[Federal Register: June 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 121)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35235-35237]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn04-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-17-AD; Amendment 39-13662; AD 2004-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series
airplanes, that requires inspection of the main landing gear's (MLG)
separation bolt harness, corrective actions if necessary, and
replacement of the MLG's separation bolt harness. For certain
airplanes, this AD also requires modification of the MLG separation
bolt's electrical harness. This action is necessary to prevent failure
of the MLG to extend during use of the emergency backup system. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective July 29, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 29, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and
SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 1, 2004 (69 FR 17077). That action proposed to require inspection
of the main landing gear's (MLG) separation bolt harness, corrective
actions if necessary, and replacement of the MLG's separation bolt
harness. For certain airplanes, that action also proposed to require
modification of the MLG separation bolt's electrical harness.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 224 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD. The following table shows the estimated cost
impact for airplanes affected by this AD. The average labor rate is $65
per work hour.
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Number of
For certain model-- Action-- airplanes Work Parts Total cost--
affected-- hours-- cost--
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SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series Inspection of the 224 4 (none) $58,240, or $260
airplaines. harnesses. per airplane.
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SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series Replacement of the 224 12 $2,100 $645,120, or $2,880
airplanes. harnesses. per airplane.
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[[Page 35236]]
SAAB SF340A series airplanes..... Modification of the 56 2 $1,475 $89,880, or $1,604
harnesses. per airplane.
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SAAB SF340A series airplanes..... Modification of the 40 1 (none) $2,600, or $65
harnesses. airplane.
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The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-12-03 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13662. Docket 2003-NM-17-
AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes with serial
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series
airplanes with serial numbers 160 through 459 inclusive;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) to extend
during use of the emergency backup system, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the MLG's separation bolt harness for broken wires
and corroded connectors, and any applicable corrective actions by
doing all of the actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab
Service Bulletin (SB) 340-32-127, dated December 18, 2002; or
Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003. Perform the inspection/
corrective actions in accordance with the service bulletin. Perform
any applicable corrective actions before further flight.
Replacement
(b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the separation bolt harnesses of the MLGs with new
separation bolt harnesses in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Saab SB 340-32-128, dated March 28, 2003.
(c) The inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD is not
required for airplanes on which the replacement required by
paragraph (b) of this AD is done within the compliance time
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
Concurrent Service Bulletins
(d) For Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes: Prior to or
concurrent with accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD, do the
actions specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.
Table 1.--Prior/Concurrent Actions
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Accomplish all According to the
For airplanes with serial actions associated accomplishment
numbers-- with-- instructions of--
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004 through 108 inclusive... Modifying the MLG Saab SB 340-32-041,
separation bolt's Revision 01, dated
electrical harness. October 9, 1987.
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004 through 078 inclusive... Modifying the MLG Saab SB 340-32-028,
separation bolt's Revision 01, dated
electrical harness. November 25, 1986.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following
Saab service bulletins, as applicable:
Table 2.--Incorporation by Reference
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Service bulletin Revision level Date
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340-32-028............................... 01.......................... November 25, 1986.
[[Page 35237]]
340-32-041............................... 01.......................... October 9, 1987.
340-32-127............................... Original.................... December 18, 2002.
340-32-127............................... 01.......................... January 23, 2003.
340-32-128............................... Original.................... March 28, 2003.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft
Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA).
For information on the availability of this material at NARA,
call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal--
register/code-- of--federal--regulations/ ibr--locations.html.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directives 1-186, dated December 20, 2002, and 1-189,
dated April 1, 2003.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 29, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 28, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-12820 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P