[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 63 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17077-17080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7287]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-17-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 inspection of 
the main landing gear's (MLG) separation bolt harness, corrective 
actions if necessary, and replacement of the MLG's separation bolt 
harness. For certain airplanes, this proposal would also require 
modification of the MLG separation bolt's electrical harness. These 
actions are necessary to prevent failure of the MLG to extend during 
use of the emergency backup system. These actions are intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 3, 2004.

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

[[Page 17078]]

17-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-17-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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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-17-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-17-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 
it has received a number of reports of broken wires and corroded 
connectors in the harness for the separation bolt. The cause has been 
attributed to repairs and installations that have not been accomplished 
in accordance with the type design. If the system harness is 
incorrectly installed or repaired, the function of the separation bolt 
will be inhibited, and consequently the emergency system for landing 
gear extension will not be fully available. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the main landing gear to extend 
during use of the emergency backup system.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-32-127, dated December 18, 
2002; and Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003, which describes 
procedures for inspection of the MLG's separation bolt harness, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. The corrective actions involve 
modifications to the separation bolt harness's wires, clamps, convolex 
tube, and shrinkable tube, as applicable. Saab has also issued Service 
Bulletin 340-32-128, dated March 28, 2003, which describes procedures 
for replacement of the separation bolt harness of the MLGs with a new 
improved harness.
    For certain airplanes, Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-128 recommends 
prior or concurrent accomplishment of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-041, Revision 1, dated October 9, 1987. 
The Accomplishment Instructions describe procedures for modification of 
the separation bolt harness. The modification includes the lengthening 
of the existing electrical harness for the explosive bolt with a new, 
improved electrical harness, and the rerouting and securing of the 
existing harness.
    For certain airplanes, Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-041 recommends 
prior or concurrent accomplishment of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-028, Revision 01, dated November 25, 
1986. The Accomplishment Instructions describe procedures for 
modification of the separation bolt harness. The modification includes 
adding a shrink sleeve to the separation bolt squib electrical 
connectors, and re-routing the separation bolt ground wires at the 
wheel well structure.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. LFV 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Swedish 
airworthiness directives 1-186, dated December 20, 2002, and 1-189, 
dated April 1, 2003, to ensure 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, 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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 224 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The following table

[[Page 17079]]

shows the estimated cost impact for airplanes affected by this AD. The 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour.

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                                                      Number of
       For certain model               Action         airplanes    Work    Parts            Total  cost
                                                      affected    hours     cost
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SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B        Inspection of the          224        4    (\1\)  58,240, or $260 per airplane.
 series airplanes.                harnesses.
SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B        Replacement of the         224       12   $2,100  $645,120, or $2,880 per
 series airplanes.                harnesses.                                        airplane.
SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B        Modification of             56        2   $1,475  $89,880, or $1,605 per
 series airplanes.                the harnesses.                                    airplane.
SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B        Modification of             40        1    (\1\)  2,500, or $65 per airplane.
 series airplanes.                the harnesses.
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\1\ None.

    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-17-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 failure of the main landing gear (MLG) to extend 
during use of the emergency backup system, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
an inspection of the MLG's separation bolt harness for broken wires 
and corroded connectors, and any applicable corrective actions by 
doing all of the actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin (SB) 340-32-127, dated December 18, 2002; or 
Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003. Perform the inspection/
corrective actions in accordance with the service bulletin. Perform 
any applicable corrective actions before further flight.

Replacement

    (b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the separation bolt harnesses of the MLGs with new 
separation bolt harnesses in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab SB 340-32-128, dated March 28, 2003.
    (c) The inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD is not 
required for airplanes on which the replacement required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD is done within the compliance time 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Concurrent Service Bulletins

    (d) For Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes: Prior to or 
concurrent with accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD, do the 
actions specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.

                   Table 1.--Prior/Concurrent Actions
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                                    Accomplish all     According to the
    For airplanes with serial     actions associated    accomplishment
            numbers--                   with--         instructions of--
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004 through 108 inclusive.......  Modifying the MLG   Saab SB 340-32-
                                   separation bolt's   041, Revision 01,
                                   electrical          dated October 9,
                                   harness.            1987.
004 through 078 inclusive.......  Modifying the MLG   Saab SB 340-32-
                                   separation bolt's   028, Revision 01,
                                   electrical          dated November
                                   harness.            25, 1986.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 directives 1-186,

[[Page 17080]]

dated December 20, 2002, and 1-189, dated April 1, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7287 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P