[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16884-16886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8903]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-49-AD; Amendment 39-10449]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. This 
amendment requires adjustment of the cargo baggage net, replacement of 
baggage net placards, and installation of new baggage net placards. 
This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
cargo bulkhead floor attachments, which could result in damage to the 
airplane structure and possible injury to passengers and crewmembers.

DATES: Effective July 6, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 6, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-49-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

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.


[[Page 16885]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. 
The LFV advises that it has received reports indicating that, on 
certain airplanes having a kinked bulkhead configuration, the cargo 
baggage net is installed incorrectly. As a result of the incorrect 
installation, the forward webbing of the net is too close to the aft 
face of the bulkhead, such that baggage may structurally overload the 
bulkhead's floor attachments. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the cargo bulkhead floor attachments, damage to 
the airplane structure, and possible injury to passengers and 
crewmembers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997, 
which describes procedures for adjustment of the cargo baggage net to a 
minimum distance of 12.00 inches (304.80 millimeters) between the cargo 
baggage net and the aft face of the kinked bulkhead; replacement of the 
baggage net placard on the aft face of the kinked bulkhead with a new 
placard; and installation of new placards on the right-hand cargo bay 
panel. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-118, dated October 9, 1997, 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 
Sec. 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 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, this AD is being issued to require accomplishment 
of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    Currently, there are 240 Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes on 
the U.S. Register. However, the FAA has determined that none of these 
U.S. registered airplanes will be affected by this AD. Therefore, there 
is no future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$120 per airplane.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and, therefore, is issuing it as a direct final 
rule. The requirements of this direct final rule address an unsafe 
condition identified by a foreign civil airworthiness authority and do 
not impose a significant burden on affected operators. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 11.17, unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a 
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment, is 
received within the comment period, the regulation will become 
effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment 
period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register 
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received; at that 
time, the AD number will be specified, and the date on which the final 
rule will become effective will be confirmed. If the FAA does receive, 
within the comment period, a written adverse or negative comment, or 
written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document 
withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal 
Register, and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a 
new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-49-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. For reasons 
discussed in the preamble, I certify that this 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 it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at 
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 16886]]

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:  Amendment 39-10449. Docket 98-NM-49-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes; manufacturers 
serial numbers -205, -207, -230, -276, -281, -289, -292, -296, -302, 
-308, -310, -311, -315, -316, -318, -327, -328, -331, -333, -336, -
337, -351, -355, -357, -360 through -365 inclusive, -368, -378, and 
-399; 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 cargo bulkhead floor attachments, 
which could result in damage to the airplane structure and possible 
injury to passengers and crewmembers, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, adjust 
the cargo baggage net; replace the baggage net placard on the aft 
face of the kinked bulkhead with a new placard; and install new 
placards on the right-hand cargo bay panel; in accordance with SAAB 
Service Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997.
    (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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with SAAB Service 
Bulletin 340-25-244, dated June 13, 1997. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-118, dated October 9, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 6, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8903 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P