[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77589-77590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22042]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23659; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-236-AD; 
Amendment 39-14863; AD 2006-26-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. 
This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane 
flight manual regarding the use of continuous ignition, fuel filter 
heating, and resetting circuit breakers during flight in certain 
conditions such as icing. This AD results from reports of power loss on 
one or both engines in icing conditions. We are issuing this AD to 
advise the flightcrew that continuous ignition will not reduce the 
probability of power loss, and what action they must take to avoid this 
hazard. Loss of power in one or more engines during flight, if not 
prevented, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 31, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 31, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 
the Netherlands, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Fokker Model F27 
Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2006 (71 FR 3792). 
That NPRM proposed to require revising the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual regarding the use of continuous ignition, fuel 
filter heating, and resetting circuit breakers during flight in certain 
conditions such as icing.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Note 1

    Note 1 of the NPRM stated that the revision to the Limitations 
section of the Fokker F27 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) could be done by 
inserting a copy of Manual Change Notification--Operational 
Documentation (MCNO) MCNO-F27-020, dated June 1, 2004, into the Normal 
Procedures, Abnormal Procedures, and Emergency Procedures sections of 
the Fokker F27 AFM. We have clarified Note 1 of this AD to state that 
the revision can be done by inserting a copy of that MCNO into the 
Limitations section, as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 27 airplanes of U.S. registry. The revision 
takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is $1,755, or $65 per airplane.

[[Page 77590]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-26-05 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-14863. Docket No. FAA-
2006-23659; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-236-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 31, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of power loss on one or both 
engines in icing conditions. We are issuing this AD to advise the 
flightcrew that continuous ignition will not reduce the probability 
of power loss, and what action they must take to avoid this hazard. 
Loss of power in one or more engines during flight, if not 
prevented, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the Fokker F27 AFM by incorporating the 
information specified in Fokker Manual Change Notification--
Operational Documentation (MCNO) MCNO-F27-020, dated June 1, 2004, 
into the Limitations section of the AFM.

    Note 1: The actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD may be 
done by inserting a copy of MCNO MCNO-F27-020 into the Limitations 
section of the Fokker F27 AFM. When this MCNO, MCNO-F27-020, has 
been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the general 
revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the relevant 
information in the general revision is identical to that in MCNO 
MCNO-F27-020.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate 
principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding 
District Office.

Related Information

    (h) Dutch airworthiness directive 2004-122, dated October 28, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Fokker Manual Change Notification--Operational 
Documentation MCNO-F27-020, dated June 1, 2004, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Fokker Services B.V., P.O. 
Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2006.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22042 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
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