[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27986-27987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13468]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 99 / Thursday, May 22, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 27986]]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-211-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 performing a one-time 
inspection of the dropout boxes of the passenger oxygen system to 
detect discrepancies and determine whether the system operates 
properly; correcting any discrepancy found; and reworking or installing 
new components, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report 
indicating that the oxygen system failed to operate correctly after 
activation at a low cabin pressure due to the incorrect installation of 
the oxygen masks or oxygen generators during manufacturing. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that a sufficient 
supply of oxygen is provided to airplane passengers in the event of 
rapid decompression of the airplane.

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-211-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: 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-211-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-211-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 reports 
indicating that the passenger oxygen system failed to operate correctly 
in an airplane after activation at a low cabin pressure due to the 
improper packing of the mask assemblies or incorrect installation of 
the oxygen generators or masks during manufacturing. The following 
failures were noted for some of the oxygen system components:
    1. Lids to the dropout boxes did not open.
    2. Oxygen mask hoses became disconnected from the generator outlet 
connections.
    3. Oxygen masks were not released from the dropout boxes.
    In addition, subsequent inspection of the passenger oxygen system 
on one Model SAAB 2000 series airplane revealed that two oxygen 
generators were released along with the oxygen masks, which indicates 
that the oxygen mask assembly was incorrectly packed in the dropout 
boxes.
    Improper functioning of the passenger oxygen system, if not 
corrected, could result in an insufficient supply of oxygen being 
provided to airplane passengers in the event of rapid decompression of 
the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-35-001, dated February 20, 
1996, which describes procedures for performing a one-time inspection 
of the dropout boxes of the passenger oxygen system to detect 
discrepancies and determine whether the system operates properly; 
correcting any discrepancy found; and reworking or installing new 
components, if necessary.
    The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-091, dated February 20, 1996, 
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

[[Page 27987]]

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 performing a one-
time inspection of the dropout boxes of the passenger oxygen system to 
detect discrepancies and determine whether the system operates 
properly; correcting any discrepancy found; and reworking or installing 
new components, if necessary. These actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 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 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, 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 $540, or $180 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

    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-211-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, having serial 
numbers -003 through -039 inclusive; 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 (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 an insufficient supply of oxygen being provided to 
airplane passengers in the event of rapid decompression of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of the dropout boxes of the passenger oxygen 
system to detect discrepancies and determine whether the system 
operates properly, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-35-001, dated February 
20, 1996.
    (1) If the passenger oxygen system operates properly and no 
discrepancy is found in this system, no further action is required 
by this AD.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found in the passenger oxygen system, 
prior to further flight, perform rework or install new components, 
as applicable, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (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, 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.
    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-13468 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U