Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections of the control panel of the direct current (DC) generator for discrepancies, and replacement of any discrepant part. This action is necessary to prevent loss of both DC generator systems and loss of several other airplane systems, which could lead to the pilot's inability to maintain controlled flight. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective June 9, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. 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 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2003 (68 FR 44493). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections of the control panel of the direct current (DC) generator for discrepancies, and replacement of any discrepant part.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comment received.

The commenter asks that the wording specified in paragraph (b) of the proposed AD that states, “* * * prior to further flight, replace any discrepant part with a new part having the same part number * * *” be changed due to limited availability of new parts. The commenter suggests the following wording: “* * * prior to further flight, replace any discrepant part with a serviceable part having the same part number. * * *” The commenter states that finding new internal parts for this unit may cause unnecessary delays in returning the airplane to service, when a serviceable part is acceptable for the replacement.

The FAA agrees with the intent of the commenter's request. We have changed paragraph (b) of this final rule to allow for installation of either new or serviceable parts.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take about 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,140, or $260 per inspection cycle.

The 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 cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2004-09-23 Fokker Services B.V: Amendment 39-13613. Docket 2002-NM-253-AD.

Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the loss of both direct current (DC) generator systems and loss of several other airplane systems, which could lead to the pilot's inability to maintain controlled flight, accomplish the following:

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the control panel of the DC generator for discrepancies, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/24-79, dated April 28, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”

(b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace any discrepant part with a new or serviceable part having the same part number, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/24-79, dated April 28, 1999.

Note 2:

The service bulletin references Bendix (Allied Signal) publication R766-28, Technical Manual, Maintenance Instructions with Illustrated Parts Catalog for Generator Control Panel type no. 1539-11-B and 1539-12-B, paragraphs 2-12 through 2-15, as an additional source of service information for accomplishing the inspections and any parts replacement required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/24-79, dated April 28, 1999. 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 Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Note 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch airworthiness directive 1999-093, dated June 30, 1999.

Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 2004.