Airworthiness Directives: Saab Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes
Federal Register: February 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 30)
Proposed Rules
Page 7384-7385
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr17fe09-14
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
Docket No. FAA-2009-0035; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-096-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing angle on the forward engine cowl door * * *.
In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the aircraft.
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 19, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0035;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-096-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0069, dated April 11, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing angle on the forward engine cowl door NS STA [nacelle station] 203 and 250.
In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the aircraft.
This AD is issued to require a detailed inspection to find out if there are any cracks [or deformations or wear damage] in the frames and/or the closing angles. The inspection is on four points on each of the forward engine cowl doors.
The corrective action depends on if the crack, deformation, or wear damage is within or outside certain defined limits, and includes doing a repair either in accordance with the specified service information, or contacting Saab for repair instructions and doing the repair. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design
Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect 141 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 2 work-
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hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $22,560, or $160 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2009-0035; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-096-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 19, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Saab Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 004 thorough 159 inclusive, and Model SAAB 340B airplanes, S/Ns 160 through 459 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71: Power
Plant.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing angle on the forward engine cowl door NS STA [nacelle station] 203 and 250.
In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the aircraft.
This AD is issued to require a detailed inspection to find out if there are any cracks [or deformations or wear damage] in the frames and/or the closing angles. The inspection is on four points on each of the forward engine cowl doors.
The corrective action depends on if the crack, deformation, or wear damage is within or outside certain defined limits, and includes doing a repair either in accordance with the specified service information, or contacting Saab for repair instructions and doing the repair.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, do a detailed inspection for cracking, deformation, or wear damage of the frame and closing angle on the forward engine cowl door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab
Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008.
(2) If any crack, deformation, or wear damage is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340- 71-060, dated February 8, 2008.
(3) Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to Saab at the address specified in
Saab Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008. Submit the report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or
(f)(3)(ii) of this AD. The report must include the information specified in the ``Inspection Result Formula'' form in the service bulletin.
(i) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was accomplished before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN:
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM- 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0069, dated April 11, 2008, and Saab
Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008, for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
FR Doc. E9-3264 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
