Airworthiness directives: Saab,

[Federal Register: September 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 176)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 49418-49420]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13se99-32]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-200-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections of the control quadrant for loose screws, and replacement of the control quadrant with a modified part, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is promoted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the power levers from binding due to the backing out of screws that secure the solenoid bracket within the flight idle stop assembly, which could result in the malfunction of the flight idle stop mechanism and the inability to move the power levers to flight idle.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-200-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 Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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:

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 or 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 filedin 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

[[Page 49419]]

postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 99-NM-200-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, Tranport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-200-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 SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that an operator has reported a problem with the left-hand power lever binding and not going into reverse after landing. The investigation showed that a screw had backed out of a cam and caused binding within the control quadrant. Backing out of the screw has been attributed to failure to apply locking compound during installation. Another screw was also found to be missing locking compound. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the malfunction of the flight idle stop mechanism and the inability to move the power levers to flight idle.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-76-043, Revision 01, dated July 29, 1999, which describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the control quadrant for loose screws, and replacement of the control quadrant with a modified control quadrant. Such replacement would eliminate the need for the repetitive inspections. The accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. the LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-143, dated July 2, 1999, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.

The Saab service bulletin references Adams Rite Aerospace Service Letter General SL-01, dated April 6, 1999, as an additional source of service information to accomplish the inspection.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in Sweden and are 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 accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 289 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $17,340, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the parts manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $69,360, or $240 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

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 99-NM-200-AD.

   Applicability: Saab Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, serial numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, series number 160 through 459 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 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 (e) 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 the power levers from binding due to the backing our of screws that secure the solenoid bracket within the flight idle stop assembly, which could result in the

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   malfunction of the flight idle stop mechanism and the inability to move the power levers to flight idle, accomplish the following:

   Inspection

   (a) Within 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a borescopic inspection of the control quadrant for loose screws, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-76-043, Revision 01, dated July 29, 1999. If no loose screws are found, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 800 flight hours, until the requirements of paragraph (c) are accomplished.

   Note 2: Saab Service Bulletin 340-76-043, dated July 2, 1999, references Adams Rite Aerospace Service Letter General SL-01, dated April 6, 1999, as an additional source of service information to accomplish the inspection.

   Note 3: Inspections and replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-76-043, dated July 2, 1999, are considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified in this amendment.

   Corrective Action

   (b) If any loose screw is found during any inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the exiting control quadrant with a modified control quadrant in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-76-043, dated July 2, 1999.

   Terminating Action

   (c) Within 8,000 flight hours or 6 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier: Replace the existing control quadrant with a modified control quadrant in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-76-043, dated July 2, 1999. Such replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

   Spares

   (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install, on any airplane, a control quadrant with a part number and reference letter combination other than the following: part number 53082 and reference letter A

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (e) 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. Operations 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   Special Flight Permits

   (f) 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.

   Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-143, dated July 2, 1999.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 1999. D. L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-23743Filed9-10-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-12-D