[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17324-17325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9338]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-97-AD; Amendment 39-10459; AD 98-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that requires 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation that 
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop 
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of 
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight. 
This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving 
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller 
beta range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or 
engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the 
power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the 
airplane is in flight.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1501 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2145; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Saab Model SAAB 2000 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62 
FR 64782). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations 
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation 
that prohibits the positioning of the power levers below the flight 
idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and to add a statement of 
the consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle 
stop while the airplane is in flight.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposal.

Request To Revise Wording of AFM Revision

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the wording of the 
proposed AFM revision be changed to add the word ``engine'' before the 
word ``overspeed.'' The manufacturer notes that addition of the word 
``engine'' clarifies that the overspeed that can occur is of the 
engine, rather than an overspeed of the airplane. The FAA concurs and 
has revised the final rule wording of the required AFM revision 
accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change

[[Page 17325]]

previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the 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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. 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, Safety.

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:

98-08-10  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10459. Docket 97-NM-97-AD.

    Applicability: All Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, 
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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed 
and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    ``Positioning of power lever(s) below the flight idle stop while 
the airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead 
to loss of airplane control or may result in an engine overspeed 
condition and subsequent loss of engine power.''
    It is prohibited to activate BETA OVRD in flight.''
    (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 Manager, 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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on May 14, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9338 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U