[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17324-17325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9338]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-97-AD; Amendment 39-10459; AD 98-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 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 all Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that requires
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation that
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight.
This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller
beta range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or
engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the
power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the
airplane is in flight.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 14, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment 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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1501 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2145; fax (425) 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 all Saab Model SAAB 2000 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62
FR 64782). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation
that prohibits the positioning of the power levers below the flight
idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to add a statement of
the consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle
stop while the airplane is in flight.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposal.
Request To Revise Wording of AFM Revision
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the wording of the
proposed AFM revision be changed to add the word ``engine'' before the
word ``overspeed.'' The manufacturer notes that addition of the word
``engine'' clarifies that the overspeed that can occur is of the
engine, rather than an overspeed of the airplane. The FAA concurs and
has revised the final rule wording of the required AFM revision
accordingly.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change
[[Page 17325]]
previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 Saab Model SAAB 2000 series 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
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD 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 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 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, 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-08-10 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10459. Docket 97-NM-97-AD.
Applicability: All Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes,
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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed
and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in
flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
``Positioning of power lever(s) below the flight idle stop while
the airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead
to loss of airplane control or may result in an engine overspeed
condition and subsequent loss of engine power.''
It is prohibited to activate BETA OVRD in flight.''
(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, 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 Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(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) This amendment becomes effective on May 14, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9338 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
