Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 500 and 600 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35624-35627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14783]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-202-AD; 
Amendment 39-16333; AD 2010-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 
500 and 600 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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:

    A Fokker 50 operator reported an overextended MLG [main landing 
gear] sliding member after landing. During subsequent investigation 
it was found that an end stop had unscrewed itself to a certain 
extent. This caused the MLG torque links to move into an overcentre 
position against the MLG sliding member. Investigation learned that 
there was no lockwiring present on the two lockbolts, which hold the 
end stop. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural 
damage of the main gear and loss of control of the aeroplanes during 
the landing roll.

    This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 8, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 8, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 9, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.

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 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:

[[Page 35625]]

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0145, dated July 31, 2009 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A Fokker 50 operator reported an overextended MLG [main landing 
gear] sliding member after landing. During subsequent investigation 
it was found that an end stop had unscrewed itself to a certain 
extent. This caused the MLG torque links to move into an overcentre 
position against the MLG sliding member. Investigation learned that 
there was no lockwiring present on the two lockbolts, which hold the 
end stop. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural 
damage of the main gear and loss of control of the aeroplanes during 
the landing roll.
    EASA issued AD 2009-0018 to address this unsafe condition [on 
Model Mark 050, Mark 0502 and Mark 0604 airplanes]. Earlier F27 Mark 
500 and 600 `RFV' aeroplanes are equipped with similar design MLG 
units.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
[general visual] inspections for the presence and proper application 
of lockwiring on the two lockbolts which hold the sliding member end 
stop, and corrective action, depending on findings.

    Required actions include repetitive measurements of the length of 
the extended portion of the MLG sliding member, and corrective actions 
including repetitively inspecting the lockwiring on the two sliding 
member end stop lock bolts for missing or damaged lockwiring, and 
installing lockwiring, as applicable. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, 
dated January 26, 2009. Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, dated 
January 26, 2009, refers to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 32-91W, 
dated September 8, 2008, as an additional source of guidance for 
accomplishment of the actions required by this AD. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Differences Between the 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 required 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 AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0551; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NM-202-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 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 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); 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.

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.

[[Page 35626]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-13-02 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-16333. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-202-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 8, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 500 
and 600 airplanes; certified in any category; having serial numbers 
(S/Ns) 10452, 10525,10530, 10531, 10550, 10557, 10559, 10566, 10569, 
10589, 10603, 10605, 10606, 10613, 10615, 10623 through 10631 
inclusive, 10633, 10637, 10639, 10641, 10642, 10669, and 10672.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    A Fokker 50 operator reported an overextended MLG [main landing 
gear] sliding member after landing. During subsequent investigation 
it was found that an end stop had unscrewed itself to a certain 
extent. This caused the MLG torque links to move into an overcentre 
position against the MLG sliding member. Investigation learned that 
there was no lockwiring present on the two lockbolts, which hold the 
end stop. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural 
damage of the main gear and loss of control of the aeroplanes during 
the landing roll.

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 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 (MLG), in accordance with Part 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, 
dated January 26, 2009. Repeat the measurement at intervals not to 
exceed 500 flight cycles until lockwiring is installed in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, dated January 26, 2009, or 
the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD have been completed.
    (h) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD, perform a general visual inspection for the 
presence of lockwiring and damage to lockwiring on the two sliding 
member end stop lock bolts of the MLG, in accordance with Part 2 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-
172, dated January 26, 2009. If lockwiring is missing or damaged, 
install lockwiring before further flight, in accordance with Fokker 
Service Bulletin F27/32-172, dated January 26, 2009.
    (1) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, 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 during any measurement required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no overextension is found and the measurement has not increased 
by 1.0 mm or more compared to the previous measurement, inspect 
within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 1:  Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, dated January 26, 
2009, refers to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 32-91W, dated 
September 8, 2008, as an additional source of guidance.

    (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 this 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; telephone +31 (0)252-627-350; fax +31 
(0)252-627-211; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com; 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 or missing 
lockwiring.
    (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 was accomplished, 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) If lockwiring is installed in accordance with paragraph (h) 
of this AD, or if no discrepancies are found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, as applicable, the repetitive 
measurement required by paragraph (g) of this AD is no longer 
required by this AD.
    (k) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install a 
MLG on any airplane unless Part 2 of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-
172, dated January 26, 2009, has been accomplished for that part.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (l) 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. 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

    (m) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2009-0145, dated July 31, 2009; and Fokker Service 
Bulletin F27/32-172, dated January 26, 2009; for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32-172, dated 
January 26, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 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 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. For Messier-Dowty service information 
identified in this AD, contact Messier-Dowty: Messier Services 
Americas, Customer Support Center, 45360 Severn Way, Sterling, 
Virginia 20166-8910; telephone 703-450-8233; fax 703-404-1621; 
Internet https://techpubs.services/messier-dowty.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) 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/

[[Page 35627]]

code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 10, 2010.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14783 Filed 6-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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