[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69606-69609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28606]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1112; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark
0070 and 0100 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
The flight crew of a F28 Mark 0070 (Fokker 70) aeroplane
received a MLG [main landing gear] unsafe message after landing gear
down selection during approach. * * *
[[Page 69607]]
Inspection just after landing revealed a lot of ice near the LH
(left-hand) MLG downlock actuator. * * *
Based on the quantity and location of the ice, it is considered
highly likely that the ice had formed between the upper end of the
downlock actuator and the upper side brace, and was accumulated
during taxi on slush- and snow-contaminated taxiways and runway at
the departure airport.
Ice in this location prevents the actuator from turning freely
relative to the upper side brace during landing gear down selection,
likely resulting in failure of the piston rod. This condition, if
not corrected, could lead to further cases of MLG extension
problems, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane
during landing roll-out.
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 30,
2010.
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 W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For Fokker service information identified in this proposed 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
[email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com.
For Goodrich service information indentified in this proposed AD,
contact Goodrich Corporation, Landing Gear, 1400 South Service Road,
West Oakville L6L 5Y7, Ontario, Canada; telephone 905-827-7777; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You
may review copies of the referenced 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, 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 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1112;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-051-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0268, dated December 17, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The flight crew of a F28 Mark 0070 (Fokker 70) aeroplane
received a MLG [main landing gear] unsafe message after landing gear
down selection during approach. After cycling the landing gear, only
a LH [left-hand] MLG unsafe indication remained. A go-around was
initiated and alternate landing gear down selection was performed
twice, but the LH MLG did not lock down. During final approach,
without further flight crew action, all 3 green lights illuminated
and an uneventful landing was made.
Inspection just after landing revealed a lot of ice near the LH
MLG downlock actuator. Further investigation revealed that the
piston rod of the downlock actuator had failed at the threaded end
close to the eye end, which is attached to the lower lock link, and
that the piston rod was broken in an overload by bending in the neck
close to the threaded end.
Based on the quantity and location of the ice, it is considered
highly likely that the ice had formed between the upper end of the
downlock actuator and the upper side brace, and was accumulated
during taxi on slush- and snow-contaminated taxiways and runway at
the departure airport.
Ice in this location prevents the actuator from turning freely
relative to the upper side brace during landing gear down selection,
likely resulting in failure of the piston rod. This condition, if
not corrected, could lead to further cases of MLG extension
problems, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane
during landing roll-out.
To address this unsafe condition and prevent the accumulation of
water, slush and/or snow, Goodrich, the MLG manufacturer, has
introduced a new upper side brace, Part Number (P/N) 41350-3, which
has two additional drain holes. Goodrich Service Bulletin (SB)
41350-32-25 describes the modification of the P/N 41350-1 MLG upper
side brace, introducing the two additional drain holes and
consequent re-identification of the part to P/N 41350-3.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification
of both (LH and RH [right-hand]) P/N 41350-1 MLG upper side braces,
or replacement of the P/N 41350-1 upper side braces with modified P/
N 41350-3 upper side braces.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Fokker Services B.V. has issued Service Bulletin SBF100-32-157,
Revision 1, dated October 7, 2009. Goodrich Corporation has issued
Service Bulletin 41350-32-25, dated January 30, 2009. The actions
described in the service information are intended to correct the unsafe
condition identified in the MCAI.
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.
[[Page 69608]]
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 6 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 16 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Where the
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs.
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $8,160, or $1,360 per product.
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 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); 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.
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
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Fokker Services B.V.: Docket No. FAA-2010-1112; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NM-051-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 30, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070
and 0100 airplanes, certificated in any category; all serial
numbers, if equipped with Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt
Industries) main landing gears (MLGs) fitted with MLG upper side
braces having part number (P/N) 41350-1.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing
Gear.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
The flight crew of a F28 Mark 0070 (Fokker 70) aeroplane
received a MLG [main landing gear] unsafe message after landing gear
down selection during approach. * * *
Inspection just after landing revealed a lot of ice near the LH
MLG downlock actuator. * * *
Based on the quantity and location of the ice, it is considered
highly likely that the ice had formed between the upper end of the
downlock actuator and the upper side brace, and was accumulated
during taxi on slush- and snow-contaminated taxiways and runway at
the departure airport.
Ice in this location prevents the actuator from turning freely
relative to the upper side brace during landing gear down selection,
likely resulting in failure of the piston rod. This condition, if
not corrected, could lead to further cases of MLG extension
problems, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane
during landing roll-out.
* * * * *
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.
Actions
(g) Within 8,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, modify or replace the side stay upper braces of the left-hand
and right-hand MLG, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 41350-32-25, dated January
30, 2009; and Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-157, Revision 1,
dated October 7, 2009.
(h) After modifying the side stay upper braces of the left-hand
and right-hand MLG as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do not
install any Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt Industries) side stay
upper brace assembly having P/N 41350-1 on any airplane.
(i) After modifying the side stay upper braces of the left-hand
and right-hand MLG as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do not
install any Goodrich (formerly Menasco, Colt Industries) MLG on any
airplane, unless the replacement MLG has side stay upper braces
having P/N 41350-3.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
[[Page 69609]]
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. The AMOC approval letter must
specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, 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 and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(k) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2009-0268, dated December 17, 2009; Fokker Service
Bulletin SBF100-32-157, Revision 1, dated October 7, 2009; and
Goodrich Service Bulletin 41350-32-25, dated January 30, 2009; for
related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 2010.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-28606 Filed 11-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P