[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46510-46512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22086]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-24-AD; Amendment 39-12429; AD 2001-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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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, that requires a one-time inspection for 
correct installation of the left- and right-hand fuel differential 
pressure (FDP) switches and for correct connection of the pressure 
sensing lines to the switches, and corrective action, if necessary. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that a warning 
light goes on when the fuel filter is partially blocked by ice, so that 
the blockage of the fuel filter does not increase, leading to reduced 
fuel flow to the engine and possibly to an engine flame-out. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 11, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 11, 2001.

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

[[Page 46511]]

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; 
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 was published in the 
Federal Register on June 27, 2001 (66 FR 34134). That action proposed 
to require a one-time inspection for correct installation of the left- 
and right-hand fuel differential pressure (FDP) switches and for 
correct connection of the pressure sensing lines to the switches, and 
corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

    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.

Cite Foreign Airworthiness Directive

    The commenter states that the Dutch airworthiness directive is not 
cited in the proposed rule, and asks that it be included in the final 
rule. The FAA agrees with the commenter in that the note citing the 
Dutch airworthiness directive was inadvertently omitted from the 
proposed rule. We have added the note to this final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 44 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 one-time inspection, 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 $2,640, 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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.
    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:

2001-18-03  Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-12429. Docket 2001-
NM-24-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 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 ensure that a warning light goes on when the fuel filter is 
partially blocked by ice, so that the blockage of the fuel filter 
does not increase, leading to reduced fuel flow to the engine and 
possibly to an engine flame-out, accomplish the following:

Inspection/Corrective Action

    (a) Within 60 days from the effective date of this AD: Perform a 
one-time general visual inspection for correct installation of the 
left- and right-hand fuel differential pressure (FDP) switches and 
for correct connection of the pressure sensing lines to the FDP 
switches, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-63, dated November 21, 1999. If the 
switches are found to be installed incorrectly, as specified in the 
service bulletin, prior to further flight, re-install the switches 
and re-connect the pressure sensing lines to the switches, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who

[[Page 46512]]

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

    Note 3: 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 Service 
Bulletin F27/28-63, dated November 21, 1999. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1999-154, dated November 30, 1999.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 11, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 27, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-22086 Filed 9-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U