Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 7663 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2007–17, dated September 4, 

2007; and Bombardier Service Bulletins 

601R–28–051 and 601R–28–060, both 

Revision A, both dated March 30, 2005; for 

related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(i) You must use Bombardier Service 

Bulletin 601R–28–051, Revision A, dated 

March 30, 2005; and Bombardier Service 

Bulletin 601R–28–060, Revision A, dated 

March 30, 2005; as applicable; to do the 

actions required by this AD, unless the AD 

specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, 

Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station 

Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 

Canada. 

(3) 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

31, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–2343 Filed 2–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2008–0153; Directorate 

Identifier 2007–NM–243–AD; Amendment 

39–15372; AD 2008–03–21] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker 

Model F.27 Mark 050 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

* * * * * 

Recently, it was discovered that the 

inspection procedure as described by Fokker 

50 Non-Destructive Testing Manual (NDTM), 

Part 6, Chapter 53–30–02, which is 

referenced by Fokker 50 Maintenance Review 

Board (MRB) Tasks Number 530000–00–04 

and 530000–00–08 [currently required per 

AD (BLA) 2002–061], did not show the 

correct inspection areas. In addition to the 

existing procedure, the area at the kink in the 

bottom fuselage skin, the actual chine line, 

must be inspected. Investigation revealed 

that a number of aircraft have already passed 

the relevant inspection thresholds of 20,000 

and 45,000 flight cycles by a considerable 

margin. As a result, it may be possible that 

cracks have developed and remained 

undetected. * * * 

* * * * * 

The unsafe condition is cracking and 

subsequent failure of the fuselage 

bottom skin, which could result in 

reduced structural integrity of the 

fuselage. This AD requires actions that 

are intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 26, 2008. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of February 26, 2008. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by March 12, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• 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. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M–

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

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: 

Discussion 

The Civil Aviation Authority—The 

Netherlands (CAA–NL), which is the 

aviation authority for the Netherlands, 

has issued Dutch Airworthiness 

Directive NL–2006–009 R1 dated 

September 28, 2006 (referred to after 

this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the specified products. 

The MCAI states: 

* * * * * 

Recently, it was discovered that the 

inspection procedure as described by Fokker 

50 Non-Destructive Testing Manual (NDTM), 

Part 6, Chapter 53–30–02, which is 

referenced by Fokker 50 Maintenance Review 

Board (MRB) Tasks Number 530000–00–04 

and 530000–00–08 [currently required per 

AD (BLA) 2002–061], did not show the 

correct inspection areas. In addition to the 

existing procedure, the area at the kink in the 

bottom fuselage skin, the actual chine line, 

must be inspected. Investigation revealed 

that a number of aircraft have already passed 

the relevant inspection thresholds of 20,000 

and 45,000 flight cycles by a considerable 

margin. As a result, it may be possible that 

cracks have developed and remained 

undetected. To prevent future use of the 

incorrect procedure in NDTM, Part 6, chapter 

53–30–02, Fokker Services has removed this 

procedure from the NDTM and replaced by 

chapter 53–30–03 (refer to NDTM Temporary 

Revisions No. 53–004 and 53–005 dated 

September 15, 2006). Furthermore the Fokker 

50/60 Maintenance Planning Document (refer 

to MPD Temporary Revision No. 53–009 

dated August 15, 2006) has been revised to 

delete references to the incorrect procedure 

and to include references to the correct 

procedure of NDTM, Part 6, chapter 53–30–

03. This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in failure of the fuselage bottom skin. 

Since an unsafe condition has been identified 

that is likely to exist or develop on aircraft 

of this type design, CAA–NL has originally 

published AD NL–2006–009, which is now 

replaced by NL–2006–009 R1. 

This directive requires a one-time 

inspection of the fuselage bottom skin at the 

chine line, of the area not covered by the 

procedure of NDTM, Part 6, chapter 53–30–

02. This one-time inspection consists of two 

parts: 

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7664 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

—A detailed visual inspection. The visual 

inspection is described in Fokker Services 

Service Bulletin SBF50–53–058 (dated 

June 30, 2006). 

—An eddy-current inspection. The eddycurrent inspection is described in Fokker 

Services Service Bulletin SBF50–53–059 

(dated August 24, 2006). 

The unsafe condition is cracking and 

subsequent failure of the fuselage 

bottom skin, which could result in 

reduced structural integrity of the 

fuselage. Corrective actions include 

repairing any cracking. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Fokker Services B.V. has issued 

Service Bulletins SBF50–53–058, dated 

June 30, 2006, and SBF50–53–059, 

dated August 24, 2006. The actions 

described in this service information are 

intended to correct the unsafe condition 

identified in the MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are issuing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

There are no products of this type 

currently registered in the United States. 

However, this rule is necessary to 

ensure that the described unsafe 

condition is addressed if any of these 

products are placed on the U.S. Register 

in the future. 

Differences Between the AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. 

Any such differences are highlighted in 

a Note within the AD. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

Since there are currently no domestic 

operators of this product, notice and 

opportunity for public comment before 

issuing this AD are unnecessary. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not precede it by notice and 

opportunity for public comment. We 

invite you to send any written relevant 

data, views, or arguments about this AD. 

Send your comments to an address 

listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2008–0153; 

Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–243–

AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. 

We specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this AD. 

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 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 this AD: 

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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

2008–03–21 Fokker Services B.V: 

Amendment 39–15372. Docket No. 

