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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63439-63440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24221]



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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 2, 2004 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 63439]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18787; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-264-AD; 
Amendment 39-13837; AD 2004-22-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series 
airplanes. This AD requires a one-time high-frequency eddy current 
inspection for cracking of the attachment lugs of the aileron spring 
tab balance unit, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is 
prompted by a report indicating that, during heavy turbulence, a pilot 
needed to apply aileron trim to maintain level flight because cracking 
of the upper inboard attachment lug of the aileron spring tab balance 
unit, probably due to corrosion, had caused permanent deflection of the 
spring tab and consequent aileron damage. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent diminished control of the airplane in turbulence or total loss 
of roll control for the affected wing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
December 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, The 
Netherlands. You can examine this information 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.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

Examining the Docket

    The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final 
disposition. You can examine the 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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal 
Register on August 6, 2004 (69 FR 47806), to require a one-time high-
frequency eddy current inspection for cracking of the attachment lugs 
of the aileron spring tab balance unit, and corrective actions if 
necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD 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

    This AD will affect about 38 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
actions will take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the AD for U.S. operators is $12,350, or $325 per airplane.

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. 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

0
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.

[[Page 63440]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-22-09 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-13837. Docket No. FAA-
2004-18787; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-264-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
7, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes; certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, during 
heavy turbulence, a pilot needed to apply aileron trim to maintain 
level flight because cracking of the upper inboard attachment lug of 
the aileron spring tab balance unit, probably due to corrosion, had 
caused permanent deflection of the spring tab and consequent aileron 
damage. We are issuing this AD to prevent diminished control of the 
airplane in turbulence or total loss of roll control for the 
affected wing.

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.

Inspection

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time high-frequency eddy current inspection for 
cracking of the attachment lugs of the aileron spring tab balance 
units by doing all the actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 19, 2003. If no 
loose paint, corrosion damage, or crack is found during this 
inspection, no further action is required by this AD.

Repair and Rework of Attachment Lugs

    (g) If no crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD, but it was necessary to remove loose paint 
or corrosion to perform the inspection: Prior to further flight, 
rework the attachment lugs in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 19, 
2003. If corrosion damage has caused any attachment lug to exceed 
the dimensional limits specified in the service bulletin: Prior to 
further flight, replace the aileron spring tab balance unit with a 
serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 19, 2003, or 
repair the lug in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL) (or its 
delegated agent).

Replacement

    (h) If any crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD: Prior to further flight, replace the 
aileron spring tab balance unit with a serviceable unit, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 19, 2003.

No Reporting Requirement

    (i) Although Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 19, 
2003, specifies to submit certain information to Fokker Services 
B.V., this AD does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

Related Information

    (k) Dutch airworthiness directive 2003-037, dated March 31, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated March 
19, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the 
service information, contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 
2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands. For information on the 
availability of this material at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24221 Filed 11-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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