AD 2008-08-05

This AD becomes effective May 19, 2008.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 19, 2008.

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

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.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2008 (73 FR 1848). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Recently, a Fokker 100 (F28 Mark 0100) operator noted that the electrical connectors of the PSUs (Passenger Service Units) did not lock properly during installation in the aircraft. The PSU panels installed in Fokker 50 (F27 Mark 050 and Mark 0502) aircraft are similar to those installed in the Fokker 100. Investigation revealed that the lack of locking is caused by the tolerance in thickness of the gaskets (seals) inside the PSU connectors. This condition, if not corrected, may cause the connector to overheat, leading to electrical arcing and subsequent failure of the PSU Panels. In such instances, smoke is likely to be emitted. To remedy and prevent these problems, the PSU manufacturer Honeywell International Aerospace Electronic Systems (formerly known as Grimes Aerospace Company), has narrowed the tolerances of these gaskets. Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on aircraft of these type designs, this Airworthiness Directive requires inspection [to verify if the J1/P1 and J2/P2 interface connectors can be properly locked and gaskets are present] and, where necessary, replacement of the affected PSU Panel J1 and J2 Interface Connector gaskets.

Corrective actions include installing a gasket, verifying that the J1 and J2 receptacle locking tabs are not deformed, replacing the receptacle, and installing a new PSU panel. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

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

We have corrected two instances where we miscopied the references to the PSU panels in the quoted material as I1 and I2, which should have been J1 and J2.

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

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 our FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

We estimate that this AD will affect about 9 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $2,880, or $320 per product.

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.

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.

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 the NPRM, 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.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: