[Federal Register: February 1, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 20)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5064-5066]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe05-14]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 5064]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20244; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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 2000 series airplanes. This proposed AD
would require a one-time inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on
a main relay of the electrical power generator, and corrective action
if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by disconnection of an
electrical power generator during an inspection flight, which was
caused by a broken terminal stud on the main relay. We are proposing
this AD to prevent a broken terminal stud on the main relay of an
electrical power generator, which could reduce the redundancy of
electrical power systems, result in increased pilot workload, and
contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 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 Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20244; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-204-AD.
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:
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-2005-20244;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-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.
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 level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES 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 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that, during an
inspection flight, when electrical loads from one electrical power
generator were transferred to a second generator, the second generator
disconnected and the airplane was temporarily powered by battery only.
Investigation revealed a broken terminal stud on the main generator
relay, probably caused by excessive torque when the relay was
installed. This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the
redundancy of electrical power systems, result in increased pilot
workload, and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-24-017, dated April 3, 2003.
The service bulletin describes procedures for performing a one-time
inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on a main relay of the
electrical power generator, and corrective action if necessary. The
procedures include installing the nuts and washers on the relay
terminals using a torque wrench to test the strength of the terminals.
If any broken terminal is found, the corrective action is replacing the
relay with a new relay. Accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition. The LFV mandated the service information and issued Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-190, dated April 4, 2003, to ensure the
continued
[[Page 5065]]
airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is 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 service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
The Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service
information describe procedures for submitting certain inspection
results to the manufacturer. This proposed AD would not require that
action.
The service bulletin specifies to inspect the terminal studs, but
does not specify what method must be used for this inspection. We have
determined that the procedures in the service bulletin should be
described as a ``general visual inspection.'' Note 1 has been included
in this AD to define this type of inspection.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 5 work hours 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 $975, or $325
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 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-2005-20244; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-204-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by March 3, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability:
(c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, serial numbers -004 through -063
inclusive.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by disconnection of an electrical power
generator during an inspection flight, which was caused by a broken
terminal stud on the main relay. We are issuing this AD to prevent a
broken terminal stud on the main relay of an electrical power
generator, which could reduce the redundancy of electrical power
systems, result in increased pilot workload, and contribute to
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Compliance:
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time general visual inspection to detect a broken terminal
stud on a main relay of the electrical power generator, and perform
corrective actions as applicable, by doing all of the actions in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-24-017,
dated April 3, 2003. Although the service bulletin specifies to
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
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.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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
(h) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-190, dated April 4, 2003,
also addresses the subject of this AD.
[[Page 5066]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1793 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P