[Federal Register: December 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 230)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 69836-69838]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01de04-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19752; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-170-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for wear of the
brushes and leads and for loose rivets of the direct current (DC)
starter generator, and related investigative/corrective actions if
necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of premature
failures of the DC starter generator prior to scheduled overhaul. We
are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the starter generator,
which could cause a low voltage situation in flight and result in
increased pilot workload and reduced redundancy of the electrical
powered systems.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., 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 Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88,
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh SW., room PL-401, on the
plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number
is FAA-2004-19752; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-
NM-170-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19752;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-170-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza
[[Page 69837]]
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the
ADDRESS section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Saab
Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. The LFV advises that
it has received reports of premature failures of the direct current
(DC) starter generator. Failure of the starter generator could cause a
low voltage situation in flight and result in increased pilot workload
and reduced redundancy of the electrical powered systems.
Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-24-035, dated July 5, 2004.
The service bulletin describes procedures for repetitive visual
inspections for wear of the brushes and leads and for loose rivets of
the DC starter generator. The service bulletin also specifies replacing
the starter generator with a new or serviceable starter generator for
brush wear that is outside certain specified limits or if any loose
rivet is found. The LFV mandated the service information and issued
Swedish airworthiness directive 1-196 R1, effective July 15, 2004, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
The Saab service bulletin references Goodrich Service Information
Letter 23080-03X-24-01, dated July 1, 2004, as an additional source of
service information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in Sweden and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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. We have examined the LFV's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the Saab service information
described previously.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time we may consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 170 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $11,050, per
inspection cycle, or $65 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 that the 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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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
airworthiness directive (AD):
SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2004-19752; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-170-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by January 3, 2005.
Applicability
(b) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes
having serial numbers 004 through 159 inclusive, and model SAAB 340B
series airplanes having serial numbers 160 through 367 inclusive;
certificated in any category; on which Saab Service Bulletin SB 340-
24-026 (Modification 2533) has not been implemented.
Unsafe Condition
(c) This AD was prompted by reports of premature failures of the
direct current (DC) starter generator prior to scheduled overhaul.
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the starter generator,
which could cause a low voltage situation in flight and result in
increased pilot workload and reduced redundancy of the electrical
powered systems.
Compliance
(d) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspections for Wear of the DC Starter Generator Brushes and Leads
(e) For generators overhauled in accordance with Maintenance
Review Board (MRB) Task 243104: Before 800 flight hours since the
last overhaul or within 100 flight hours after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a general visual inspection
for wear of the DC starter generator brushes and leads, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-0035, dated July 5,
2004.
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 normal available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-
light 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.''
Note 2: Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-035, dated July 5, 2004,
references Goodrich Service Information Letter 23080-30X-24-01,
dated July 1, 2004, as an additional source of service information.
(1) If the tops of the brush sets are above the top of the brush
box, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 800 flight
hours.
(2) If the tops of the brush sets are below the top of the brush
box, before further flight, measure the brushes and determine the
remaining amount of brush life remaining, in accordance with the
service bulletin.
[[Page 69838]]
(i) If the brush wear is within the limits specified in the
service bulletin, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed
800 flight hours.
(ii) If the brush wear is outside the limits specified in the
service bulletin, before further flight, replace the starter
generator with a new or serviceable starter generator, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
Inspections for Loose Rivets
(f) For generators overhauled in accordance with MRB task
243104: Before 800 flight hours since last overhaul or within 100
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, perform a general visual inspection of each leading wafer
brush for loose rivets, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin
304-24-035, dated July 5, 2004. Repeat the inspections at intervals
not to exceed 800 flight hours. If any rivet is loose, before
further flight, replace the DC starter generator with a new or
serviceable starter generator, in accordance with the service
bulletin.
MRB Task 243103 or 243101
(g) For generators overhauled or with brush replacement
accomplished in accordance with MRB Task 243103 or 243101, no action
is required by this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(i) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-196 R1, effective July 15,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26495 Filed 11-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M