[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12616-12618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5013]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
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 supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 
340B series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive 
detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant 
conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also 
would require a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm 
assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if 
necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by an additional incident of a 
windshield wiper blade separating from the wiper arm. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, which 
could result in damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://.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.
     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-2005-20596; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-113-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-2005-20596; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-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 received 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

    On September 14, 1998, we issued AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 
(63 FR 50755, September 23, 1998), for certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A 
and SAAB 340B series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive detailed 
visual inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant 
conditions, and corrective actions, if necessary. That AD was prompted 
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a 
foreign civil airworthiness authority. We issued that AD to prevent 
failure of the windshield wiper assembly, which could result in loss of 
visibility; or damage to the propeller(s), possible penetration of the 
fuselage skin, and consequent depressurization of the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 98-20-11, the Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is 
the airworthiness authority for Sweden, has notified us that the unsafe 
condition of AD 98-11-20 may still exist on certain Saab Model SAAB 
SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that an 
additional incident of a windshield wiper blade separating from the 
wiper arm has occurred. The LFV advises that an extended inspection is 
needed to adequately address this unsafe condition. A wiper arm 
separating from the airplane, if not prevented, could result in damage 
to the fuselage skin and propeller.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 2003. 
The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the left and 
right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and doing corrective/related 
investigative actions if necessary. The inspection includes the 
following:
     Inspecting the wiper arms for dents, warpage, or other 
deformities.

[[Page 12617]]

     Inspecting all riveted, brazed, or bonded assemblies for 
cracks, corrosion, proper alignment, and secure attachment.
     Ensuring that the arm tip is not loose.
     Removing the wiper arm assembly and inspecting the 
attachment area and attachment parts of the wiper arms for cracks, 
corrosion, stripped threads, and other damage.
    The corrective/related investigative actions include the following:
     For wiper arm assemblies having part number (P/N) 2314M22-
7 or -9, repairing the wiper arm if any rivet is missing, damaged, or 
corroded; or if a wiper arm tip is loose. The repair includes replacing 
a loose arm tip or rivets; inspecting the arm channel holes for cracks, 
damage, elongation, and any abnormalities; and measuring the arm 
channel holes and replacing the arm if necessary.
     Replacing a wiper arm if any of the following conditions 
are found: cracks or corrosion in the head of the pivot rivet; cracks 
or stripped threads in the hub area; damage to the serrations of the 
adjustment sleeve and hub; or cracks or corrosion in the attachment of 
the fluid dispensing tube if applicable.
     Replacing the retaining bolt and any other damaged 
components if the bolt is cracked or thread damage is found.
    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-
193, dated October 8, 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. 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 AD action is 
necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 98-20-11. This proposed AD 
would retain the requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD 
would also require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Swedish Airworthiness 
Directive.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Swedish Airworthiness Directive

    Although Swedish airworthiness directive 1-193 does not 
specifically cite a repetitive inspection interval for the extended 
detailed inspection, Swedish airworthiness directive 1-193 references 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, which recommends changing the 
inspection interval of Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Task No. 304302 
from 4,000 flight hours to 800 flight hours. The service bulletin also 
recommends moving MRB Task No. 304302 from section B to section F, 
Airworthiness Limitations. We have determined that the unsafe condition 
of this proposed AD is better addressed by mandating repetitive 
inspections in this proposed AD, rather than by revising the 
Limitations sections of the MRB. Therefore, this proposed AD would 
require repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 800 flight 
hours.

Change to Existing AD

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 98-20-11. 
Since AD 98-20-11 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and 
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding 
paragraph identifiers have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in 
the following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Corresponding requirement in
       Requirement in AD  98-20-11               this proposed AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paragraph (a)...........................  Paragraph (f).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have also changed all references to any ``detailed visual 
inspection'' in AD 98-20-11 to ``detailed inspection'' in this proposed 
AD and added a note to clarify the definition of a detailed inspection.

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 U.S.-
              Action                  Work hours     Average labor    Cost per airplane      registered                      Fleet cost
                                                     rate per hour                            airplanes
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Inspection (required by AD 98-20-                1             $65  $65, per inspection               170  $11,050, per inspection cycle.
 11).                                                                cycle.
Extended Inspection (new proposed                1              65  $65, per inspection               170  $11,050 per inspection cycle.
 action).                                                            cycle.
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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:

[[Page 12618]]

    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 removing amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 
50755, September 23, 1998) and adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-113-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by April 14, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 
50755, September 23, 1998).
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A and 
SAAB 340B series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 
2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by an additional incident of a 
windshield wiper blade separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, 
which could result in damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.
    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.
    Requirements of AD 98-20-11:
    (f) For Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, manufacturer serial 
number (S/Ns) 004 through 159 inclusive and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, manufacturer S/Ns 160 through 399 inclusive: Prior to the 
accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours, or within 3 months after 
October 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-11), whichever 
occurs later, perform a detailed inspection of the windshield wiper 
assembly for discrepancies (corrosion; excessive wear; missing, 
loose, or broken parts; improper alignment; and insecure 
attachment), in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, 
dated November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated 
September 14, 1997.

    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.''

    (1) If no discrepancy is detected during the inspection, repeat 
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight 
hours until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD is 
accomplished.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection, prior 
to further flight, replace the windshield wiper assembly with a new 
or serviceable windshield wiper assembly, or repair in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, 
including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997. Repeat 
the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 
flight hours, until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD is accomplished.
    New Requirements of This AD:

Detailed Inspection of Wiper Arm Assemblies

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm 
assemblies for damage and any applicable corrective/investigative 
actions, by doing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 
2003. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
800 flight hours. Accomplishment of this inspection terminates the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of 
this AD.
    (h) Airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD is done within the compliance time specified in paragraph 
(f) of this AD are not required to accomplish the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

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 in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-193, dated October 8, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5013 Filed 3-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P