Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-8830; AD 94-04-10]

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes, that

requires replacement of the bottom joint fittings and modification of

these new bottom joint fittings, the main landing gear (MLG) rear spar

fittings, and the rear spar webs by cold-expanding the bolt holes. This

amendment is prompted by full-scale fatigue testing of a Fokker Model

F28 Mark 0100 series airplane, which revealed cracks in the MLG rear

spar fitting. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent

loss of the structural integrity of the MLG attachments.

DATES: Effective April 6, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of April 6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street,

Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be examined at the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,

Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2141; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on August 3, 1993 (58 FR 41210). (A

correction of the rule was published in the Federal Register August 9,

1993 (58 FR 42361).) That action proposed to require replacement of the

bottom joint fittings and modification of these new bottom joint

fittings, the MLG rear spar fittings, and the rear spar webs by cold-

expanding the bolt holes.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the comments received.

One commenter supports the rules as proposed.

The Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of one of its

members, requests that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be revised to

include Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification (SBCN) SBF100-57-

020/01, dated February 4, 1993, as an additional source of service

information. This commenter states that, since one operator has already

begun the proposed modification, that operator would have to request an

alternative method of compliance if the SBCN is not incorporated into

the final rule. The FAA concurs. This SBCN makes certain minor

corrections and clarifications to Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-57-

020, dated April 27, 1992. Therefore, paragraph (a) of the final rule

has been revised to include this SBCN as an additional source of

appropriate service information.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest required the adoption of the rule with the change previously

described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither

increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of

the AD.

The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 27 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately

$2,100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $186,420, or $3,585 per

airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

``ADDRESSES.''

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-04-10 Fokker: Amendment 39-8830. Docket 93-NM-28-AD.

Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes; serial

numbers 11244 through 11390 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent loss of the structural integrity of the main landing

gear (MLG) attachments, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 13,500 total landings, or

within one year after the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs later, replace the bottom joint fittings and modify these new

bottom joint fittings, the MLG rear spar fittings, and the rear spar

webs by cold-expanding the bolt holes in accordance with Fokker

Service Bulletin SBF100-57-020, dated April 27, 1992, as revised by

Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification (SBCN) SBF100-57-020/01,

dated February 4, 1993, and SBCN SBF100-57-020/02, dated April 20,

1993.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the

airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be

accomplished.

(d) The replacement and modification shall be done in accordance

with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-57-020, dated April 27, 1992, as

revised by Fokker Service Bulletin Change Notification SBF100-57-

020/01, dated February 4, 1993, and Fokker Service Bulletin Change

Notification SBF100-57-020/02, dated April 20, 1993. This

incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part

51. Copies may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc. 1199 North

Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Copies may be inspected

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-3753 Filed 3-4-94; 8:45 am]

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