[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5064-5066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1793]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 20 / Tuesday, February 1, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 5064]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20244; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 2000 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require a one-time inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on 
a main relay of the electrical power generator, and corrective action 
if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by disconnection of an 
electrical power generator during an inspection flight, which was 
caused by a broken terminal stud on the main relay. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent a broken terminal stud on the main relay of an 
electrical power generator, which could reduce the redundancy of 
electrical power systems, result in increased pilot workload, and 
contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 3, 2005.

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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
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. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-20244; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-204-AD.

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

    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-2005-20244; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-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 can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or 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 located on the plaza level of 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.

Discussion

    The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Saab 
Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that, during an 
inspection flight, when electrical loads from one electrical power 
generator were transferred to a second generator, the second generator 
disconnected and the airplane was temporarily powered by battery only. 
Investigation revealed a broken terminal stud on the main generator 
relay, probably caused by excessive torque when the relay was 
installed. This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the 
redundancy of electrical power systems, result in increased pilot 
workload, and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-24-017, dated April 3, 2003. 
The service bulletin describes procedures for performing a one-time 
inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on a main relay of the 
electrical power generator, and corrective action if necessary. The 
procedures include installing the nuts and washers on the relay 
terminals using a torque wrench to test the strength of the terminals. 
If any broken terminal is found, the corrective action is replacing the 
relay with a new relay. Accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. The LFV mandated the service information and issued Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-190, dated April 4, 2003, to ensure the 
continued

[[Page 5065]]

airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 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 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    The Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service 
information describe procedures for submitting certain inspection 
results to the manufacturer. This proposed AD would not require that 
action.
    The service bulletin specifies to inspect the terminal studs, but 
does not specify what method must be used for this inspection. We have 
determined that the procedures in the service bulletin should be 
described as a ``general visual inspection.'' Note 1 has been included 
in this AD to define this type of inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $975, or $325 
per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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.

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-2005-20244; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-204-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by March 3, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability:

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, serial numbers -004 through -063 
inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by disconnection of an electrical power 
generator during an inspection flight, which was caused by a broken 
terminal stud on the main relay. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
broken terminal stud on the main relay of an electrical power 
generator, which could reduce the redundancy of electrical power 
systems, result in increased pilot workload, and contribute to 
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 Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time general visual inspection to detect a broken terminal 
stud on a main relay of the electrical power generator, and perform 
corrective actions as applicable, by doing all of the actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-24-017, 
dated April 3, 2003. Although the service bulletin specifies to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

Related Information

    (h) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-190, dated April 4, 2003, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 5066]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1793 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P