[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44587-44589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16678]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-319-AD; Amendment 39-13744; AD 2004-15-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

[[Page 44588]]

applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, that 
requires replacing certain power wires with a modification harness; and 
testing the new harness installation. These actions are necessary to 
prevent a momentary loss of data on the left-hand electronic flight 
instrumentation system (LH EFIS) screens, which could lead to the 
pilot's loss of situational awareness during initial climb or approach/
landing, and possibly result in reduced control of the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 31, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 31, 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 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 
(69 FR 17072). That action proposed to require replacing certain power 
wires with a modification harness; and testing the new harness 
installation.

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 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 30 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$5,500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $89,400, or $7,450 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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:

2004-15-10 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13744. Docket 2002-NM-319-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, manufacturer 
serial number -004 through -028 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a momentary loss of data on the left-hand electronic 
flight instrumentation system (LH EFIS) screens, which could lead to 
the pilot's loss of situational awareness during initial climb or 
approach/landing, and possibly result in reduced control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement and Test

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace certain power wires with a modification harness, and test 
the harness installation; by doing all of the actions in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-29-021, Revision 02, dated October 2, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-29-021, Revision 02, dated October 2, 2002. 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 directive 1-179, dated October 2, 2002.


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Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 31, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 9, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16678 Filed 7-26-04; 8:45 am]
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