[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14651-14652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7881]


      
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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 14651]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-42-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 a one-time inspection to 
detect discrepancies of the electrical harness of the propeller de-
icing system and of the hydraulic pressure pipe from the engine driven 
pump (EDP); and follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This 
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent chafing of the 
hydraulic pressure pipe of the EDP, which could result in charring of 
the hydraulic tube and consequent engine compartment fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-42-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
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 98-NM-42-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that it 
received reports of chafing between the electrical harness of the 
propeller de-icing system and the hydraulic pressure pipe from the 
engine driven pump (EDP) which resulted in the loss of hydraulic fluid 
in one reservoir. The chafing of the electrical harness and the 
hydraulic pressure pipe has been attributed to incorrect routing of the 
electrical harness that occurred in production. Such chafing, if not 
corrected, could result in charring of the hydraulic tube, and 
consequent engine compartment fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin SAAB 2000-30-014, Revision 01, 
dated January 9, 1998, which describes procedures for a one-time visual 
inspection to detect discrepancies (incorrect routing, insufficient 
clearance, and chafing) of the electrical harness of the propeller de-
icing system, and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection to detect chafing 
of the hydraulic pipe from the EDP, and replacement of any discrepant 
pipe with a new pipe, if necessary. The LFV classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD 
No. 1-121, dated January 9, 1998, 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 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

[[Page 14652]]

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 3 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 inspection, 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.

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 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 98-NM-42-AD.

    Applicability: Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 004 through 053 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 
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 chafing of the hydraulic pressure pipe of the engine 
driven pump (EDP), which could result in charring of the hydraulic 
tube and consequent engine compartment fire, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-30-014, 
Revision 01, dated January 9, 1998.
    (1) Perform a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies 
(incorrect routing, insufficient clearance, and chafing) of the 
electrical harness of the propeller de-icing system, left and right 
sides. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, repair.
    (2) Perform a one-time visual inspection to detect chafing of 
the hydraulic pipe of the EDP, left and right sides. If any chafing 
is found, prior to further flight, replace the pipe with a new or 
serviceable part.
    (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. 1-121, dated January 9, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7881 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P