[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43128-43130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20810]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-110-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 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 all Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes. This proposal would require modifying or 
replacing flight data recorders (FDR) of a certain model. This action 
is prompted by reports of a number of incidents in which flight data 
has been lost from the FDR. This action is necessary to prevent loss of 
flight data from the FDR, which could hamper discovery of the cause of 
an accident, preventing the Federal Aviation Administration from 
developing and mandating actions to prevent additional accidents caused 
by the same unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-110-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. 2001-NM-110-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.
    Information pertaining to the proposed AD may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2139; 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

[[Page 43129]]

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 2001-NM-110-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 2001-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of a number of incidents of loss of 
flight data on SAAB Model SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes 
equipped with Loral F800 flight data recorders (FDRs). These FDRs are 
subject to rapid tape movements or jitter, which causes loss or 
distortion of flight data transmitted to them. Investigation of 
accidents involving airplanes equipped with these FDRs has revealed 
that, in a number of cases, the loss of flight data has prevented 
determination of the cause of the accident.

FAA's Determination of Unsafe Condition

    This action is necessary to prevent the loss of flight data from 
the Loral F800 FDRs. Such loss of data does not directly affect the 
safety of the airplane on which the FDR is located. However, should an 
airplane equipped with a malfunctioning FDR also have an unrelated 
unsafe condition that results in an incident or accident, the data 
retrieved from the FDR may be distorted or missing. This lack of 
reliable data could hamper discovery of the unsafe condition that 
caused the incident or accident and prevent the FAA from developing and 
mandating actions to prevent additional incidents or accidents caused 
by that same unsafe condition. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
the proposed AD is necessary.
    It should be noted that the purpose of this proposed AD is not to 
enhance the safety of Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes, 
but rather to restore the level of safety provided by the originally 
approved FDR. Therefore, this AD is the appropriate regulatory vehicle 
to achieve this purpose.

U.S. Type Certification of the Airplanes

    These airplane models are manufactured in Sweden and are 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    The proposed AD would require inspection of the FDR to determine 
whether it is a Loral F800 having a certain part number. If it is found 
that the FDR is a Loral F800 having the certain part number, the FDR 
must be modified or replaced.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 267 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 hour to inspect the FDR to determine 
whether it is a Loral F800 model having a certain part number, and the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $16,020, or $60 per airplane.
    Since the manufacturer of the FDR has not yet developed a specific 
modification commensurate with the requirements of this proposed AD, 
the FAA is unable to provide information as to the number of work hours 
or the cost of parts that may be required to accomplish the proposed 
modification. As indicated earlier in this preamble, the FAA 
specifically invites the submission of comments and other data 
regarding this economic aspect of the proposed AD.

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 2001-NM-110-AD.

    Applicability: All Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability

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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 loss of flight data from the flight data recorder 
(FDR), which could hamper discovery of the cause of an accident, 
preventing the FAA from developing and mandating actions to prevent 
additional accidents caused by the same unsafe condition, accomplish 
the following:

Modification or Replacement

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Inspect 
the FDR to determine whether it is a Loral F800 model having part 
number (P/N) 17M800-261, and if the FDR is a Loral F800 model having 
P/N 17M800-261, modify the FDR or replace it with a different model, 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

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. 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 13, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 01-20810 Filed 8-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P