[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69491-69493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29116]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-200-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes 
Equipped With Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers

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 340B 
series airplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand propellers. This 
proposal would require a one-time inspection of two remote controlled 
circuit breakers (RCCB), located in specific electrical compartments, 
to identify the part number, and replacement of the RCCBs with new 
RCCBs having a different part number if necessary. This action is 
necessary to ensure removal of 35-ampere (amp) RCCBs on a 50-amp 
electrical circuit. Incorrect RCCBs on an electrical circuit could 
result in erroneous tripping of the RCCBs (even though an overload 
condition does not exist), premature failure of the RCCBs, loss of 
power to the feather pump system, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-200-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 may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-200-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, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. This information 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 
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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-200-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,

[[Page 69492]]

ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-200-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 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that these 
airplanes were manufactured with 50-ampere (amp) remote controlled 
circuit breakers (RCCB) installed. However, the illustrated parts 
catalog incorrectly references a 35-amp RCCB, which is specific to 
Dowty propellers. A 35-amp RCCB on a 50-amp electrical circuit, if not 
corrected, could result in erroneous tripping of the RCCBs (even though 
an overload condition does not exist), premature failure of the RCCBs, 
loss of power to the feather pump system, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-61-038, dated January 30, 
2002, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection to identify 
the part number of the RCCB located in electrical compartment 407VU and 
the RCCB located in electrical compartment 408VU, and replacement of 
RCCBs with certain part numbers with new RCCBs having different part 
numbers if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-172, dated January 31, 
2002, 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 21.29) 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 actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 251 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that 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 $15,060 or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 2002-NM-200-AD.
    Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes equipped with 
Hamilton Sundstrand propellers, 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 erroneous tripping of the remote controlled circuit 
breakers (RCCB) (even though an overload condition does not exist), 
premature failure of the RCCBs, loss of power to the feather pump 
system, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement, If Necessary

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of RCCB 29KFC located in electrical 
compartment 407VU, and RCCB 30KFC located in electrical compartment 
408VU, to identify the part number, per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-61-038, dated January 30, 
2002.
    (1) If both RCCBs are identified as part number (P/N) M83383-01-
09, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any RCCB is identified as P/N M83383-02-07, prior to 
further flight, replace the RCCB with an RCCB having P/N M83383-01-
09, per the service bulletin.

[[Page 69493]]

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an RCCB, P/N M83383-02-07, in electrical compartment 407VU or 
electrical compartment 408VU, 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 
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 1-172, dated January 31, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29116 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P