[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44493-44494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-253-AD]
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: 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 all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require repetitive inspections of the control panel of the direct 
current (DC) generator for discrepancies, and replacement of any 
discrepant part. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of both 
DC generator systems and loss of several other airplane systems, which 
could lead to the pilot's inability to maintain controlled flight. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-253-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-253-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-253-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. 2002-NM-253-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority--The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 
300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes. The CAA-NL advises that 
it has received a number of reports of direct current (DC) generator 
overvoltages, which resulted in loss of both DC generator systems and 
loss of several other airplane systems. The overvoltages were caused by 
the incorrect installation of DC generator system parts, including bad 
solder joints, bad wire insulation, and incorrect functioning of relays 
and resistors. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in the 
loss of both DC generator systems and loss of several other airplane 
systems, which could lead to the pilot's inability to maintain 
controlled flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Fokker Services B.V. has issued Fokker Service Bulletin F27/24-79, 
dated April 28, 1999, which describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections of the control panel of the DC generator for discrepancies 
(e.g., incorrect installation of DC generator system parts, including 
discrepant solder joints, discrepant wire insulation, and incorrect 
functioning relays and resistors). The service bulletin references 
Bendix (Allied Signal) publication R766-28, Technical Manual, 
Maintenance Instructions with Illustrated Parts Catalog for Generator 
Control Panel type no. 1539-11-B and 1539-12-B, paragraphs 2-12 through 
2-15, as an additional source of service information for accomplishing 
the inspections and replacement of any discrepant part with a new part. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
CAA-NL classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1999-093, dated June 30, 1999, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the Netherlands.

[[Page 44494]]

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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA-NL has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the CAA-NL, 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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$9,360, or $240 per inspection cycle.
    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. 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. Because we have now included this material in part 39, only 
the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each individual 
AD.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) 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 Services B.V.: Docket 2002-NM-253-AD.

    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of both direct current (DC) generator 
systems and loss of several other airplane systems, which could lead 
to the pilot's inability to maintain controlled flight, accomplish 
the following:

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection of the control panel of the DC generator for 
discrepancies, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service 
Bulletin F27/24-79, dated April 28, 1999. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace any 
discrepant part with a new part having the same part number, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/24-79, 
dated April 28, 1999.

    Note 2: The service bulletin references Bendix (Allied Signal) 
publication R766-28, Technical Manual, Maintenance Instructions with 
Illustrated Parts Catalog for Generator Control Panel type no. 1539-
11-B and 1539-12-B, paragraphs 2-12 through 2-15, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishing the inspections and 
any parts replacement required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Dutch 
airworthiness directive 1999-093, dated June 30, 1999.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 22, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19195 Filed 7-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P