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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24954-24956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10138]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-253-AD; Amendment 39-13613; AD 2004-09-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

[[Page 24955]]

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

0
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

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. 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

[[Page 24956]]

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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 22, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10138 Filed 5-4-04; 8:45 am]
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