[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5284-5285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1520]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-79-AD; Amendment 39-9505; AD 96-03-08]


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 repetitive operational tests of the valve 
limit switch of the propeller brake. This amendment also provides for 
an optional terminating action for the repetitive tests. This amendment 
is prompted by a report that when the propeller brake was not properly 
engaged the crew did not receive a ``PROP BRAKE'' warning due to a 
faulty valve limit switch. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent a valve limit switch from failing to send input to 
the warning system; absence of a ``PROP BRAKE'' warning could result in 
the crew being unaware that the propeller brake is not properly engaged 
and the propeller may turn without warning.

DATES: Effective March 13, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 13, 1996.

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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1721; fax (206) 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 SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
November 8, 1995 (60 FR 56274). That action proposed to require 
repetitive operational tests of the valve limit switch of the propeller 
brake. That action also proposed to provide for the optional 
replacement of certain propeller brake control units with a new unit, 
which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive test 
requirements.
    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 23 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 operational tests, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,380, or $60 
per airplane, per test cycle.
    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.
    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. 

[[Page 5285]]


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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-03-08  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-9505. Docket 95-NM-79-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, having serial 
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, having serial numbers 160 through 369 inclusive; on which 
the propeller brake system is connected; 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a valve limit switch from failing to send input to 
the ``PROP BRAKE'' warning system, which could result in the crew 
being unaware that the propeller brake is not properly engaged and 
the propeller may turn without warning, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an operational test of the valve limit switch of the 
propeller brake in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-
61-032, Revision 1, dated June 30, 1995. Repeat the test thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours.
    (b) Replacement of a propeller brake control unit having part 
number (P/N) HP1410100-3, -5, or -7 with a new propeller brake 
control unit having P/N HP1410100-10, and performance of an 
operational test, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-
61-033, dated March 6, 1995, constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a propeller brake control unit having P/N HP1410100-
3; or any unit having P/N HP1410100-5 or -7 unless that unit has 
been modified in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-61-
033, dated March 6, 1995.
    (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 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The tests shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin SAAB 340-61-033, dated March 6, 1995. The replacement shall 
be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-61-032, 
Revision 1, dated June 30, 1995. 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 March 13, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1520 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U