[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53846-53848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20121]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19001; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-98-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection of the elevator and aileron 
trim-tab fittings, and related investigative/corrective actions if 
necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of improperly 
installed rivets in the retainers that hold the elevator trim-tab 
bearings. We are proposing this AD to prevent the elevator and aileron 
trim-tab bearings from coming loose, which could result in excessive 
play in the elevator and aileron trim systems, and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19001; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-98-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the Nassif Building at the DOT street 
address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

[[Page 53847]]

Discussion

    The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Saab 
Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that 
it has received reports from operators regarding improperly installed 
rivets in the retainers located in the elevator trim-tab fittings. The 
retainers hold the elevator trim-tab bearings. Improperly installed 
rivets, if not corrected, could result in loose elevator trim-tab 
bearings, which could result in excessive play in the elevator control 
system, severe oscillations, and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.
    The aileron trim-tab system is similar in design to the elevator 
trim-tab system. The aileron trim-tabs may be subject to a similar 
unsafe condition. If the rivets that hold the retainers for the aileron 
trim-tab bearings are improperly installed, the aileron trim-tab 
bearing could become loose. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in excessive play in the aileron control system, severe 
oscillations, and reduced controllability of the airplane. Because of 
the similar design, the LFV advises that both the elevator and aileron 
trim-tab fittings be inspected.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-51-025, Revision 01, dated 
October 21, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for visual 
inspections of the elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings to determine 
if riveted, greasable bearings are installed, and related investigative 
and corrective actions. The related investigative and corrective 
actions include:
     Inspecting for damage and acceptance limits (as specified 
in the Saab 340 Structural Repair Manual (SRM) 51-40-20, paragraph 
``Solid Rivet Inspection'') the rivets and retainers that attach the 
elevator and aileron trim-tabs to the airplane structure.
     Replacing damaged rivets with new rivets and installing 
new bearings.
     Inspecting the elevator and aileron trim mechanical 
installations (e.g., pushrods and levers) for damage (as specified in 
the SRM) and loose fasteners.
     Replacing damaged parts and tightening loose fasteners.
     Inspecting the axial play of the elevator trim-tab 
bearings.
     Inspecting the axial play of the aileron trim-tab bearings 
and the movement of the third hinge.
     Doing a backlash inspection after all of the necessary 
corrective actions have been done.
     Reporting to the manufacturer any major damage found to 
any retainer.
     Marking the lower right corner of each elevator and 
aileron trim-tab identification plate with three in-line punch marks.
    We have determined that accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information will adequately address the unsafe condition. The 
LFV mandated the service information and issued Swedish airworthiness 
directive 1-194, dated October 14, 2003, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. According to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LFV has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined the LFV's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
inspections of the elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings, and related 
investigative/corrective actions if necessary. The proposed AD would 
require you to use the service information described previously to 
perform these actions, except as discussed under ``Differences Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service 
bulletin describe procedures for reporting certain damage to the 
manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that action.
    The service bulletin specifies to do a ``visual inspection'' to 
determine if riveted greasable bearings are installed on the elevator 
and aileron trim-tab fittings. The service bulletin also specifies to 
do an ``inspection'' for damage to the rivets that attach the retainers 
to the elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings. This proposed AD would 
require ``detailed inspections'' for these actions. We have included 
the definition for a detailed inspection in a note in this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                        Number of
                                               Average                                    U.S.-
           Action              Work hours    labor rate       Parts       Cost per     registered    Fleet cost
                                              per hour                    airplane        hour
                                                                                        airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..................           16           $65          None        $1,040           170      $176,800
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Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 53848]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2004-19001; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-98-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by October 4, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A series 
airplanes, line numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes, line numbers 160 through 459 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of improperly installed 
rivets in the retainers located in the elevator trim-tab fittings. 
The retainers hold the trim-tab bearings. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the elevator and aileron trim-tab bearings from coming 
loose, which could result in excessive play in the elevator and 
aileron trim systems, and reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 800 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever is first: Do a detailed inspection of the 
elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings, and all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, by accomplishing all of the 
actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 
340-51-025, Revision 01, dated October 21, 2003. Any related 
investigative and corrective actions must be done before further 
flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an elevator or aileron trim-tab fitting unless it 
has been inspected, and any applicable corrective actions have been 
done, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

Reporting Not Required

    (h) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-194, dated October 14, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 25, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-20121 Filed 9-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P