[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 135 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43215-43217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17300]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-23-AD; Amendment 39-11812; AD 2000-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 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 SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, that requires replacing the smoke detectors in the cargo 
compartment with new, improved smoke detectors. 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 false smoke warnings from the cargo 
compartment smoke detectors, which could result in aborted takeoffs, 
diversions of flight routes, and emergency evacuation of flight crew 
and passengers.

DATES: Effective August 17, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 17, 2000.

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

[[Page 43216]]

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
March 27, 2000 (65 FR 16158). That action proposed to require replacing 
the smoke detectors in the cargo compartment with new, improved smoke 
detectors.

Comment Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request for Delay in AD Issuance

    One commenter, the vendor for the existing (Fenwall) smoke 
detector, states that the proposed AD was not warranted, and requests 
that issuance of the final rule be delayed a minimum of 90 days. The 
commenter disagrees with the proposed requirement to replace the 
existing smoke detectors with another vendor's (Cerberus) smoke 
detector. As background, the commenter notes that the existing Fenwall 
smoke detector was susceptible to false alarms due to high humidity 
conditions; and, in response, Fenwall Safety Systems initiated a 
product improvement via Service Bulletin #9701 to correct the problem. 
The commenter states that about 1,000 #9701 kits have been installed to 
date, and a recent polling of operators indicates that the humidity 
problem is no longer a significant concern; i.e., the existing smoke 
detector performs adequately after this modification. The commenter 
requests the 90-day delay to resolve this issue with the airplane 
manufacturer and the Luftsfartsverket (LFV), the airworthiness 
authority for Sweden.
    The FAA does not concur. Based on historical and current data 
received from the LFV and the airplane manufacturer, false (nuisance) 
warnings from the existing smoke detector continue to be a significant 
safety concern. The FAA acknowledges the commenter's statement that 
modification of the existing smoke detector via Fenwall Service 
Bulletin #9701 has resulted in some improvement in reliability. 
However, the commenter did not provide data to substantiate this 
statement. Additionally, the LFV advises that bench and field tests 
conducted with both the modified Fenwall smoke detector and the 
Cerberus smoke detector have shown the Cerberus unit to have a much 
higher reliability with respect to nuisance warnings. The Cerberus 
smoke detector incorporates new technology, i.e., a microprocessor 
intended to better distinguish between smoke conditions and high 
humidity conditions. With this information, the FAA has determined that 
installation of the Cerberus smoke detectors is necessary to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition, and does not consider it 
necessary to delay issuance of the final rule. No change is made to the 
final rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 289 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $2,011 and 
$4,022 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $2,131 and $4,142 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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, 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:

2000-14-03  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11812. Docket 2000-NM-23-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, 
manufacturer's serial numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model 
SAAB 340B series airplanes, manufacturer's serial numbers 160 
through 459 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 false smoke warnings from the cargo compartment smoke 
detectors, which could result in aborted takeoffs, diversions of 
flight routes, and emergency evacuation of flight crew and 
passengers, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the smoke detectors in the cargo compartment with new, improved 
smoke detectors, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-26-
023, dated December 21, 1999.

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,

[[Page 43217]]

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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-26-023, dated December 21, 1999. 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 1-151, dated December 28, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 17, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 3, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-17300 Filed 7-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U