[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5284-5285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1520]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-79-AD; Amendment 39-9505; AD 96-03-08]
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series
airplanes, that requires repetitive operational tests of the valve
limit switch of the propeller brake. This amendment also provides for
an optional terminating action for the repetitive tests. This amendment
is prompted by a report that when the propeller brake was not properly
engaged the crew did not receive a ``PROP BRAKE'' warning due to a
faulty valve limit switch. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent a valve limit switch from failing to send input to
the warning system; absence of a ``PROP BRAKE'' warning could result in
the crew being unaware that the propeller brake is not properly engaged
and the propeller may turn without warning.
DATES: Effective March 13, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 13, 1996.
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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1721; fax (206) 227-1149.
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 certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and
SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
November 8, 1995 (60 FR 56274). That action proposed to require
repetitive operational tests of the valve limit switch of the propeller
brake. That action also proposed to provide for the optional
replacement of certain propeller brake control units with a new unit,
which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive test
requirements.
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.
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
The FAA estimates that 23 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required operational tests, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,380, or $60
per airplane, per test cycle.
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.
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.
[[Page 5285]]
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-03-08 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-9505. Docket 95-NM-79-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, having serial
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series
airplanes, having serial numbers 160 through 369 inclusive; on which
the propeller brake system is connected; 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a valve limit switch from failing to send input to
the ``PROP BRAKE'' warning system, which could result in the crew
being unaware that the propeller brake is not properly engaged and
the propeller may turn without warning, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform an operational test of the valve limit switch of the
propeller brake in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-
61-032, Revision 1, dated June 30, 1995. Repeat the test thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours.
(b) Replacement of a propeller brake control unit having part
number (P/N) HP1410100-3, -5, or -7 with a new propeller brake
control unit having P/N HP1410100-10, and performance of an
operational test, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-
61-033, dated March 6, 1995, constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a propeller brake control unit having P/N HP1410100-
3; or any unit having P/N HP1410100-5 or -7 unless that unit has
been modified in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-61-
033, dated March 6, 1995.
(d) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(e) 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.
(f) The tests shall be done in accordance with Saab Service
Bulletin SAAB 340-61-033, dated March 6, 1995. The replacement shall
be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-61-032,
Revision 1, dated June 30, 1995. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 13, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1520 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
