AD 97-23-14

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AD Number:
97-23-14
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
97-NM-34-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Model FH-227 Series Airplanes
Subject:
AFM - Limitations - Power Levers
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
12/18/1997
Make:
Maryland Air Industries, Inc.
Model:
FH-227 | FH-227B | FH-227C | FH-227D | FH-227E
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39 [62 FR 60777 NO. 219 11/13/97]
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 97-23-14
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   97-NM-34-AD

AMENDMENT:   39-10203

AD NUMBER:   97-23-14

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Fairchild Model FH-227 Series Airplanes

ACTION:   Final rule

SUMMARY:   This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Fairchild Model FH-227 series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight, and to add a statement of the consequences of such positioning of the power levers. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the propeller ground beta range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop when the airplane is in flight.

DATES:   EFFECTIVE DATE: December 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES:   Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Peter LeVoci, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7514; fax (516) 568-2716.

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 Fairchild Model FH-227 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 1997 (62 FR 19951). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to add a statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.

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.

Conditional Support for the Proposal
The commenter supports the intent of the proposed rule, but remarks that, if an inherent design problem exists on the affected airplanes to allow flightcrews to select the power levers below the flight idle stop while in flight, the FAA should consider the addition of a mechanical means to preclude such selection. The FAA acknowledges the commenter’s concern, and may consider additional rulemaking to address that concern in the future on certain airplanes. However, until such final action is identified, the FAA considers it appropriate to proceed with issuance of this AD. No change to the AD is required.

Clarification of the Rule
Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has noted that operations manuals for certain airplanes equipped with Dart turboprop engines may contain reference to "ground fine pitch" rather than "operations below the flight idle stop," as specified in the proposed rule. Although the operations manuals refer to both of those phrases, the FAA finds that some clarification is necessary. Therefore, the FAA has added the phrase "(i.e., including ground fine pitch)" in paragraph (a) of the final rule as a parenthetical definition of "operations below the flight idle stop" in the final rule.

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 previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Interim Action
This is considered interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that there are approximately 45 Fairchild Model FH-227 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on the single U.S. operator is estimated to be $60.

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.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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, 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.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

REGULATORY TEXT:  
97-23-14 MARYLAND AIR INDUSTRIES: Amendment 39-10203. Docket 97-NM-34-AD.

Applicability: All Fairchild Model FH-227 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 prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

"Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop (i.e., including ground fine pitch) while the airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead to loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and consequent loss of engine power."

(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, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.

(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.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on December 18, 1997.

FOOTER: