[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30117-30118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14221]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-134-AD; Amendment 39-10551; AD 98-11-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B and 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 certain Saab Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series
airplanes, that requires modification of the check valves of the
airfoil de-icing system, or replacement of the check valves with
improved valves. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the check valves, which could result in loss of airfoil de-
icing capability during single engine operation, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 8, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 8, 1998.
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: 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: 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 340B and
SAAB 2000 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 1, 1998 (63 FR 15797). That action proposed to require
modification of the check valves of the airfoil de-icing system, or
replacement of the check valves with improved valves.
Comments
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.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 125 Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $30,000, or $240 per airplane.
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.
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
98-11-26 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB: Amendment 39-10551. Docket 97-NM-134-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, serial numbers
240 through 430 inclusive; Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial
numbers 002 through 050 inclusive, and 052; 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 check valves, which could result in
loss of airfoil de-icing
[[Page 30118]]
capability during single engine operation, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the left- and right-hand check valves of the airfoil de-icing
system, or replace the check valves with improved valves, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-080, dated November 21,
1997 (for Model SAAB 340B series airplanes), or Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997 (for Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes), as applicable.
(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 340-30-080, dated November 21, 1997, or Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997, as applicable. 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 No. 1-120, dated November 24, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14221 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
