[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3564-3566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1118]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0042; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 
340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes Modified in Accordance With 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or 
SA984GL-D

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive 
(AD) for certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. The first supplemental NPRM would have 
required inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking 
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and 
repair if necessary. The first supplemental NPRM resulted from a report 
of a crack found behind the external adapter plate of the antennae 
during inspection. Similar cracking was found on two additional 
airplanes, and

[[Page 3565]]

extensive corrosion was found on one airplane. This action revises the 
first supplemental NPRM by correcting an STC number, which would expand 
the applicability of the first supplemental NPRM. We are proposing this 
second supplemental NPRM to detect and correct corrosion and cracking 
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae of certain damage-
tolerant structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
and consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by March 7, 
2011.

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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 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: William Griffith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.

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-2010-0042; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-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 because of 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

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (the 
``first supplemental NPRM'') to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an 
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Saab AB, Saab 
Aerosystems Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. That 
first supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 
23, 2010 (75 FR 51696). That first supplemental NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking 
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and 
repair if necessary.

Actions Since First Supplemental NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the first supplemental NPRM, we have determined 
that STC number SA00224WI-D, identified in the applicability of the 
first supplemental NPRM, is an incorrect STC number; the correct number 
is ST00224WI-D. We have corrected this error, which expands the 
airplanes affected by the first supplemental NPRM.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to comment on the first 
supplemental NPRM. We received no comments on that NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    We are proposing this second supplemental NPRM because we evaluated 
all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and 
is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs. The change described above expands the scope of the first 
supplemental NPRM. As a result, we have determined that it is necessary 
to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the 
public to comment on this second supplemental NPRM.

Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    This second supplemental NPRM would retain all the requirements in 
the first supplemental NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 201 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 4 work hours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $68,340, or $340 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 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 affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities

[[Page 3566]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance 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 AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. FAA-2010-0042; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 7, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems airplanes, 
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, that have been modified in accordance with 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or 
SA984GL-D.
    (1) Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes, serial numbers 004 
through 159 inclusive.
    (2) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, serial numbers 160 through 459 
inclusive.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of a crack found behind the 
external adapter plate of the antennae during inspection. Similar 
cracking was found on two additional airplanes, and extensive 
corrosion was found on one airplane. The Federal Aviation 
Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion 
and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the antennae of 
certain damage-tolerant structure, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity and consequent rapid depressurization of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified.

Inspection/Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Remove the external adapter plate of the antennae installation 
and do a general visual inspection of the fuselage surface for 
corrosion and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the 
antennae installation. If any corrosion or cracking is found, repair 
before further flight. If no corrosion or cracking is found, before 
further flight, ensure that proper corrosion protection has been 
applied before reinstalling the adapter plate. Do all the actions 
required by this paragraph in accordance with a method approved by 
the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

    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.''

Reporting Requirement

    (h) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the positive findings of the 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Send the report to 
the Manager, Wichita ACO. The report must contain, at a minimum, the 
inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the 
airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles and flight 
hours on the airplane since installation of the STC. Under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this AD and has 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (3) A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Special Flight Permit

    (i) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, but 
concurrence by the Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, is required prior to 
issuance of the special flight permit.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, 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: William Griffith, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita ACO, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on January 12, 2011.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1118 Filed 1-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P