[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36551-36553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-139-AD; Amendment 39-10648; AD 98-14-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes, and Model F27 Mark 050 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 36552]]

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, and Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes, that 
requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to modify the limitation 
that prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop 
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of 
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight. 
This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving 
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller 
beta range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability caused 
by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while 
the airplane is in flight.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective August 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2145; 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, and Model F27 Mark 
050 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on March 
20, 1998 (63 FR 13569). That action proposed to require revising the 
FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to modify the limitation that 
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop 
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of 
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request to Install Automatic Flight Idle Stop Mechanical System

    The commenter supports the proposed rule, but remarks that, as an 
added measure of safety, the FAA should consider the addition of a 
mechanical means to preclude such selection. The mechanical means 
referenced by the commenter would be in the form of an automatic flight 
idle stop. The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern, and may 
consider additional rulemaking to address that concern in the future on 
certain airplanes. However, until such final action is identified, the 
FAA considers it appropriate to proceed with issuance of this final 
rule. No change to the final rule is required.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Interim Action

    This is considered interim action until final action is identified, 
at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 49 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,940, or $60 per 
airplane.
    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.

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 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, 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:

    98-14-15 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-10648. Docket 97-NM-
139-AD.
    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes, and Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes; 
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 loss of airplane controllability caused by the power 
levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the 
airplane is in flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statements as specified in paragraph 
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. This action may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    (1) For Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 
series airplanes, insert the following:
    ``Warning: Ground fine pitch must not be selected in flight. 
This may lead to loss of

[[Page 36553]]

control from which recovery may not be possible.''
    (2) For Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes, insert the 
following:
    ``Warning: Do not attempt to select ground idle in flight. In 
case of failure of the flight idle stop, this would lead to loss of 
control from which recovery may not be possible.''
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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) This amendment becomes effective on August 11, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17948 Filed 7-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P