[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 44 (Friday, March 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10387-10389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-278-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 replacement of 
certain hydraulic hoses with new hydraulic hoses. This action is 
necessary to prevent cracking and/or rupture and subsequent failure of 
hydraulic hoses. Such failure could result in loss of hydraulic 
pressure and fluid quantity, and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-278-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-278-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: 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:
     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

[[Page 10388]]

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-278-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-278-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 SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises 
that a large number of hydraulic hoses have failed due to fatigue 
caused by exposure of the hoses to both high pressure and bending 
cycles. Such failure could result in loss of hydraulic pressure and 
fluid quantity, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision 01, dated 
February 20, 2003, which describes procedures for removal of the 
existing hydraulic hoses leading to the actuators for the flaps, main 
landing gear (MLG), nose landing gear (NLG), NLG wheel well, and NLG 
downlock; identification of the new hydraulic hoses, and subsequent 
installation (including torquing the coupling nuts). Identification of 
new hydraulic hoses includes using a Vibro-pen to engrave the year, 
month, and date of the hose installation, and the serial number of the 
airplane on which the hose was installed. New hydraulic hoses installed 
in the flap actuators and MLG actuators must also be identified with 
the letters RF for the right-side flap actuator, LF for the left-side 
actuator, RG for the right-side MLG actuator, and LG for the left-side 
MLG actuator. 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 1-170, dated December 17, 2001, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.

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 AD

    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

    We estimate that 308 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement of the hydraulic hoses, 
and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost approximately $1,600 per airplane. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed replacement of the hydraulic hoses on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $592,900, or $1,925 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 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-278-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.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking and/or rupture and subsequent failure of 
hydraulic hoses, which could result in loss of hydraulic pressure 
and fluid quantity, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

[[Page 10389]]

Replacement of Hydraulic Hoses

    (a) Replace the hydraulic hoses leading to the actuators of the 
flaps, main landing gear (MLG), nose landing gear (NLG), NLG 
downlock, and NLG wheel well, with new hydraulic hoses by doing all 
of the actions per the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision 01, dated February 20, 2003. Do the 
replacement at the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes on which affected hydraulic hoses have 
accumulated 12,000 or more total flight cycles since new: Within the 
next 5,000 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever is first.
    (2) For airplanes on which affected hydraulic hoses have 
accumulated less than 12,000 total flight cycles since new: Before 
the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles or within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 1-170, dated December 17, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 24, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4940 Filed 3-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P