[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 162 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50628-50630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20964]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-225-AD; Amendment 39-11872; AD 2000-16-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. This 
action requires adjustment of the cargo baggage net, replacement of 
baggage net placards with new placards, and installation of certain new 
baggage net placards. This action is necessary to prevent failure of 
the cargo bulkhead floor attachments, which could result in damage to 
the airplane structure and possible injury to passengers and 
crewmembers. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective September 5, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 5, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-225-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments also may be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-225-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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

[[Page 50629]]

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.

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: 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 has received reports indicating that, on 
certain airplanes having a kinked bulkhead configuration, the cargo 
baggage net is installed such that the forward webbing of the net is 
too close to the aft face of the bulkhead. With this net installation, 
baggage may structurally overload the bulkhead's floor attachments. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the cargo 
bulkhead floor attachments, damage to the airplane structure, and 
possible injury to passengers and crewmembers.

Related Rulemaking

    The FAA has previously issued AD 98-15-23 (63 FR 39496, amendment 
39-10449, July 6, 1998), which, for certain Saab Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, requires adjustment of the cargo baggage net, replacement of 
baggage net placards, and installation of new baggage net placards. 
Since issuance of that AD, the FAA has determined that additional 
airplanes (serial numbers 162, 163, and 171) are subject to the same 
unsafe condition addressed in that AD.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-25-244, Revision 01, dated May 
5, 2000, which describes procedures for adjustment of the cargo baggage 
net, replacement of the baggage net placard on the aft face of the 
kinked bulkhead with a new placard, and installation of new placards on 
the right-hand cargo bay panel. Accomplishment of the actions specified 
in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued Swedish airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-118 R1, dated May 5, 
2000, 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 21.19) 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 the 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, this AD is being issued to require accomplishment 
of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no 
cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
AD would be $60 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-225-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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

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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:

2000-16-15  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11872. Docket 2000-NM-
225-AD.
    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, serial numbers 
162, 163, and 171; 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 failure of the cargo bulkhead floor attachments, 
which could result in damage to the airplane structure and possible 
injury to passengers and crewmembers, accomplish the following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, adjust 
the cargo baggage net; replace the baggage net placard on the aft 
face of the kinked bulkhead with a new placard; and install new 
placards on the right-hand cargo bay panel; in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-25-244, Revision 01, dated May 5, 2000.

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 
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 340-25-244, Revision 01, dated May 5, 2000. 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) 1-118 R1, dated May 5, 2000.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 5, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 11, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20964 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U