[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15758-15760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7992]


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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: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A series 
airplanes, that would have required replacement of certain air 
recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the passenger 
compartment. These fans may be replaced with either upgraded fans with 
new brushes having insulation on the brush leads or with modified fans 
having new, brushless motors. That proposal was prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. This new action revises the proposed rule by 
requiring modification of the fan support structure prior to 
installation of the upgraded fans. The actions specified by this new 
proposed AD are intended 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.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 29, 2002.

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 98055-4056; 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 No. 2000-NM-420-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Saab 
Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes was published as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on June 29, 2001 (66 
FR 34589). That NPRM would have required replacement of the air 
recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the passenger 
compartment with either upgraded fans with new brushes having 
insulation on the brush leads or with modified fans having new, 
brushless motors. That NPRM was prompted by information from the 
Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for Sweden, 
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 in the motors of 
the air recirculation fans in the flight compartment and the passenger 
compartment could result in additional incidents of smoke or a burning 
smell in the cabin during flight.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Shortly after the FAA issued NPRM Docket No. 2000-NM-420-AD, the 
FAA received notification that the LFV had issued Swedish airworthiness 
directive SAD No. 1-160 R1, dated June 13, 2001, which cancelled SAD 
No. 1-160, dated August 24, 2000. The revised Swedish airworthiness 
directive required performance of actions in accordance

[[Page 15759]]

with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-21-039, Revision 01, dated April 18, 
2001. In addition to describing 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 service 
bulletin describes procedures for a modification to the support 
structure for the flight compartment air recirculation fan. The fan 
support structure must be modified because the new brushes on the 
upgraded fans make the fan housing slightly longer. The longer housing 
interferes with the existing fan support structure. Therefore, the 
existing support structure must be modified by making a small cut-out 
in the structure prior to installing the upgraded fan.

Conclusion

    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed rule 
by proposing additional work for the operators, the FAA has determined 
that it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional 
opportunity for public comment.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD and that the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour.
    It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed removal of the two air recirculation fans having part 
number (P/N) C209-690B, C209-690B1, or C209-690C and their replacement 
with two upgraded air recirculation fans having P/N C209-690D. Based on 
this figure, the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $8,400, or $240 per airplane.
    It would take approximately another 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed modification of the fan support structure. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed modification on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,300, or $180 per airplane.
    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. The cost of the brushless motors is 
$38,000 per airplane. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the 
proposed optional modification on U.S. operators 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 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 series airplanes, serial 
numbers -004 through--108, 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.
    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) C209-690B, C209-690B1, or C209-690C, modify the structure of the 
fan support, and replace the fans with two upgraded air 
recirculation fans having P/N C209-690D, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-21-039, 
Revision 01, dated April 18, 2001.

    Note 2: The upgraded fans are larger than the original fans and 
will interfere with the structure of the fan support. A modification 
to the structure of the fan support to include a small cutout is 
contained in Paragraph 2.C. of Saab Service Bulletin 340-21-039, 
Revision 01.


    Note 3: The modification to the structure of the fan support to 
include a small cutout is also described in Saab Service Bulletin 
340-21-001, Revision 1, dated February 20, 1985. For those airplanes 
on which the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) have been performed 
prior to the effective date of this AD, modification of the 
structure of the fan support to include a small cutout in accordance 
with that service bulletin is acceptable as a means of compliance 
with the applicable requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.

    (2) Remove the two air recirculation fans having P/N C209-690B, 
C209-690B1, or C209-690C, and replace the fans with two 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 C209-690B, C209-690B1, or C209-690C may be installed 
on any airplane.

[[Page 15760]]

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 4: 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-160 R1, dated June 13, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7992 Filed 4-2-02; 8:45 am]
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