[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5792-5794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2482]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 5793]]


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 replacement of 
certain assistor springs and bearings with certain new assistor springs 
and bearings. This action is necessary to prevent possible collapse of 
a main landing gear upon landing and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-25-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. 2003-NM-25-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 or 2000 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: 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 2003-NM-25-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. 2003-NM-25-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain 
Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. LFV advises that 
certain assistor springs of the main landing gear with the wire-formed 
end loop design have failed in service. Further, one known incident has 
been reported where the assistor spring cable (wire-rope) prevented the 
main landing gear from locking in fully down position. Such assistor 
spring failure, if not corrected, could result in collapse of a main 
landing gear upon landing and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-32-130, dated April 28, 2003, 
which describes procedures for replacement of assistor springs and 
bearings of the main landing gear with new assistor springs and 
bearings, respectively. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued Swedish airworthiness directive No 1-191, dated April 28, 2003 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
    LFV refers to Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-126, dated December 18, 
2002, as a factor in determining the appropriate compliance time for 
accomplishment of the actions required by this AD.

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, LFV has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 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 288 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $750 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$253,440, or $880 per airplane.

[[Page 5794]]

    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 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 2003-NM-25-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes with serial 
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive, and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes with serial numbers 160 through 459 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible collapse of a main landing gear upon landing 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Replacements

    (a) Within the Compliance Times listed in Table 1 of this AD, 
perform the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 
(SB) 340-32-130, dated April 28, 2003.

                       Table 1.--Compliance Times
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                Within--                               If--
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6 months after the effective date of     Saab SB 340-32-126, dated
 this AD.                                 December 18, 2002 has been
                                          performed.
3 months after the effective date of     Saab SB 340-32-126, dated
 this AD.                                 December 18, 2002 has not been
                                          performed.
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    (1) Replace the assistor springs of the main landing gear with 
new assistor springs, per Part 1 of the service bulletin.
    (2) Replace the bearings of the main landing gear with new 
bearings, per Part 2 of the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an assistor spring, part number AIR125132 or AIR131330, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive No 1-191, dated April 28, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2482 Filed 2-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P