[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44746-44748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15417]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28911; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-15150; AD 2007-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 Airplanes 
Equipped With Dowty Type R.352 or R.410 Series Propellers

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes equipped with Dowty Type 
R.352 or R.410 series propellers. This AD requires checking the 
maintenance records to determine whether Minnesota Mining and 
Manufacture Co. (3M) 1300L adhesive was used to attach the de-icer 
assembly overshoes (boots) to the propeller blades, repetitive 
inspections of affected boots, and replacing boots attached with 
defective adhesive. This AD results from three events of propeller 
blade de-icer assembly boots debonding and detaching during flight. 
This condition was caused by using 3M 1300L adhesive to attach the boot 
to the propeller blade. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
boots attached with defective adhesive, which could result in debonding 
and separation of a boot from the airplane, consequent reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane, and possible injury to passengers 
and crew.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 24, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 24, 
2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 10, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services Dept., 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 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority-The Netherlands (CAA-NL), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes 
equipped with Dowty Type R.352 or R.410 series propellers. The CAA-NL 
advises that there have been three events of propeller blade de-icer 
assembly boots debonding and detaching during flight. In two of the 
incidents, the boot impacted the fuselage causing considerable damage, 
but did not penetrate into the fuselage. In the third incident the boot 
hit a passenger cabin

[[Page 44747]]

window shattering the pane and penetrating into the fuselage, and 
subsequently injuring two passengers. Investigation revealed that all 
of the affected boots had been attached using Minnesota Mining and 
Manufacture Co. (3M) 1300L adhesive. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in debonding and separation of a boot from the airplane, 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and possible 
injury to passengers and crew.

Relevant Service Information

    Dowty has issued Service Bulletin F50-61-158, including Appendix 1, 
dated September 30, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
checking the maintenance records to determine whether 3M 1300L adhesive 
has been applied to attach the de-icer assembly overshoes (boots) to 
the propeller blades, repetitive inspections of affected boots, and 
replacing boots attached with defective adhesive. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The CAA-NL reviewed the service 
information and issued Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2005-016, dated 
December 16, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in the Netherlands.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    These airplanes are manufactured in the Netherlands and are 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. We have examined the CAA-NL's 
findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we 
need to issue an AD for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to detect and correct boots with 
defective adhesive, which could result in separation of a boot from the 
airplane, possible injury to passengers and crew, and consequent 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This AD requires 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by 
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not 
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD 
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future, the required inspections would take about 1 work hour 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the AD would be $80 per airplane, 
per inspection cycle.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register. 
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective 
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28911; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-002-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the 
ground floor of the West Building at the street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after the Docket Management System receives them.

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 the 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. 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.

[[Page 44748]]

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):

2007-16-11 Fokker Services B.V.: Amendment 39-15150. Docket No. FAA-
2007-28911; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-002-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 24, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; equipped with Dowty Type R.352 or 
R.410 series propellers.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from three events of propeller blade de-icer 
assembly overshoes (boots) debonding and detaching during flight. 
This condition was caused by using Minnesota Mining and Manufacture 
Co. (3M) 1300L adhesive to attach the boots to the propeller blade. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct boots attached with 
defective adhesive, which could result in debonding and separation 
of a boot from the airplane, consequent reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane, and possible injury to passengers and crew.

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.

Identification of Affected Boots/Repetitive Inspections/Replacement

    (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Check 
the maintenance records to determine whether 3M 1300L adhesive was 
used to attach the de-icer assembly boots to the propeller blades.
    (1) If 3M 1300L adhesive was not used: No further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) If 3M 1300L adhesive was used, or the type of adhesive 
cannot be determined: Within 650 flight hours, do a general visual 
inspection for signs of lifting or bubbling of the adhesive in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Service 
Bulletin F50-61-158, including Appendix 1, dated September 30, 2005.
    (i) If no signs of lifting or bubbling are found: Repeat the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 650 flight hours.
    (ii) If any signs of lifting or bubbling are found: Before 
further flight, replace the affected de-icer assembly boot in 
accordance with Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight 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.''

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may use 3M 
1300L adhesive to attach a boot to the propeller blade, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, 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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Related Information

    (i) Dutch airworthiness directive NL-2005-016, dated December 
16, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Dowty Service Bulletin F50-61-158, including 
Appendix 1, dated September 30, 2005, 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., Technical Services Dept., 
P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands, for a copy of 
this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service. 10
 [FR Doc. E7-15417 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
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