[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48280-48282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22920]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-364-AD; Amendment 39-11288; AD 99-18-22]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 series airplanes, that requires 
revising 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 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent burnout of the engines 
during flight by ensuring that the HPC levers are in a permanent 
lockout position.

DATES: Effective October 8, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 
The Netherlands. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: 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 certain Fokker Model F27 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 23, 1999 (64 
FR 19940). That action proposed to 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.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the

[[Page 48281]]

making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the 
comments received.

Request To Mandate Rolls-Royce Modifications

    Two commenters request that the FAA reconsider its position not to 
require accomplishment of the engine modifications described in two 
Rolls-Royce Service Bulletins DA72-198 (Modification 1232) and DA72-348 
(Modification 1550) in this proposed AD. The commenters state that 
these modifications are necessary for engines installed on the affected 
airplanes, and should be required prior to inflight operation with the 
HPC levers in the lockout position (i.e., with permanent cruise pitch 
lock-out).
    Modification 1550 enables the propeller to be feathered 
automatically in the event of a gearbox disconnect. One commenter 
states that, with the advent of Fokker Service Bulletin
F27/61-40 and the related Dutch airworthiness directive, the safety 
feature incurred by the cruise pitch lock (in relation to potential 
gearbox disconnect) is now proposed to be inhibited in order to prevent 
cruise pitch lock ``hang-ups''. The commenter considers that, under 
these circumstances, Modification 1550 in particular is now an 
extremely important safety feature for engine and propeller integrity. 
The commenter notes that this view was accepted by the Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom (with Modification 1550 now 
mandatory for all Dart installations), and by the Rijksluchtvaartdienst 
(RLD), which is the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands.
    The FAA infers that the commenters are requesting that the 
referenced Rolls-Royce modifications be mandated and be included in 
this AD; the FAA partially concurs. Although the original intent of the 
modifications was to auto-feather the propeller in the event of an 
annulus gear failure and thereby limit secondary damage to the engine, 
the FAA acknowledges that the Rolls-Royce engine modifications are 
considered to be an additional safety feature relative to the actions 
required by this AD.
    After further discussions with the RLD, the manufacturer, and the 
FAA Engine and Propeller Directorate, the FAA will consider rulemaking 
to require these modifications. However, since these engine 
modifications are not intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition of this AD, and to prevent further delay in the issuance of 
this final rule, any such requirement will be addressed in separate 
rulemaking action, rather than under the auspices of this AD. No change 
to the final rule is made in this regard.

Statement of Unsafe Condition

    One commenter, the manufacturer, notes that the proposed AD 
incorrectly states that malfunctions of the automatic and manual cruise 
lock withdrawal system can cause engine ``overspeed and burnout''; the 
commenter requests that this statement be corrected. The commenter 
states that such a malfunction will not cause an engine overspeed 
condition, but will only cause an engine turbine burnout. Additionally, 
the actions required by the proposed AD (operation with the HPC levers 
in the lockout position) will only prevent an engine turbine burnout. 
The FAA acknowledges that the information provided by the commenter is 
correct and has revised the final rule accordingly.

Correction of Manufacturer's Address

    One commenter, the manufacturer, informs the FAA that its address 
has been changed and requests that the proposed AD be revised to 
provide the correct address for obtaining service information. The FAA 
has made this change in the final rule.

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 with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 34 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 AFM revision, 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 $2,040, 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, 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:

99-18-22  Fokker: Amendment 39-11288. 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 turbine 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,

[[Page 48282]]

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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with 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. 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., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1996-130 (A), dated October 31, 1996.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 8, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 27, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22920 Filed 9-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P