[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34589-34591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16381]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-420-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A 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 SF340A 
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the air 
recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the passenger 
compartment. These fans may be replaced with upgraded fans with new 
brushes having insulation on the brush leads or they may be replaced 
with modified fans, having new, brushless motors. This action is 
prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. This action is necessary to prevent 
incidents of smoke or a burning smell in the cabin during flight, 
caused by incorrect brush insulation in the motors of the air 
recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the passenger 
compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-420-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-420-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 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: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980545-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1112; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    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 proposed 
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 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-420-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 Number 2000-NM-420-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 SF340A series airplanes. The LFV advises that incorrect 
brush insulation, used in the motors of the air recirculation fans for 
the flight compartment and the passenger compartment, has produced 
smoke or a burning smell in the cabin on a number of occasions. Such 
incorrect brush insulation could result in additional incidents of 
smoke or a burning smell in the cabin during flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-21-039, dated August 23, 2000, 
which describes procedures for removing the air recirculation fans and 
replacing them with upgraded air recirculation fans with new brushes 
having insulation on the brush leads. The LFV classified

[[Page 34590]]

this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness 
directive 1-160, dated August 24, 2000, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
    In addition, Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-21-018, Revision 
02, dated June 21, 2000, which describes procedures for removing the 
air recirculation fans, modifying them by removing the motors and 
installing new, brushless motors. The LFV has not classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory but indicates that it may be performed to 
satisfy the requirements of Swedish airworthiness directive 1-160, 
dated August 24, 2000.

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 require accomplishment of 
the action specified in either of the two service bulletins described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 35 Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 4 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement of the 
two air recirculation fans having part number (P/N) C209-690C with two 
upgraded air recirculation fans having P/N C209-690D, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed replacement is estimated to be $240 per 
airplane.
    The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed optional modification of the two 
air recirculation fans by installing new, brushless motors, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of a kit 
containing two brushless motors is estimated to be $38,000. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed modification is 
estimated to be $38,120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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-420-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A, serial numbers -004 through 1-
08, certificated in any category

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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) 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 incidents of smoke or a burning smell in the cabin 
during flight, caused by incorrect brush insulation in the motors of 
the air recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the 
passenger compartment, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Perform either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Remove the two air recirculation fans having part number (P/
N) C209-690C and replace them with two upgraded air recirculation 
fans having P/N C209-690D, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-21-039, dated August 23, 
2000, OR,
    (2) Remove the two air recirculation fans and replace them with 
modified air recirculation fans with brushless motors having P/N 
9302882-002, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-21-018, Revision 02, dated June 21, 2000.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no air recirculation 
fans having P/N C209-690C may be installed on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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

[[Page 34591]]

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 1-160, dated August 24, 2000.



    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16381 Filed 6-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U