Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53556-53558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21683; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-021-AD; 
Amendment 39-14259; AD 2005-18-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, 
and 600 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 airplanes. This AD 
requires a general visual inspection of the rotary knobs for the fuel 
tank isolation valves to determine if the seal wire has been installed 
correctly, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from 
investigation of a recent accident, which found that the rotary knobs 
controlling the fuel tank isolating valves had been in the shut 
position. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the rotary knobs are 
not inadvertently moved to the shut position, which could result in 
fuel starvation to both engines and

[[Page 53557]]

consequent inability to maintain controlled flight and landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 14, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 14, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 
the Netherlands, for service information identified in this AD.

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:

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 certain Fokker Model 
F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on June 29, 2005 (70 FR 37291). That NPRM proposed 
to require a general visual inspection of the rotary knobs for the fuel 
tank isolation valves to determine if the seal wire has been installed 
correctly, and corrective actions if necessary.

Correction to Final Rule

    We have revised paragraph (h) of this Final Rule to correct an 
incorrect part number. We have determined that the incorrect part 
number does not exist.

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 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.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 1 airplane of U.S. registry. The required 
inspection will take about 2 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 the one U.S. operator is $130.

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

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-18-19 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-14259. Docket No. FAA-
2005-21683; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-021-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 14, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 
600 airplanes, certificated in any category; serial numbers 10505 
through 10591 inclusive; not equipped with inboard wing fuel tanks.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by investigation of a recent accident, 
which found that the rotary knobs controlling the fuel tank 
isolating valves had been in the shut position. We are issuing this 
AD to ensure that the rotary knobs are not inadvertently moved to 
the shut position, which could result in fuel starvation to both 
engines and consequent inability to maintain controlled flight and 
landing.

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 and Corrective Action if Applicable

    (f) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection of the rotary knobs for the fuel tank 
isolation valves to determine if the seal wire is installed 
correctly and do the corrective action(s) as applicable, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F27/28-67, dated February

[[Page 53558]]

23, 2004. Do the applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Credit for Alternative Method of Compliance

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-58, dated May 12, 
1986, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
rotary knob having part number E10632-3, 10632-10003, or P80-004 on 
any airplane, unless the corrective actions specified in paragraph 
(f) of this AD have been accomplished.

No Reporting Requirement

    (i) 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)

    (j) 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.

Related Information

    (k) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2004-037 R1, dated April 
14, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-67, dated 
February 23, 2004, 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., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 31, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17771 Filed 9-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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