[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35235-35237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12820]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-17-AD; Amendment 39-13662; AD 2004-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, that requires 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 AD also requires modification of the MLG separation 
bolt's electrical harness. This action is necessary to prevent failure 
of the MLG to extend during use of the emergency backup system. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 29, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
April 1, 2004 (69 FR 17077). That action proposed to 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, that action also proposed to require 
modification of the MLG separation bolt's electrical harness.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 224 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. The following table shows the estimated cost 
impact for airplanes affected by this AD. The average labor rate is $65 
per work hour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Number of
       For certain model--               Action--         airplanes     Work        Parts        Total cost--
                                                         affected--    hours--     cost--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series   Inspection of the            224           4      (none)  $58,240, or $260
 airplaines.                        harnesses.                                                per airplane.
----------------------------------
SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series   Replacement of the           224          12      $2,100  $645,120, or $2,880
 airplanes.                         harnesses.                                                per airplane.
----------------------------------

[[Page 35236]]

 
SAAB SF340A series airplanes.....  Modification of the           56           2      $1,475  $89,880, or $1,604
                                    harnesses.                                                per airplane.
----------------------------------
SAAB SF340A series airplanes.....  Modification of the           40           1      (none)  $2,600, or $65
                                    harnesses.                                                airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-12-03 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13662. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Accomplish all       According to the
  For airplanes with serial    actions associated      accomplishment
          numbers--                  with--           instructions of--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
004 through 108 inclusive...  Modifying the MLG     Saab SB 340-32-041,
                               separation bolt's     Revision 01, dated
                               electrical harness.   October 9, 1987.
-----------------------------
004 through 078 inclusive...  Modifying the MLG     Saab SB 340-32-028,
                               separation bolt's     Revision 01, dated
                               electrical harness.   November 25, 1986.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following 
Saab service bulletins, as applicable:

                                      Table 2.--Incorporation by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Service bulletin                     Revision level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
340-32-028...............................  01..........................  November 25, 1986.

[[Page 35237]]

 
340-32-041...............................  01..........................  October 9, 1987.
340-32-127...............................  Original....................  December 18, 2002.
340-32-127...............................  01..........................  January 23, 2003.
340-32-128...............................  Original....................  March 28, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft 
Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA).
    For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal--
register/code-- of--federal--regulations/ ibr--locations.html.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directives 1-186, dated December 20, 2002, and 1-189, 
dated April 1, 2003.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 29, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 28, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-12820 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P