Airworthiness directives: Saab,
[Federal Register: July 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 134)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 37795-37796]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jy98-21]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-144-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 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 2000 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacing the radio tuning units (RTU's) and associated components with new, improved parts. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent NAV/ COM radios from simultaneously changing tuned frequencies and transponder codes due to a black screen failure or ``blanking'' of an RTU, which could result in loss of communications capability and air traffic control data.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-144-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, Linkping, 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 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 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 postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 97-NM-144-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-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-144-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that, in the event of a ``blanking'' (black screen) failure of a single radio tuning unit (RTU), the NAV/COM radios may change tuned radio frequencies and transponder codes. Such frequency and transponder code changes may occur on both left and right NAV/COM radios simultaneously. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of communications capability and air traffic control data.
The manufacturer of the RTU's reported that this ``blanking'' failure of an RTU is a design problem that was discovered during an investigation of a service difficulty on another airplane model. The RTU's installed on certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes are the same type as those on the other airplane model. Therefore, Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Saab Service Bulletin 2000-23-017, dated March 10, 1997, which describes procedures for replacing existing RTU's and associated components with new, improved parts. The improved RTU's are not susceptible to frequency or transponder code changes due to a ``blanking'' failure. 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 1-109, dated March 12, 1997, 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
[[Page 37796]]
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 actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, and that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer of the RTU at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360, or $120 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:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Saab Aircraft AB: Docket 97-NM-144-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, as listed in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-23-017, dated March 10, 1997; 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 NAV/COM radios from simultaneously changing tuned frequencies and transponder codes due to a black screen failure or ``blanking'' of a radio tuning unit (RTU), which could result in loss of communications capability and air traffic control data, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing RTU's and associated components with new, improved parts, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-23-017, dated March 10, 1997.
(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 request 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish airworthiness directive SAD 1-109, dated March 12, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1998. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18645Filed7-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
