[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16884-16886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8903]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-49-AD; Amendment 39-10449]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. This
amendment requires adjustment of the cargo baggage net, replacement of
baggage net placards, and installation of new baggage net placards.
This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
cargo bulkhead floor attachments, which could result in damage to the
airplane structure and possible injury to passengers and crewmembers.
DATES: Effective July 6, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 6, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-49-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
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 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.
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.
[[Page 16885]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the
airworthiness authority for Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes.
The LFV advises that it has received reports indicating that, on
certain airplanes having a kinked bulkhead configuration, the cargo
baggage net is installed incorrectly. As a result of the incorrect
installation, the forward webbing of the net is too close to the aft
face of the bulkhead, such that baggage may structurally overload the
bulkhead's floor attachments. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the cargo bulkhead floor attachments, damage to
the airplane structure, and possible injury to passengers and
crewmembers.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997,
which describes procedures for adjustment of the cargo baggage net to a
minimum distance of 12.00 inches (304.80 millimeters) between the cargo
baggage net and the aft face of the kinked bulkhead; replacement of the
baggage net placard on the aft face of the kinked bulkhead with a new
placard; and installation of new placards on the right-hand cargo bay
panel. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-118, dated October 9, 1997, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Sweden.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is 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 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, this AD is being issued to require accomplishment
of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
Currently, there are 240 Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes on
the U.S. Register. However, the FAA has determined that none of these
U.S. registered airplanes will be affected by this AD. Therefore, there
is no future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be
$120 per airplane.
The Direct Final Rule Procedure
The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse
or negative comment and, therefore, is issuing it as a direct final
rule. The requirements of this direct final rule address an unsafe
condition identified by a foreign civil airworthiness authority and do
not impose a significant burden on affected operators. In accordance
with 14 CFR 11.17, unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment, is
received within the comment period, the regulation will become
effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment
period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received; at that
time, the AD number will be specified, and the date on which the final
rule will become effective will be confirmed. If the FAA does receive,
within the comment period, a written adverse or negative comment, or
written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document
withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal
Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a
new comment period.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
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 under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-49-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For reasons
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this regulation (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) 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 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 16886]]
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10449. Docket 98-NM-49-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes; manufacturers
serial numbers -205, -207, -230, -276, -281, -289, -292, -296, -302,
-308, -310, -311, -315, -316, -318, -327, -328, -331, -333, -336, -
337, -351, -355, -357, -360 through -365 inclusive, -368, -378, and
-399; 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 cargo bulkhead floor attachments,
which could result in damage to the airplane structure and possible
injury to passengers and crewmembers, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, adjust
the cargo baggage net; replace the baggage net placard on the aft
face of the kinked bulkhead with a new placard; and install new
placards on the right-hand cargo bay panel; in accordance with SAAB
Service Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997.
(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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with SAAB Service
Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-118, dated October 9, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 6, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8903 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
