[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 112 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13373]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-233-AD; Amendment 39-8929; AD 94-12-02]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
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 SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, that requires an inspection of the elevator and aileron 
coves, and further inspections and repair, if necessary. This amendment 
is prompted by a report of delamination between the composite structure 
and the aluminum foil on the elevator cove on a Model SAAB SF340B 
series airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent jamming of the aileron or elevator.

DATES: Effective July 13, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 13, 1994.

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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2145; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 1994 (59 
FR 5361). That action proposed to require an inspection of the elevator 
and aileron coves to verify the type of antistatic protection applied 
to the coves. For coves that are found without conductive paint or 
expanded aluminum foil, that action proposed to require a detailed 
visual inspection and delamination tap test to detect aluminum foil 
delamination on the coves; and either a temporary repair and repetitive 
detailed visual inspections and delamination tap tests of the coves, or 
a permanent repair of the coves. Accomplishment of the permanent repair 
terminates the repetitive detailed visual inspections and delamination 
tap tests.
    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. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 152 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $167,200, or $1,000 per 
airplane.
    The total 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.
    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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-12-02  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-8929. Docket 93-NM-233-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, serial 
numbers -004 through -159, inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, serial numbers -160 through -260, inclusive; certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent jamming of the aileron or elevator, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 500 hours time-in-service or 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an 
inspection of the elevator and aileron coves to verify the type of 
antistatic protection applied to the coves, in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated November 10, 1993.
    (b) If a cove has conductive paint or expanded aluminum foil 
(stretched metal--aluminum net), no further action is required by 
this AD for that cove.
    (c) If a cove does not have conductive paint or expanded 
aluminum foil (stretched metal--aluminum net), prior to further 
flight, perform a detailed visual inspection and delamination tap 
test to detect aluminum foil delamination on the elevator or aileron 
cove, in accordance with the Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated 
November 10, 1993.
    (1) If no delamination is found, repeat the detailed visual 
inspection and delamination tap test thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 800 hours time-in-service in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (2) If any delamination is found, prior to further flight, 
accomplish either paragraph (c)(2)(i) or (c)(2(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Perform a temporary repair of the cove in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the detailed visual 
inspection and delamination tap test required by paragraph (c) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 800 hours time-in-service. Or
    (ii) Perform a permanent repair of the cove in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Accomplishment of this permanent repair 
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection 
required by this AD.
    (d) 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, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (f) The inspections and repairs shall be done in accordance with 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated November 10, 1993. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 13, 1994.

    .Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-13373 Filed 6-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U