[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 153 (Monday, August 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42598-42600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21261]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-190-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 
2000 series airplanes, that currently requires deactivation of certain 
floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for 
optional terminating action for that deactivation. This action would 
remove the optional terminating action of the existing AD and would add 
airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD.

[[Page 42599]]

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 short 
circuiting between the flight attendant's floormat heater and the floor 
panel, which could cause overheating of the floormat heater and lead to 
smoke or fire in the airplane cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-190-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-190-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-190-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On September 17, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-
10144 (62 FR 50250, September 25, 1997), applicable to certain Saab 
Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, to require deactivation of certain 
floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for 
optional terminating action for that deactivation. That action was 
prompted by a report indicating that a flight attendant's floormat 
heater became overheated as a result of a short circuit between a 
floormat heater and a floor panel that was made of conductive material; 
this condition resulted in smoke in the cabin area. The requirements of 
that AD are intended to prevent such short circuiting, which could 
cause overheating of the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in 
the airplane cabin.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has advised that 
the optional terminating action provided by AD 97-20-06 (reference Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996) does 
not eliminate the potential for a short circuit between the floormat 
heater and the floor panel. That optional terminating action involves 
the installation of a floor panel made of nonconductive material.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, 
dated April 3, 1998, which describes procedures for deactivation of 
certain floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, Revision 01 of 
the alert service bulletin revises the effectivity of the original 
issue to increase the number of airplanes affected by the identified 
unsafe condition. Accomplishment of the action specified in the alert 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Sweden, classified this alert service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-124, dated March 
30, 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 type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 97-20-06 to 
continue to require deactivation of certain floormat heaters in the 
cabin area. This action would remove the optional terminating action of 
the existing AD and would add airplanes to the applicability of the 
existing AD. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously in this 
proposed AD, or in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, 
Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996, as specified in AD 97-20-06.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 3 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    The deactivation that is currently required by AD 97-20-06 takes 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the deactivation currently required by AD 97-20-06 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 current or proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

[[Page 42600]]

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 removing amendment 39-10144 (62 FR 
50250, September 25, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 98-NM-190-AD. Supersedes AD 97-20-06, 
Amendment 39-10144.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -064 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 (c)(1) 
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 short circuiting between the flight attendant's 
floormat heater and the floor panel, which could cause overheating 
of the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane 
cabin, accomplish the following:
    Restatement of the Requirements of AD 97-20-06:
    (a) For airplanes having serial numbers -004 through -039 
inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as specified in Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996, 
has not been accomplished: Within 14 days after October 30, 1997 
(the effective date of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144), deactivate 
the flight attendant's floormat heater by either disconnecting 
electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater and the floor 
panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 
23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, 
dated April 3, 1998.
    New Requirements of This AD:
    (b) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a) 
of this AD: Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, 
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either 
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater 
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, 
dated January 23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, 
Revision 01, dated April 3, 1998.
    (c)(1) 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, 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the 
deactivation, approved previously in accordance with AD 97-20-06, 
amendment 39-10144, are approved as alternative methods of 
compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (3) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the optional 
terminating action of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144, approved 
previously in accordance with that AD, are not considered to be 
approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

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

    (d) 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 1-124, dated March 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21261 Filed 8-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U