FAA–2008–0153; Directorate Identifier 

2007–NM–243–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective February 26, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Fokker Model F.27 

Mark 050 airplanes, certificated in any 

category; serial numbers 20103 through 

20172 inclusive. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 53: Fuselage. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness 

information (MCAI) states: 

* * * * * 

Recently, it was discovered that the 

inspection procedure as described by Fokker 

50 Non-Destructive Testing Manual (NDTM), 

Part 6, Chapter 53–30–02, which is 

referenced by Fokker 50 Maintenance Review 

Board (MRB) Tasks Number 530000–00–04 

and 530000–00–08 [currently required per 

AD (BLA) 2002–061], did not show the 

correct inspection areas. In addition to the 

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 7665 

existing procedure, the area at the kink in the 

bottom fuselage skin, the actual chine line, 

must be inspected. Investigation revealed 

that a number of aircraft have already passed 

the relevant inspection thresholds of 20,000 

and 45,000 flight cycles by a considerable 

margin. As a result, it may be possible that 

cracks have developed and remained 

undetected. To prevent future use of the 

incorrect procedure in NDTM, Part 6, chapter 

53–30–02, Fokker Services has removed this 

procedure from the NDTM and replaced by 

chapter 53–30–03 (refer to NDTM Temporary 

Revisions No. 53–004 and 53–005 dated 

September 15, 2006). Furthermore the Fokker 

50/60 Maintenance Planning Document (refer 

to MPD Temporary Revision No. 53–009 

dated August 15, 2006) has been revised to 

delete references to the incorrect procedure 

and to include references to the correct 

procedure of NDTM, Part 6, chapter 53–30–

03. This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in failure of the fuselage bottom skin. 

Since an unsafe condition has been identified 

that is likely to exist or develop on aircraft 

of this type design, CAA–NL has originally 

published AD NL–2006–009, which is now 

replaced by NL–2006–009 R1. 

This directive requires a one-time 

inspection of the fuselage bottom skin at the 

chine line, of the area not covered by the 

procedure of NDTM, Part 6, chapter 53–30–

02. This one-time inspection consists of two 

parts: 

—A detailed visual inspection. The visual 

inspection is described in Fokker Services 

Service Bulletin SBF50–53–058 (dated 

June 30, 2006). 

—An eddy-current inspection. The eddycurrent inspection is described in Fokker 

Services Service Bulletin SBF50–53–059 

(dated August 24, 2006). 

The unsafe condition is cracking and 

subsequent failure of the fuselage bottom 

skin, which could result in reduced 

structural integrity of the fuselage. Corrective 

actions include repairing any cracking. 

Actions and Compliance 

(f) Unless already done, do the following 

actions. 

(1) Before the accumulation of 20,000 total 

flight cycles, or within 3 weeks after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later, perform a detailed visual inspection for 

cracks of the fuselage bottom skin chine line 

between fuselage station (STA) 6675 and 

STA 15375 in accordance with Part 3, Steps 

A. and B., of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin 

SBF50–53–058, dated June 30, 2006. If any 

crack is found appearing through the paint 

layer, before further flight, remove the paint 

to determine the extent of the cracking and 

repair in accordance with the instructions in 

the service bulletin. 

(2) Before the accumulation of 45,000 total 

flight cycles, or within 3 weeks after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later, perform a detailed visual inspection for 

cracks of the fuselage bottom skin chine line 

between STA 1320 and STA 3100 in 

accordance with Part 3, Steps C. and D., of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 

Service Bulletin SBF50–53–058, dated June 

30, 2006. If any crack is found appearing 

through the paint layer, before further flight 

remove the paint to determine the extent of 

the cracking and repair in accordance with 

the instructions in the service bulletin. 

(3) In all cases, whether or not cracks were 

found and repaired in accordance with the 

requirements in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of 

this AD: Within 1,000 flight cycles after the 

visual inspections required by paragraphs 

(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD or within 1,000 

flight cycles after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs later, do an eddy 

current inspection of the fuselage bottom 

skin chine line (between the same fuselage 

stations as covered by the visual inspection) 

in accordance with Part 3 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker 

Service Bulletin SBF50–53–059, dated 

August 24, 2006. If any crack is found during 

any eddy-current inspection, repair before 

further flight in accordance with the 

instructions in the service bulletin. 

(4) If any crack is found as a result of any 

inspection requirement of this directive, 

within 30 days after the inspection or 30 days 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later, report all findings to the Type 

Certificate holder at the following address: 

Fokker Services B.V., Technical Services 

Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 AE Nieuw-Vennep, 

the Netherlands. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ 

or service information as follows: Although 

the MCAI or service information allows flight 

with cracks of different lengths on the 

fuselage bottom skin chine line between 

certain fuselage stations, this AD requires 

accomplishing the applicable repair before 

further flight if any crack is found. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(g) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Send information to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, 

Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, 

ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 

227–1137; fax (425) 227–1149. 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. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) CAA–NL 

Dutch Airworthiness Directive NL–2006–009 

R1 dated September 28, 2006; and Fokker 

Service Bulletins SBF50–53–058, dated June 

30, 2006, and SBF50–53–059, dated August 

24, 2006; for related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(i) You must use Fokker Service Bulletin 

SBF50–53–058, dated June 30, 2006; and 

Fokker Service Bulletin SBF50–53–059, 

dated August 24, 2006; as applicable, to do 

the actions required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. Fokker Service 

Bulletin SBF50–53–059 contains the 

following effective pages: 

Page Nos. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page 

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 ........................................................................................ Original .................................................. August 24, 2006. 

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 ...................................................................................... Original .................................................. August 21, 2006. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Fokker Services B.V., 

Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 231, 2150 

AE Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands. 

(3) 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

31, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–2362 Filed 2–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES