[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 15, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13921-13923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6332]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B 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 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection to 
detect discrepancies of the flight idle stop override mechanism, and 
corrective action, if necessary. 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 increased braking distance for landings that 
require the flight idle stop override, resulting from the combination 
of failure of the override mechanism and inability of the power levers 
to be moved below the flight idle position after touchdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 14, 2000.

[[Page 13922]]


ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-13-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 2000-NM-13-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. 2000-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 received 
a report of an incident in which a flight crew, when attempting to use 
the automatic flight idle stop override that was required during 
landing, discovered that the override knob was stuck in position in the 
control quadrant. Subsequent inspection of the override knob mechanism 
revealed that cablewire was stuck in its conduit between the knob and 
the uplock mechanism. It appeared that the cablewire may have become 
stuck during modification of the control quadrant for installation of 
the automatic flight idle stop. Similar sticking may occur on other 
airplanes that have been modified in a similar manner. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in inability to move the power levers 
below the flight idle position after touchdown, which could result in 
increased braking distance.

Other Related Rulemaking

    On April 6, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-08-16, amendment 39-10465 
(63 FR 5902, April 14, 1998), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 
SF340A and 340B series airplanes, which currently requires a one-time 
inspection to detect discrepancies of the flight idle stop override 
mechanism, and corrective action, if necessary. That AD was prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by the LFV 
(Swedish airworthiness directive 1-116, dated June 9, 1997). The 
actions required by that AD are intended to prevent increased braking 
distance for landings that require the flight idle stop override, 
resulting from the combination of failure of the override mechanism and 
inability of the power levers to be moved below the flight idle 
position after touchdown.
    Since issuance of that AD, the FAA has determined that the same 
unsafe condition addressed in that AD may exist on certain additional 
Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. Those airplanes (identified as 
serial numbers -380 through -404 inclusive, -406 through -408 
inclusive, and -410 through -413 inclusive) were omitted inadvertently 
from the applicability of AD 98-08-16 (those airplanes had also been 
excluded inadvertently from the effectivity of Swedish airworthiness 
directive 1-116). Therefore, those additional airplanes are also 
subject to the same unsafe condition addressed in AD 98-08-16.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-76-041, dated May 29, 1997, 
and Revision 01, dated July 2, 1997, which describe procedures for a 
one-time inspection to detect whether the override knob moves freely 
without scratching or jamming in the control quadrant. For any 
discrepant mechanism, this service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacement of the control quadrant with a new or serviceable control 
quadrant. The procedures in the original version and Revision 01 of the 
service bulletin are the same; Revision 01 was issued to incorporate 
certain minor clarifications of the procedures. The LFV classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness 
directive SAD 1-148, dated November 18, 1999, in order to ensure 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 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 bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

[[Page 13923]]

operators is estimated to be $1,860, 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 proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it is determined that this proposal would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-13-AD.
    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, certificated in 
any category; serial numbers -380 through -404 inclusive, -406 
through -408 inclusive, and -410 through -413 inclusive.

    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 increased braking distance for landings that require 
the flight idle stop override, resulting from the combination of 
failure of the override mechanism and inability of the power levers 
to be moved below the flight idle position after touchdown, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of the flight idle stop override mechanism to 
detect any discrepancy, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 
340-76-041, dated May 29, 1997, or Revision 01, dated July 2, 1997. 
If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, replace the 
control quadrant with a new or serviceable control quadrant in 
accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 1-148, dated November 18, 1999.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2000.
Franklin Tiangsing,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6332 Filed 3-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U