[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23695-23697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X97-10501]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-167-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 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 2000
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the
existing fire, tailpipe, and bleed-air overheat detector control units
with new, improved units. This proposal is prompted by reports
indicating that false engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire
warnings were issued from the fire detector control units due to
moisture or induced voltages of the detector control unit. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such false fire
warnings, which could result in unnecessary diversion of the airplane,
and resultant increased risks to the airplane, passengers, and crew,
and the potential for an overweight landing.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 12, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-167-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
[[Page 23696]]
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
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 96-NM-167-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-167-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that it
has received reports indicating that false engine and auxiliary power
unit (APU) fire warnings were issued from the fire detector control
units on these airplanes. Investigation has revealed that the false
engine and APU fire warnings were caused by moisture or induced
voltages of the overheat detector wires, which resulted in false input
signals to the fire detector control units. Additionally, the
investigation revealed that moisture or induced voltages also caused
false warnings of the tailpipe and bleed-air overheat detection control
units.
Such moisture or induced voltages of the fire detector control
units, if not corrected, could cause false fire warnings of the engine
or APU during flight; false fire warnings could result in unnecessary
diversion of the airplane, and resultant increased risks to the
airplane, passengers, and crew, and the potential for an overweight
landing.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-26-002, dated May 9, 1995,
which describes procedures for replacement of the fire, tailpipe, and
bleed leak detector control units with new, improved units. These new,
improved control units contain new software that give fire warnings
only when a fire or overheat condition occurs. The LFV classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish Airworthiness
Directive (SAD) No. 1-073, dated May 10, 1995, 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
section 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 replacement of the
existing fire, tailpipe, and bleed leak detector control units with
new, improved units. The actions would be required to be accomplished
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360, or $180 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 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:
[[Page 23697]]
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: Docket 96-NM-167-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes having serial
numbers 005 through 029 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
otherwise 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) 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 false fire warning inputs of the engines and
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), which could result in unnecessary
diversion of the airplane, resultant increased risks to the
airplane, passengers, and crew, and the potential for an overweight
landing; accomplish the following:
(a) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the existing fire (engine/APU), tailpipe, and bleed-air overheat
detector control units with new, improved control units, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-26-002, dated May 9,
1995.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a fire, tailpipe, or bleed-air detector control unit having part
number 25000020-21, 25000021-31, or 25000020-11, on any airplane.
(c) 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.
(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. Issued in Renton,
Washington, on April 25, 1997.
Neil D. Schalekamp,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Dos. 97-11333 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
