[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15797-15798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8541]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B and 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 340B and 
SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of 
the check valves of the airfoil de-icing system, or replacement of the 
check valves with improved valves. 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 failure of the check valves, which could result 
in loss of airfoil de-icing capability during single engine operation, 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-134-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 97-NM-134-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. 97-NM-134-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 340B and SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV 
advises that, during single engine operation tests on Model SAAB 340 
series airplanes, check valves in the airfoil de-icing system were 
found to have failed. The same check valves are used in the airfoil de-
icing system of Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. Failed check valves 
could result in loss of airfoil de-icing system operation during single 
engine operation. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-30-080, dated November 21, 
1997, and Service Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997, which 
describe procedures for modification of the check valves of the airfoil 
de-icing system, or replacement of the check valves with improved 
valves. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The LFV classified these service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-120, dated November 
24, 1997, 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

[[Page 15798]]

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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 125 Model SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $30,000, or $240 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 97-NM-134-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, serial numbers 
240 through 430 inclusive; Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 002 through 050 inclusive, and 052; 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 failure of the check valves, which could result in 
loss of airfoil de-icing capability during single engine operation, 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the left- and right-hand check valves of the airfoil de-icing 
system, or replace the check valves with improved valves, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-080, dated November 21, 
1997 (for Model SAAB 340B series airplanes), or Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-30-012, dated November 21, 1997 (for Model SAAB 2000 
series airplanes), as applicable.
    (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. 1-120, dated November 24, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 26, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8541 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U