[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 17, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7384-7385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3264]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0035; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-096-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 
340B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing 
angle on the forward engine cowl door * * *.
    In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward 
engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the 
aircraft.
* * * * *

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 19, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., 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 Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; 
telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0035; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-096-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0069, dated April 11, 2008 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing 
angle on the forward engine cowl door NS STA [nacelle station] 203 
and 250.
    In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward 
engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the 
aircraft.
    This AD is issued to require a detailed inspection to find out 
if there are any cracks [or deformations or wear damage] in the 
frames and/or the closing angles. The inspection is on four points 
on each of the forward engine cowl doors.

The corrective action depends on if the crack, deformation, or wear 
damage is within or outside certain defined limits, and includes 
doing a repair either in accordance with the specified service 
information, or contacting Saab for repair instructions and doing 
the repair. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI 
in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 
2008. The actions described in this service information are intended 
to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design 
Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described 
in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and 
determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect 141 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
would take 2 work-

[[Page 7385]]

hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $22,560, or $160 per product.

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 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 this 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

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 AD:
Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2009-0035; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NM-096-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 19, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes, 
serial numbers (S/Ns) 004 thorough 159 inclusive, and Model SAAB 
340B airplanes, S/Ns 160 through 459 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71: Power 
Plant.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    Field experiences have revealed cracks in the frames and closing 
angle on the forward engine cowl door NS STA [nacelle station] 203 
and 250.
    In case of a damaged frame and/or closing angle, the forward 
engine cowl door can loosen during flight and depart from the 
aircraft.
    This AD is issued to require a detailed inspection to find out 
if there are any cracks [or deformations or wear damage] in the 
frames and/or the closing angles. The inspection is on four points 
on each of the forward engine cowl doors.
    The corrective action depends on if the crack, deformation, or 
wear damage is within or outside certain defined limits, and 
includes doing a repair either in accordance with the specified 
service information, or contacting Saab for repair instructions and 
doing the repair.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, do a detailed inspection for cracking, deformation, or wear 
damage of the frame and closing angle on the forward engine cowl 
door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008.
    (2) If any crack, deformation, or wear damage is found during 
the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before 
further flight, do all applicable corrective actions in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-
71-060, dated February 8, 2008.
    (3) Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required 
by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to Saab at the address specified in 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008. Submit the 
report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or 
(f)(3)(ii) of this AD. The report must include the information 
specified in the ``Inspection Result Formula'' form in the service 
bulletin.
    (i) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (ii) If the inspection was accomplished before the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): 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. Send information to ATTN: 
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 
227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which 
the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) 
in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, 
your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0069, dated April 11, 2008, and Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-71-060, dated February 8, 2008, for related 
information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3264 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P