[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50250-50251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25166]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-10144; AD 97-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that
requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in the cabin area. In
addition, this amendment provides for optional terminating action for
that deactivation. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating
that a flight attendant's floormat heater became overheated as a result
of a short circuit between a floormat heater and a floor panel that was
made of conductive material; this condition resulted in smoke in the
cabin area. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
such short circuiting, which could cause overheating of the floormat
heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin.
DATES: Effective October 30, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from SAAB Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoing, 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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1721; 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 2000
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 22, 1997
(62 FR 27987). That action proposed to require deactivation of certain
floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, that action proposed
to provide for optional terminating action for that deactivation.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, 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 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
deactivation, 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 requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating
action that would be provided by this AD action, it would take
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish it, at an average labor rate
of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the
manufacturer to the operators at no cost. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of this optional terminating action is estimated to be $120
per airplane.
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
[[Page 50251]]
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:
97-20-06 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10144. Docket 96-NM-213-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers
-004 through -039 inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as
specified in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated
October 18, 1996, has not been accomplished; 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 short circuiting between the floormat heater and the
floor panel, which could cause overheating of the floormat heater
and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 14 days after the effective date of the AD,
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01,
dated January 23, 1996.
(b) Installation of a floormat heater, floor covering, and a new
floor panel made of non-conductive material, in accordance with Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996,
constitutes terminating action for the deactivation required by
paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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.
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.
(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996.
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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25166 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
