Airworthiness Directives; Maryland Air Industries, Inc., Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 Series Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Maryland Air Industries, Inc., Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 Series Airplanes. This AD requires operators to modify their airplanes and revise their inspection or maintenance programs to incorporate instructions for maintenance and inspection of the fuel tank systems, as appropriate, by December 16, 2008, using information developed in accordance with Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR 88). This AD results from fuel system safety reviews done on similar airplane models in accordance with SFAR 88. These safety reviews identified potential unsafe conditions on Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 series airplanes for which the type certificate holder, Maryland Air Industries, Inc., has not conducted SFAR 88 safety reviews, has not provided corrective actions, and does not plan to do so. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.