Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48563-48565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19912]


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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; Amendment 
39-19726; AD 2019-17-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by reports of cracks on certain nose landing gear (NLG) 
turning tubes resulting from incorrectly applied repairs. This AD 
requires removing the affected parts and replacing them with 
serviceable parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 21, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 21, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For Fokker service information identified in this final 
rule, 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 [email protected]; internet 
http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. For Safran service information identified 
in this final rule, 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. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0324.

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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Fokker Services 
B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 14, 2019 (84 FR 21270). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of cracks on certain NLG turning tubes resulting from 
incorrectly applied repairs. The NPRM proposed to require removing the 
affected parts and replacing them with serviceable parts.
    The FAA is 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.
    The European Union 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

[[Page 48564]]

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.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

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 Landing Systems has issued Safran 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.
    Costs of Compliance
    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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.
    This 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

    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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

    2019-17-06 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-19726; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0324; Product Identifier 2019-NM-031-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 21, 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. The FAA is 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

[[Page 48565]]

201071241 installed on an NLG unit having a part number 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: [email protected]. 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 Union 
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.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-32-171, dated November 27, 
2018.
    (ii) Safran Service Bulletin F100-32-117, dated July 30, 2018.
    (3) For Fokker service information identified in this final 
rule, 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 
[email protected]; internet http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. 
For Safran service information identified in this final rule, 
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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this 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, email [email protected], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 22, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19912 Filed 9-13-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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