[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15797-15798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8541]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B and
SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of
the check valves of the airfoil de-icing system, or replacement of the
check valves with improved valves. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent failure of the check valves, which could result
in loss of airfoil de-icing capability during single engine operation,
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-134-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-134-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-134-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Saab Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV
advises that, during single engine operation tests on Model SAAB 340
series airplanes, check valves in the airfoil de-icing system were
found to have failed. The same check valves are used in the airfoil de-
icing system of Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. Failed check valves
could result in loss of airfoil de-icing system operation during single
engine operation. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-30-080, dated November 21,
1997, and Service Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997, which
describe procedures for modification of the check valves of the airfoil
de-icing system, or replacement of the check valves with improved
valves. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The LFV classified these service bulletins as mandatory and
issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-120, dated November
24, 1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Sweden.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in Sweden 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 LFV has
[[Page 15798]]
kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has
examined the findings of the LFV, reviewed all available information,
and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type
design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 125 Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $30,000, or $240 per airplane.
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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Saab Aircraft AB: Docket 97-NM-134-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, serial numbers
240 through 430 inclusive; Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial
numbers 002 through 050 inclusive, and 052; 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 failure of the check valves, which could result in
loss of airfoil de-icing capability during single engine operation,
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the left- and right-hand check valves of the airfoil de-icing
system, or replace the check valves with improved valves, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-080, dated November 21,
1997 (for Model SAAB 340B series airplanes), or Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997 (for Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes), as applicable.
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-120, dated November 24, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 26, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8541 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
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