[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43130-43132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20811]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-91-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 certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
review of records to determine whether an airplane has been repainted 
since its delivery from the factory; and a one-time inspection to 
detect damage associated with improper preparation for the repainting, 
and corrective action, if necessary. This action is prompted by 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information from a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. This action is necessary to detect and correct 
damage to the aluminum skin of the airplane, which could result in a 
weakening of the structure of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified 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 Number 2001-NM-91-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-91-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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 2001-NM-91-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-91-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 43131]]

Discussion

    The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Saab 
Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that, 
on a number of airplanes that were repainted after being delivered from 
the factory, the preparation for such repainting was performed using 
unapproved methods, including sanding the aluminum skin down to bare 
metal. These unapproved methods may have damaged the skin by removing 
its anodized and primed protective coat, causing pitting corrosion, or 
reducing the thickness of the skin to less than the minimum allowable. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the 
aluminum skin of the airplane, with consequent weakening of the 
structure of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-51-020, Revision 01, dated May 
16, 2001, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of 
repainted airplanes for damage caused by use of unapproved methods 
during preparation for repainting. Such damage includes removal of the 
skin's protective coating of bonding primer, pitting corrosion of the 
skin, or reduction of the thickness of the skin to less than the 
minimum allowable. The service bulletin also describes corrective 
action to be taken, if it is found that an unapproved method was used. 
The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Swedish airworthiness directive 1-161 R1, dated March 5, 2001, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the service bulletin specifies 
that the manufacturer may be contacted for disposition of certain 
repair conditions that are detected during the inspection, this 
proposed rule would require the repair of those conditions to be 
accomplished by a method approved by the FAA or the LFV (or its 
designated agent).

FAA's Conclusions

    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. 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 rule would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 288 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed rule.
    It would take 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
review of records, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed review of records on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $17,280, or $60 per airplane.
    For those airplanes which have been repainted, it would take 20 to 
45 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $1,200 to $2,700 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 2001-NM-91-AD

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes having serial 
numbers -004 through -159 inclusive, and SAAB 340B series airplanes 
having 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 (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.

[[Page 43132]]

    To detect and correct damage to the aluminum skin of the 
airplane, which could result in a weakening of the structure of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Review of Records

    (a) Within 200 flight hours or 1 year after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Perform a review of records to 
determine whether an airplane subject to this AD has been repainted 
since its delivery from the factory. If the airplane has not been 
repainted, no further action is needed.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (b) If an airplane has been repainted since its delivery from 
the factory: Within 200 flight hours or 1 year after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform chemical stripping 
of local areas of the skin and inspection to detect damage to (or 
removal of) the protective coat of bonding primer, in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-020, Revision 01, dated May 16, 
2001.
    (1) If no damage to the protective coat of bonding primer is 
detected: Prior to further flight, repaint the stripped areas, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If damage to (or removal of) the protective coat of bonding 
primer is detected: Prior to further flight, perform additional 
chemical stripping and inspection of the skin for pitting corrosion, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If pitting corrosion is detected: Prior to further flight, 
perform corrective action in a manner approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
or the Luftfartsverket (or its designated agent).
    (ii) If no pitting corrosion is detected: Prior to further 
flight, measure the thickness of the skin of the airplane, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (A) If a reduction in skin thickness is detected: Prior to 
further flight, perform corrective action in a manner approved by 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, or the Luftfartsverket 
(or its designated agent).
    (B) If no reduction in skin thickness is detected: Prior to 
further flight, check records to determine whether the airplane was 
repainted using an approved paint system.
    (1) If the airplane was repainted using an approved paint 
system: Prior to further flight, repaint the stripped areas of the 
airplane, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If the airplane was painted using an unapproved paint 
system: Prior to further flight, chemically strip the entire 
airplane and repaint it, in accordance with the service bulletin.

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. 
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

    (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 1-161R1, dated May 5, 2001.


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

[FR Doc. 01-20811 Filed 8-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U