[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54567-54569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26965]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-190-AD; Amendment 39-10828; AD 98-21-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that
currently requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in the
cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for optional terminating
action for that deactivation. This amendment removes the optional
terminating action of the existing AD and adds airplanes to the
applicability of the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent short circuiting between the flight attendant's
floormat heater and the floor panel, which could cause overheating of
the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin.
DATES: Effective November 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the
Federal Register as of October 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-20-06,
amendment 39-10144 (62 FR 50250, September 25, 1997), which is
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1998 (63 FR 42598). The
action currently requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in
the cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for optional terminating
action for that deactivation. This action proposed to remove the
optional terminating action and to add airplanes to the applicability
of the existing AD.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
[[Page 54568]]
Cost Impact
There are approximately 3 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The deactivation that is currently required by AD 97-20-06, and
retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the deactivation currently required
by AD 97-20-06 on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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, Incorporation by
reference, 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10144 (62 FR
50250, September 25, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-10828, to read as follows:
98-21-19 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10828. Docket 98-NM-190-AD.
Supersedes AD 97-20-06, Amendment 39-10144.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers
-004 through -064 inclusive; 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 (c)(1)
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 short circuiting between the flight attendant's
floormat heater and the floor panel, which could cause overheating
of the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane
cabin, accomplish the following:
Restatement of the Requirements of AD 97-20-06
(a) For airplanes having serial numbers -004 through -039
inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as specified in Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996,
has not been accomplished: Within 14 days after October 30, 1997
(the effective date of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144), deactivate
the flight attendant's floormat heater by either disconnecting
electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater and the floor
panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in accordance
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January
23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01,
dated April 3, 1998.
New Requirements of this AD
(b) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a)
of this AD: Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD,
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01,
dated January 23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080,
Revision 01, dated April 3, 1998.
(c)(1) 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, 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.
(c)(2) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the
deactivation, approved previously in accordance with AD 97-20-06,
amendment 39-10144, are approved as alternative methods of
compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c)(3) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the
optional terminating action of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144,
approved previously in accordance with that AD, are not considered
to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
(e) The deactivation shall be done in accordance with Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996,
or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, dated
April 3, 1998.
(1) The incorporation by reference of Saab Alert Service
Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, dated April 3, 1998, is approved
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) The incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin
2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996, was approved
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 30,
1997 (62 FR 50250, September 25, 1997).
(3) Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft
Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-124, dated March 30, 1998.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1998.
[[Page 54569]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 1, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26965 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
