[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38224-38226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15690]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0672; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-261-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems 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 
certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 
340B airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of stall 
events during icing conditions which were not accompanied with a prior 
stall warning. This proposed AD would require replacing the stall 
warning computer (SWC) with a new SWC, and modifying the airplane for 
the replacement of the SWC. We are proposing this AD to prevent natural 
stall events when operating in icing conditions, which if not corrected 
may result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 13, 2012.

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, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email 
[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.

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-2012-0672; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-261-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 2011-0219, dated November 11, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A few natural stall events, specifically when operating in icing 
conditions, have been experienced on SAAB 340 series aeroplanes, 
without receiving a prior stall warning. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, a modified stall 
warning system, incorporating improved stall warning logic, has been 
developed.

[[Page 38225]]

    SAAB have issued Service Bulletin (SB) 340-27-098 and SB 340-27-
099, which include instructions to replace the present Stall Warning 
Computer (SWC) with a new SWC, and instructions to activate the new 
SWC. The new system includes stall warning curves optimized for 
operation in icing conditions, which are activated by selection of 
Engine Anti-Ice.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
replacement of the SWC, by installing new SWC Part Number (P/N) 
0020AK6 on aeroplanes with basic wing tip, and installing a new SWC 
P/N 0020AK7 on aeroplanes with extended wing tip, as applicable to 
aeroplane configuration.

Required actions also include modifying the airplane for the 
replacement of the SWC. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued the following service bulletins:
     SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-097, Revision 03, dated April 
19, 2012.
     SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-098, Revision 01, dated April 
13, 2012.
     SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-099, Revision 01, dated April 
13, 2012.
    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

    EASA AD 2011-0219, dated November 11, 2011, prohibits installation 
of certain part numbers following the accomplishment of the replacement 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD. This AD prohibits installation of 
those part numbers as of the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 162 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 78 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $33,000 per product. Where 
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered 
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these 
parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, 
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $6,420,060, or $39,630 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);
    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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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-2012-0672; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-261-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 13, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, except 
airplanes that have SAAB modification number 2650 and/or 2859 
installed.
    (1) Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes serial numbers 004 
through 159 inclusive.
    (2) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, serial numbers 160 through 459 
inclusive.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  This AD does not apply to 
airplanes with serial number 170, 342, 362, 363, 367, 372, 379, 385, 
395, 405, 409, 431, and 455.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of stall events during icing 
conditions which were not accompanied with a prior stall warning. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent natural stall events when operating 
in icing conditions, which if not corrected may result in loss of 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Replacement

    (1) For airplanes with basic wing tip: Within 24 months after 
the effective date of

[[Page 38226]]

this AD, replace all stall warning computers (SWCs) having part 
number (P/N) 0020AK, 0020AK1, 0020AK2, or 0020AK4, with a new SWC P/
N 0020AK6, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-27-098, Revision 01, dated April 13, 2012.
    (2) For airplanes with extended wing tip: Within 24 months after 
the effective date of this AD, replace the SWC P/N 0020AK3 MOD 1 
with a new SWC P/N 0020AK7, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-27-099, Revision 01, dated 
April 13, 2012.

(h) Concurrent Modification

    Before or concurrently with the accomplishment of the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD: Modify the airplane in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-27-097, Revision 03, dated April 19, 2012.

(i) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any SWC 
having P/N 0020AK, 0020AK1, 0020AK2, 0020AK4, or 0020AK3 MOD 1 on 
any airplane.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-097, dated 
September 1, 2011; or SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-097, Revision 01, 
dated September 26, 2011; or SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-097, 
Revision 02, dated October 7, 2011.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it 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. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
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.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0219, dated 
November 11, 2011, and the service information specified in 
paragraphs (l)(1) through (l)(3) of this AD, for related 
information.
    (1) SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-097, Revision 03, dated April 
19, 2012.
    (2) SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-098, Revision 01, dated April 
13, 2012.
    (3) SAAB Service Bulletin 340-27-099, Revision 01, dated April 
13, 2012.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2012.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15690 Filed 6-26-12; 8:45 am]
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