[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19686-19688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10487]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-100-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
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 SF340A and
SAAB 340B series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive,
detailed visual inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for
discrepant conditions, and corrective actions, if necessary. 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
windshield wiper assembly, which could result in loss of visibility,
damage to the propeller(s), or penetration of the fuselage skin and
consequent depressurization of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-100-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 98-NM-100-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. 98-NM-100-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises
that it has received reports indicating that a windshield wiper blade
separated from the wiper arm at the attachment point, which consists of
two rivets that connect the wiper blade and arm tip to the wiper arm.
On one airplane, the wiper blade struck and damaged a propeller and was
thrown into the side of the airplane. The cause of the detachment of
the blade has been attributed to the failure of the two rivets. Such
failure could result in loss of visibility, damage to the propeller(s),
or penetration of the fuselage skin and consequent depressurization of
the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued SAAB Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated
November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September
14, 1997, which describes procedures for a one-time, detailed visual
inspection of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions
(corrosion; excessive wear; missing, loose, or broken parts; improper
alignment; and insecure attachment), and corrective actions, if
necessary. The corrective actions include repairing the arm tip
assembly or replacing it with a new or serviceable part, if necessary.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The LFV
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-115R1, dated
[[Page 19687]]
November 17, 1997, in order to assure the 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
Sec. 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 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
actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, except
as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the service bulletin does not
contain a recommended interval for repetitive visual inspections, the
FAA has determined that repetitive inspections are necessary to address
the identified unsafe condition, since discrepancies in the windshield
wiper assembly could develop and lead to failure following
accomplishment of an inspection. In developing an appropriate
repetitive inspection interval for this AD, the FAA considered the
degree of urgency for the affected fleet, and the time necessary to
perform the inspection (less than one hour). In light of these factors,
the FAA finds a 1,000-flight-hour repetitive inspection interval to be
warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time for
affected airplanes to continue to operate between inspections without
compromising safety.
In addition, operators should note that, although the service
bulletin does not specify repair methods, this proposed AD would
require repair in accordance with a method approved by either the FAA
or the LFV (or its delegated agent). In light of the type of repair
that would be required to address the identified unsafe condition, and
in consonance with existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, the FAA
has determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair approved by either
the FAA or the LFV would be acceptable for compliance with this
proposed AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 254 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the actions proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $15,240, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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 (Formerly SAAB Fairchild): Docket 98-NM-100-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes,
manufacturer's serial numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and SAAB
340B series airplanes, manufacturer's serial numbers 160 through 399
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 (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 windshield wiper assembly, which could
result in loss of visibility, damage to the propeller(s), or
penetration of the fuselage skin and consequent depressurization of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours, or
within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection of the windshield
wiper assembly for discrepancies (corrosion; excessive wear;
missing, loose, or broken parts; improper alignment; and insecure
attachment), in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081,
dated November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated
September 14, 1997.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected during the inspection, repeat
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight
hours.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection, prior
to further flight, replace the windshield wiper assembly with a new
or serviceable windshield wiper assembly, or repair in accordance
with a method approved either by the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, or by the
Luftfartsverket (or its delegated agent). Repeat the detailed visual
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.
(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,
[[Page 19688]]
International Branch, ANM-116. Operators shall submit their request
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
Secs. 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 1-115R1, dated November 17, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 15, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10487 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
