[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50500-50501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25121]



[[Page 50500]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-176-AD; Amendment 39-10782; AD 98-20-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time inspection for moisture or other contamination of a 
certain wiring harness, electrical relay, and relay socket; a one-time 
inspection for electrical damage of the same electrical relay and 
socket; corrective actions, if necessary; and replacement of certain 
nut plates with new, improved parts. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent a short circuit caused by fluid leakage, which 
could result in inability to retract the landing gear or require the 
use of emergency extension.

DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: 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 
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: 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: 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 certain Saab Model SAAB 340B 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1998 
(63 FR 38353). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection 
for moisture or other contamination of a certain wiring harness, 
electrical relay, and relay socket; a one-time inspection for 
electrical damage of the same electrical relay and socket; corrective 
actions, if necessary; and replacement of certain nut plates with new, 
improved parts.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request To Revise Descriptive Language

    One commenter notes that the description of the incident that 
appeared in the Discussion section of the preamble to the notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) refers to ``* * * the flightcrew being 
unable to extend and lock down the landing gear.'' The commenter notes 
that it was the normal extension operation that failed, and that the 
crew used emergency extension and made a normal landing. The commenter 
suggests that a more accurate description would be ``the flightcrew 
having to use emergency extension of the landing gear.'' The FAA 
acknowledges that the commenter's wording is more accurate. Since the 
Discussion section is not restated in this final rule, no change to the 
final rule is necessary.
    The same commenter also suggests that the description of the unsafe 
condition that appeared in the NPRM be revised to read ``* * * which 
could result in inability to retract the landing gear or require the 
use of emergency extension. * * *'' The FAA concurs with this 
suggestion and has revised the pertinent wording throughout the final 
rule.

Request To Reference Latest Saab Service Bulletin

    In addition, the commenter requests that paragraph (a) of the 
proposed AD be revised to reference Revision 01 of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-115, dated August 12, 1998. The commenter notes that 
the reason for this revision was to clarify identification of wire 
numbers. The FAA concurs. Since issuance of the NPRM, Saab has issued 
Revision 01 of the subject service bulletin. The inspections, 
replacement, and corrective actions described in Revision 01 of the 
service bulletin are essentially identical to those described in the 
original version of the service bulletin (which was referenced in the 
NPRM as the appropriate source of service information). As noted by the 
commenter, the only relevant change is to clarify wire numbers. 
Therefore, the FAA has revised paragraph (a) of the final rule to 
reference Revision 01 of the subject service bulletin as an additional 
source of service information.

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

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 120 Model SAAB 340B series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspections, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200, or $60 
per airplane.
    It would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600, or 
$180 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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

[[Page 50501]]

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

98-20-15  Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10782. Docket 98-NM-176-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, manufacturer 
serial numbers 380 through 499 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 a short circuit caused by fluid leakage, which could 
result in inability to retract the landing gear or require the use 
of emergency extension, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), 
(a)(3), and (a)(4) of this AD, in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-115, dated April 7, 1998, or Revision 01, dated 
August 12, 1998. As of the effective date of this AD, Revision 01 of 
the service bulletin shall be used.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect moisture or 
other contamination of the electrical wiring harness above relay 
consoles 305VU and 306VU. If any moisture or other contamination is 
found, prior to further flight, clean the wiring harness.
    (2) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect moisture or 
other contamination of electrical relay 15GA and its socket. If any 
moisture or other contamination is found, prior to further flight, 
accomplish corrective actions.
    (3) Perform a detailed visual inspection for electrical damage 
of electrical relay 15GA and its socket. If any sign of electrical 
damage (arcing, discoloration, or charring) is detected, prior to 
further flight, replace the existing relay and socket with new 
parts.
    (4) Replace the existing nut plates on the floor of the cockpit 
with new, improved nut plates, on the left and right sides of the 
airplane.
    (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 340-32-115, dated April 7, 1998, or Saab Service Bulletin 
340-32-115, Revision 01, dated August 12, 1998. 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 1-125, dated April 7, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25121 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U