[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 18, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20719-20721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-11684; AD 2000-07-28]
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; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Fokker Model F27 series airplanes, that 
currently 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 retains the requirements of the 
existing AD for the Normal and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the AFM, 
and

[[Page 20720]]

requires incorporation of amended Limitations and Emergency Procedures 
Sections into the AFM. This amendment is prompted by a report that 
certain incorrect instructions had been included in the Emergency 
Procedures Section of the AFM revision required by the existing AD. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to ensure that flightcrews 
follow correct procedures that will maintain the HPC levers in a 
permanent lockout position to prevent consequent burnout of the engines 
during flight.

DATES: Effective April 18, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 18, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of October 8, 1999 (64 FR 48280, September 3, 
1999).
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-95-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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: On August 27, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-18-
22, amendment 39-11288 (64 FR 48280, September 3, 1999), applicable to 
certain Fokker Model F27 series airplanes, to require revising the FAA-
approved 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. That action 
was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
required by that AD are intended to prevent burnout of the engines 
during flight by ensuring that the HPC levers are in a permanent 
lockout position.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), 
which is the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, has advised 
the FAA that certain incorrect instructions had been included in the 
AFM revision required by that AD.
    Fokker Manual Change Notice MCNO-F27-001 was cited in the existing 
AD as the appropriate source of service information for placing the HPC 
levers in a permanent lock position (with the cruise lock withdrawal 
system disabled) during operation of the airplane. However, MCNO-F27-
001 contains remove/replace instructions rather than the amended 
procedures. One operator reported that strict adherence to the 
instructions in its flight manual (following incorporation of the MCNO) 
would have resulted in incorrect ``Manual Feathering Procedure'' and 
``Propeller Overspeed Procedure.''
    The emergency manual feathering procedures in the MCNO specify that 
the HPC be placed in lockout position before the feather button is 
pressed; however, this procedure is intended to relight the engine in 
flight. Use of this procedure would result in unfeathering of the 
propeller and loss of control of the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    In light of this information, the FAA finds that certain procedures 
should be amended in the AFM for Model F27 series airplanes to ensure 
that flightcrews follow correct procedures that will maintain the HPC 
levers in a permanent lockout position to prevent consequent burnout of 
the engines during flight. The FAA has determined that such procedures 
currently are not defined adequately in the AFM for these airplanes.

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 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, this AD supersedes AD 99-18-22 to continue to 
require revising the Normal and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the 
AFM. This AD also requires incorporation of amended Limitations and 
Emergency Procedures into the AFM.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an 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

[[Page 20721]]

Docket Number 2000-NM-95-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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 removing amendment 39-11288 (64 FR 
48280, September 3, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11684, to read as follows:

2000-07-28  Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-11684. Docket 2000-
NM-95-AD. Supersedes AD 99-18-22, Amendment 39-11288.

    Applicability: Model F27 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as listed in Fokker F27 Service Bulletin F27/61-40, 
Revision 1, dated August 1, 1997.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that flightcrews follow correct procedures that will 
maintain the high pressure cock (HPC) levers in a permanent lockout 
position to prevent consequent burnout of the engines during flight, 
accomplish the following:

AFM Revision: Normal and Abnormal Procedures Sections

    (a) Within 6 months after October 8, 1999 (the effective date of 
AD 99-18-22, amendment 39-11288): Revise the Normal and Abnormal 
Procedures Sections, as applicable, of the FAA-approved Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating 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 MCNO F27-001 into the applicable 
sections of the AFM.

AFM Revision: Limitations and Emergency Procedures Sections

    (b) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Emergency Procedures Sections of the AFM by 
incorporating Fokker Manual Change Notification MCNO F27-008, dated 
March 1, 2000. This action may be accomplished by inserting a copy 
of MCNO F27-008 into the applicable sections of the AFM.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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

    (d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) 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; and Fokker Manual Change Notification MCNO F27-
008, dated March 1, 2000.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Fokker Manual Change 
Notification MCNO F27-008, dated March 1, 2000, is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference 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, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of October 8, 1999 (64 FR 48280, September 3, 1999).
    (3) 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 18, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 6, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9110 Filed 4-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U