[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27987-27989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13466]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-213-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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 the deactivation of 
certain floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, this proposal 
would provide for optional terminating action for that deactivation. 
This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that a flight 
attendant's floormat heater became overheated as a result of a short 
circuit between a floormat heater and a floor

[[Page 27988]]

panel that was made of conductive material; this condition resulted in 
smoke in the cabin area. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent such short circuiting, which could cause 
overheating of the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the 
airplane cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-213-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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1721; 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 filed in 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 96-NM-213-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 96-NM-213-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 of a report 
indicating that during flight of a Model SAAB 2000 series airplane, a 
flight attendant's floormat heater in the cabin area overheated as a 
result of a short circuit between the heater and the floor. A possible 
cause was attributed to an object being placed inadvertently between a 
floormat heater and a floor panel that was made with a conductive 
carbon fiber skin. Such short circuiting, if not corrected, could cause 
overheating of the floormat heater, and lead to smoke or fire in the 
airplane cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated 
January 23, 1996, which describes procedures for deactivating the 
flight attendant's floormat heater in the cabin area, either by 
disconnecting, isolating, and storing electrical cable HW71-20, or by 
removing fuse 17HW (1) from panel 306VU. Accomplishment of this 
deactivation will prevent a short circuit between the floormat heater 
and floor panel. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-086, dated January 
19, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Sweden.
    In addition, Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 
02, dated October 18, 1996, which describes procedures for replacing 
the floor panel under the flight attendant's seat in the fuselage with 
a new floor panel. These procedures include removing the existing floor 
covering in the entrance area, floormat heater, and floor panel; and 
installing a floormat heater, floor covering, and a new floor panel. 
The existing floor panel, which is made of conductive carbon fiber skin 
material, will be replaced by a new floor panel made of non-conductive 
material. Accomplishment of these actions will eliminate the need for 
deactivating the flight attendant's floormat heater, as described in 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022. The LFV classified Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-53-020 as optional.

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 
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 the deactivation of 
certain floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, this proposed 
AD would also provide for optional terminating action for that 
deactivation. These actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the Saab service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 Saab Model SAAB 2000 series 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 
deactivation, 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 $180, or $60 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.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating 
action that would be provided by this AD action, it would take 
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish it, at an

[[Page 27989]]

average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer to the operators at no cost. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this optional terminating action is 
estimated to be $120 per airplane.

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 96-NM-213-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -039 inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as 
specified in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated 
October 18, 1996, has not been accomplished; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (c) 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 short circuiting between the floormat heater and the 
floor panel, which could cause overheating of the floormat heater 
and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of the AD, 
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either 
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater 
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, 
dated January 23, 1996.
    (b) Installation of a floormat heater, floor covering, and a new 
floor panel made of non-conductive material, in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996, 
constitutes terminating action for the deactivation required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) 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. 
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.

    (d) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-13466 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U