[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1907-1909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-311]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-247-AD; Amendment 39-10278; AD 98-01-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes. This 
action requires replacement of the spring tab balance units in the 
ailerons and the inboard aileron hinge bolts and bearings with improved 
parts. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
aileron gustlock mechanism and the inboard aileron hinge bolt, which 
could result in inability to operate the ailerons, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 28, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the

[[Page 1908]]

regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 28, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-247-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Fokker Services B.V., Technical Support Department, P.O. Box 75047, 
1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 
series airplanes. The RLD advises that, on separate occasions, two 
parked airplanes sustained damage to the ailerons in heavy and gusty 
tail wind conditions. The wind force on the ailerons was sufficient to 
cause the failure of the gustlock mechanism of the spring tab balance 
unit in both ailerons, and in one case, failure of the inboard aileron 
hinge bolt. This condition, if not corrected, could result in inability 
to operate the ailerons, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker has issued Service Bulletin SBF50-27-036, dated December 28, 
1993, which describes procedures for replacement of the spring tab 
balance units in the ailerons and the inboard aileron hinge bolts and 
bearings with improved parts. The RLD classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness directive 94-025 (A), dated 
February 21, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the Netherlands and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RLD has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
RLD, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 36 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $15,000 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$17,160 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-247-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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

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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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-01-16  Fokker: Amendment 39-10278. Docket 97-NM-247-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes; serial numbers 
20103 through 20266 inclusive, 20270 through 20292 inclusive, and 
20294 through 20304 inclusive; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the aileron gustlock mechanism and the 
inboard aileron hinge bolt, which could result in inability to 
operate the ailerons, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the spring tab balance units in the ailerons and the inboard 
aileron hinge bolts and bearings with improved parts in accordance 
with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50-27-036, dated December 28, 1993.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Fokker Service 
Bulletin SBF50-27-036, dated December 28, 1993. 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., Technical Support Department, 
P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 94-025 (A), dated February 21, 1994.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 28, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-311 Filed 1-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U