]]
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Fokker Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes. This AD requires
measuring the length of the extended portion of the sliding member of
the main landing gear, performing an inspection for the presence of
lockwiring, and doing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results
from a report that the sliding member of the main landing gear has been
overextended after landing. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct improper installation of the lockwire on the two lockbolts that
hold the sliding member end stop, which could result in structural
damage of the main gear and loss of control of the airplane during the
landing roll, due to main landing gear overextension.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 31, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 31,
2009.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 15, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Fokker
Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-
Vennep, the Netherlands; Telephone +31 (0)252-627-350; fax +31 (0)252-
627-211; e-mail technicalservices.fokkerservices@stork.com; Internet
http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket 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 Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an
unsafe condition might exist on certain Fokker Model F.27 Mark 050
airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that there has been a report that the
sliding member of the main landing gear has been overextended after
landing. During subsequent investigation, it was found that an end stop
had unscrewed itself to a certain extent, and that there was no
lockwiring present on the two lockbolts that hold the end stop. The
unscrewed end stop caused the gear torque links of the main landing
gear to come into an overextended position against the sliding member.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in structural damage of
the main gear and loss of control of the airplane during the landing
roll, due to main landing gear overextension.
Relevant Service Information
Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated July 2,
2007, which describes procedures for measuring the length of the
extended portion of the sliding member of the main landing gear, and
performing an inspection for the presence of lockwiring on the lock
bolts of the two end stops, and doing corrective actions if necessary.
Corrective actions include applying lockwiring if not installed or
installed incorrectly.
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-2007-002, dated October 31, 2007 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in the Netherlands.
Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated July 2, 2007, refers to
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F50-32-62, dated January 17, 2007, as an
additional source of service information for measuring the length of
the extended portion of the sliding member of the main landing gear,
performing an inspection for the presence of lockwiring on the lock
bolts of the two end stops, and installing new lockwiring when
lockwiring is missing or installed incorrectly.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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.
Therefore, we are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper
installation of the lockwire on the two lockbolts that hold the sliding
member end stop, which could result in structural damage of the main
gear and loss of control of the airplane during the landing roll, due
to main landing gear overextension. This AD requires accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information described previously,
except as discussed under ``Differences Between the AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI
The MCAI specifies only to inspect for the presence of lockwiring
if overextension is found. However, Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F50-
32-62, dated January 17, 2007, also specifies to inspect if the
measurement has increased between inspections. This AD requires
inspection for the presence of lockwiring if overextension is found or
the measurement of the repeat inspection has increased by 1.0 mm
compared to a previous inspection. We have coordinated this difference
with CAA-NL.
Costs of Compliance
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the required actions would take about 8 work hours per
airplane, at an average
[[Page 11016]]
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $1,082
per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD
would be $1,722 per airplane.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register.
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
``Docket No. FAA-2009-0214; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-343-AD'' at
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend this AD 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 AD.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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 the 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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2009-06-14 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-15851. Docket No. FAA-
2009-0214; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-343-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective March 31, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing
Gear.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report that the sliding member of the
main landing gear has been overextended after landing. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct improper installation of the
lockwire on the two lockbolts that hold the sliding member end stop,
which could result in structural damage of the main gear and loss of
control of the airplane during the landing roll, due to main landing
gear overextension.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Measurement, Inspection, and Corrective Actions
(g) Within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, measure the length of the extended portion of the sliding member
of the main landing gear in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated July 2,
2007. Repeat the measurement at intervals not to exceed 500 flight
cycles until the requirements of paragraph (g) have been completed.
(h) At the applicable time in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this
AD, perform an inspection for the presence and correct installation
of lockwiring on the two end stop lock bolts of the main landing
gear, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker
Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated July 2, 2007. If lockwiring is
not present or is not installed correctly, install lockwiring before
further flight in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-
039, dated July 2, 2007.
(1) During any measurement required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
if overextension is found, or the measurement has increased by 1.0
millimeter (mm) or more compared to the previous measurement,
inspect before further flight.
(2) If no overextension is found and the measurement has not
increased by 1.0 mm or more between measurements during the
measurements required by paragraph (g) of this AD, inspect within
4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Note 1: Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated July 2,
2007, refers to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F50-32-62, dated
January 17, 2007, as an additional source of service information for
measuring the length of the extended portion of the sliding member
of the main landing gear, performing an inspection for the presence
of lockwiring on the lock bolts of the two end stops, and installing
new lockwiring.
(i) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (g) of this
AD, overextension is found or the measurement has increased by 1.0
mm or more compared to the previous measurement; or if, during any
inspection required by paragraph (h) of the AD, lockwiring is not
present or is not installed correctly; submit a report to Fokker
Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE
Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands; facsimile (31) 252-627-211; e-mail
technicalservices.fokkerservices@stork.com,
[[Page 11017]]
at the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of
this AD. The report must include any finding of overextension or
incorrect lockwiring to Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services
Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands;
facsimile (31) 252-627-211. Under the provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements
contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) If the inspection or measurement was done on or after the
effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after
the inspection or measurement, as applicable.
(2) If the inspection or measurement was accomplished prior to
the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD.
(j) As of 5 months after the effective date of this AD: No
person may install a main landing gear on any airplane unless Part B
of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F50-32-62, dated January 17, 2007,
has been accomplished for that part.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
Related Information
(l) Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL)
Airworthiness Directive NL-2007-002, dated October 31, 2007, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-32-039, dated
July 2, 2007; and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F50-32-62, dated
January 17, 2007; as applicable; to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For Fokker service information identified in this AD,
contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box
231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands; Telephone +31 (0)252-
627-350; fax +31 (0)252-627-211; e-mail
technicalservices.fokkerservices@stork.com; Internet http://
www.myfokkerfleet.com.
(3) For Messier-Dowty service information identified in this AD,
Messier-Dowty Limited, Cheltenham Road, Gloucester, GL2 9QH,
England; Telephone +44 (0) 1452 711732; fax +44 (0) 1452 713821.
(4) You may review copies of this service information at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(5) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 27, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-5007 Filed 3-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P