[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 78 (Friday, April 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19940-19942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10184]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-364-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Series Airplanes 
Equipped with Rolls-Royce 532-7 ``Dart 7'' (RDa-7) Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require a revision to the Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with modified operational 
procedures to ensure continuous operation with the high pressure cock 
(HPC) levers in the lockout position. This proposal is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent overspeed and burnout of the engines during 
flight by ensuring that the HPC levers are in a permanent lockout 
position.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-364-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.


[[Page 19941]]


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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-364-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-364-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Fokker Model F27 series airplanes equipped with 
Rolls-Royce 532-7 ``Dart 7'' (RDa-7) series engines. The RLD advises 
that there have been numerous incidents of cruise lock hang-up on 
Fokker Model F27 series airplanes. This malfunction of the cruise lock 
withdrawal system, combined with failure of the flightcrew to select 
the high pressure cock (HPC) levers to the lockout position, has 
resulted in incidents of engine overspeed and burnout. Additionally, 
there have been reports of erroneous selection of the HPC levers to the 
closed position, resulting in unnecessary engine shutdown. These 
conditions, if not corrected, could result in overspeed and burnout of 
the engines during flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Fokker F27 Service Bulletin F27/61-40, 
Revision 1, dated August 1, 1997; including Fokker F27 Manual Change 
Notification (MCNO) F27-001, dated June 30, 1997; which describes 
procedures for revision of the Emergency, Normal, and Abnormal 
Procedures Sections of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The MCNO 
introduces a change that specifies placing the HPC levers in a 
permanent lockout position (with the cruise lock withdrawal system 
disabled) during operation of the airplane. The RLD classified this 
service information as mandatory and issued Dutch airworthiness 
directive 1996-130(A), dated October 31, 1996, 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 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) 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 Proposed 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 a revision of the 
Emergency, Normal, and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with modified 
operational procedures to ensure continuous operation with the HPC 
levers in the lockout position (with the cruise lock withdrawal system 
disabled). The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service information described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Dutch Airworthiness Directive

    Operators should note that the related Dutch airworthiness 
directive recommends verification that the modifications described in 
two Rolls-Royce Service Bulletins (DA72-198 and DA72-348) have been 
accomplished on Rolls-Royce 532-7 ``Dart 7'' (RDa-7) series engines 
installed on Fokker F27 airplanes. However, this proposed AD would not 
require such verification. The FAA has been advised that accomplishment 
of the two modifications of the Rolls-Royce engines is recommended to 
prevent the loss of propeller control in the event of an annulus gear 
failure. Such engine gearbox failures are not related to malfunction of 
the cruise lock withdrawal system, and accomplishment of these engine 
modifications is not intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition of this proposed AD. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
verification of accomplishment of these engine modifications, if 
necessary, will be addressed by separate rulemaking action.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 34 Model F27 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed AFM 
revision, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AFM revision proposed by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,040, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation: (1)

[[Page 19942]]

Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 
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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Fokker: Docket 98-NM-364-AD.

    Applicability: Model F27 series airplanes, as listed in Fokker 
F27 Service Bulletin F27/61-40, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1997; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overspeed and burnout of the engines during flight by 
ensuring that the high pressure cock (HPC) levers are in a permanent 
lockout position, accomplish the following:

AFM Revision

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the Emergency, Normal, and Abnormal Procedures Sections, as 
applicable, of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by 
incorporation of Fokker F27 Service Bulletin F27/61-40, Revision 1, 
dated August 1, 1997; including Fokker F27 Manual Change 
Notification (MCNO) F27-001, dated June 30, 1997. [MCNO F27-001 
specifies procedures for placing the HPC levers in a permanent 
lockout position (with the cruise lock withdrawal system disabled) 
during operation of the airplane.] This action may be accomplished 
by inserting a copy of the MCNO into the AFM.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 1: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1996-130 (A), dated October 31, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 19, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10184 Filed 4-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U