[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69505-69506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26191]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2004 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 69505]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-182-AD; Amendment 39-13882; AD 2004-24-06]
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. This AD requires replacement of the retract actuator bracket 
attachment bolt (RABAB) of the main landing gear (MLG) with a new 
RABAB; reidentification of the MLG shock strut; an inspection for 
corrosion, fretting, or other damage of certain RABABs; and applicable 
corrective actions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the RABAB, which could result in loosening of the 
actuator bracket and consequent failure of the MLG to retract, with 
considerable damage to other landing gear parts, including the MLG 
trunnion fitting. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 4, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 4, 2005.

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 as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on September 28, 
2004 (69 FR 57892). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
retract actuator bracket attachment bolt (RABAB) of the main landing 
gear (MLG) with a new RABAB; reidentification of the MLG shock strut; 
an inspection for corrosion, fretting, or other damage of any RABAB; 
and applicable corrective actions.

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

    We estimate that approximately 281 airplanes of U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied at no 
cost by the manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $127,855, or $455 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:

[[Page 69506]]

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:

2004-24-067 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB: Amendment 39-13882. Docket 2002-NM-
182-AD.

Applicability

    Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 004 
through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, S/Ns 
160 through 459 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Compliance

    Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the retract actuator bracket attachment 
bolt (RABAB), which could result in loosening of the retract 
actuator bracket and consequent failure of the main landing gear 
(MLG) to retract, with considerable damage to other landing gear 
parts, including the MLG trunnion fitting, accomplish the following:

Replacement/Reidentification of RABAB

    (a) For airplanes not previously modified in accordance with 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-124, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2002: 
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, perform the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-131, dated June 29, 2004, including Attachments 1 
and 2, both dated January 2002, and Attachments 3 and 4, both dated 
April 2002.

    Note 1: APPH Ltd. Service Bulletins AIR83022-32-28 and AIR83064-
32-08, both dated January 2002, comprising Attachments 1 and 2; and 
Service Bulletins AIR83022-32-29 and AIR83064-32-09, both dated 
April 2002, comprising Attachments 3 and 4; are incorporated into 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-131 as additional sources of service 
information.

    (1) Replace the existing RABAB with a new RABAB.
    (2) Re-identify the MLG shock strut.

Inspection of RABAB

    (b) For airplanes previously modified in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-32-124, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2002: Within 
6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time 
detailed inspection for corrosion, fretting, or other damage of any 
RABAB replaced in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-124, 
Revision 01; and applicable corrective actions; in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-131, 
dated June 29, 2004, including Attachments 1 and 2, both dated 
January 2002, and Attachments 3 and 4, both dated April 2002.

    Note 2: 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 
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
RABAB, part number (P/N) AIR83022-5 through -18 inclusive, or P/N 
AIR83064 (any suffix), on any airplane.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits are not allowed as specified in 
section 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199).

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-131, dated June 29, 2004; including Attachments 1 
and 2, both dated January 2002, and Attachments 3 and 4, both dated 
April 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-195, effective July 6, 2004.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 4, 2005.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26191 Filed 11-29-04; 8:45 am]
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