[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 209 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56137-56138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28616]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-135-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
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 SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection 
to determine the serviceability of the fire extinguisher of the forward 
lavatory waste bin, and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal 
also would require installation of a placard adjacent to the fire 
extinguisher in the forward lavatory waste bin. This proposal is 
prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent leakage of the fire 
extinguishing agent, which could prevent proper distribution of the 
agent within the lavatory waste bin in the event of a fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-135-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: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; 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 97-NM-135-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. 97-NM-135-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 SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises 
that it has received reports indicating that, during maintenance, the 
capillary tube of a fire extinguisher of a forward lavatory waste bin 
was bent and fractured, which resulted in leakage of the fire 
extinguishing agent. This condition, if not corrected, could prevent 
appropriate distribution of the fire extinguishing agent within the 
lavatory waste bin in the event of a fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin SAAB 340-25-235, dated December 
11, 1996, which describes procedures for performing an inspection to 
determine the serviceability of the fire extinguisher of the forward 
lavatory waste bin, and corrective actions, if necessary. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for installation of a placard 
adjacent to the fire extinguisher to provide instructions for 
installation of the fire extinguisher. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-106, 
dated December 12, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Sweden.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Sweden and are 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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 141 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 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 
$16,920, or $120 per airplane.

[[Page 56138]]

    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 97-NM-135-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes having serial 
numbers -121, and -125 through -159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B 
series airplanes having serial numbers -160 through -360 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 leakage of the fire extinguishing agent, which could 
prevent proper distribution of the agent within the lavatory waste 
bin in the event of a fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 340-25-235, dated December 11, 1996.
    (1) Perform an inspection to determine the serviceability of the 
fire extinguisher in the forward lavatory waste bin, in accordance 
with the service bulletin. If any discrepancy is found, prior to 
further flight, accomplish the repair or replacement of the fire 
extinguisher, as specified in the service bulletin.
    (2) Install a placard adjacent to the fire extinguisher in the 
forward lavatory waste bin 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-106, dated December 12, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 23, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28616 Filed 10-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P