[Federal Register: November 18, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 222)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 69491-69493]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18no02-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-200-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 340B Series Airplanes
Equipped With Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 340B
series airplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand propellers. This
proposal would require a one-time inspection of two remote controlled
circuit breakers (RCCB), located in specific electrical compartments,
to identify the part number, and replacement of the RCCBs with new
RCCBs having a different part number if necessary. This action is
necessary to ensure removal of 35-ampere (amp) RCCBs on a 50-amp
electrical circuit. Incorrect RCCBs on an electrical circuit could
result in erroneous tripping of the RCCBs (even though an overload
condition does not exist), premature failure of the RCCBs, loss of
power to the feather pump system, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 18, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-200-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-200-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2139; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-200-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
[[Page 69492]]
ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-200-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Saab Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that these
airplanes were manufactured with 50-ampere (amp) remote controlled
circuit breakers (RCCB) installed. However, the illustrated parts
catalog incorrectly references a 35-amp RCCB, which is specific to
Dowty propellers. A 35-amp RCCB on a 50-amp electrical circuit, if not
corrected, could result in erroneous tripping of the RCCBs (even though
an overload condition does not exist), premature failure of the RCCBs,
loss of power to the feather pump system, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-61-038, dated January 30,
2002, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection to identify
the part number of the RCCB located in electrical compartment 407VU and
the RCCB located in electrical compartment 408VU, and replacement of
RCCBs with certain part numbers with new RCCBs having different part
numbers if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory
and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-172, dated January 31,
2002, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes
in Sweden.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is 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. The FAA has examined the findings of the
LFV, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 251 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $15,060 or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 2002-NM-200-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series airplanes equipped with
Hamilton Sundstrand propellers, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent erroneous tripping of the remote controlled circuit
breakers (RCCB) (even though an overload condition does not exist),
premature failure of the RCCBs, loss of power to the feather pump
system, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
Inspection and Replacement, If Necessary
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection of RCCB 29KFC located in electrical
compartment 407VU, and RCCB 30KFC located in electrical compartment
408VU, to identify the part number, per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-61-038, dated January 30,
2002.
(1) If both RCCBs are identified as part number (P/N) M83383-01-
09, no further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If any RCCB is identified as P/N M83383-02-07, prior to
further flight, replace the RCCB with an RCCB having P/N M83383-01-
09, per the service bulletin.
[[Page 69493]]
Part Installation
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an RCCB, P/N M83383-02-07, in electrical compartment 407VU or
electrical compartment 408VU, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-172, dated January 31, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29116 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
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