AD 2007-05-07

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic main landing gear (MLG) door to determine whether certain part numbers are installed. For airplanes having certain doors, this AD requires inspecting the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and loose sealant/bolts/nuts, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires, for airplanes having certain doors, modifying the rod bracket attachment of the MLG outboard door. This AD results from a report of a rod bracket of the MLG door detaching during flight. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the rod bracket attachment bolts, which could result in the rod brackets detaching from the MLG door and blocking the proper functioning of the MLG.

Final rule.

2007-05-07 Fokker Services B.V: Amendment 39-14968. Docket No. FAA- 2006-26709; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-202-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective April 10, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of a rod bracket of the main landing gear (MLG) door detaching during flight. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the rod bracket attachment bolts, which could result in the rod brackets detaching from the MLG door and blocking the proper functioning of the MLG.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspections

(f) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) MLG doors to determine if any MLG door having a part number (P/N) D13312-401 through -410 inclusive is installed. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the CFRP MLG doors can be conclusively determined from that review. If the CFRP MLG doors have any part number other than P/N D13312-401 through -410 inclusive installed, no further action is required by this AD.

(g) If any CFRP MLG door having any P/N D13312-401 through -410 inclusive is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and loose sealant/bolts/nuts as specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52- 080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by doing all the applicable actions specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, except as provided by paragraphs (i), (j), and (k) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Modification

(h) If any CFRP MLG door having any P/N D13312-401 through -410 inclusive is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the MLG outboard door operating rod bracket attachment and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions by doing all the applicable actions specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification-- Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.

Exceptions to the Service Bulletin

(i) Where Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005, specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair, before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

(j) Ifany loose sealant or any delamination is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, do the corrective action specified in paragraph C.(3) of Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification--Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005.

(k) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(m) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2006-001, dated January 5, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(n) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-52-080, dated December 12, 2005, including Fokker Manual Change Notification-- Maintenance Documentation MCNM-F100-103, dated November 15, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington; or 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html .

Examining the Docket

You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2006 (71 FR 78099). That NPRM proposed to require inspecting the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic main landing gear (MLG) door to determine whether certain part numbers are installed. For airplanes having certain doors, that NPRM proposed to require inspecting the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and loose sealant/bolts/nuts, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require, for airplanes having certain doors, modifying the rod bracket attachment of the MLG outboard door.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action
Work hours
Average labor rate per hour
Parts
Cost per airplane
Number of U.S.-registered airplanes
Fleet cost
Inspections
2
$80
$0
$160
7
$1,120
Modification
6
$80
$1,066
$1,546
7
$10,822

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 this AD:

(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.

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

Accordingly, under the authority delegatedto me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):