[Federal Register: April 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 74)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20276-20279]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-278-AD; Amendment 39-14063; AD 2005-08-11]
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 replacement of certain hydraulic hoses with
new hydraulic hoses. This action is necessary to prevent cracking and/
or rupture and subsequent failure of hydraulic hoses. Such failure
could result in loss of hydraulic pressure and fluid quantity, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective May 24, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 24, 2005.
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
[[Page 20277]]
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
March 5, 2004 (69 FR 10387). That action proposed to require
replacement of certain hydraulic hoses with new hydraulic hoses.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Request To Withdraw Proposed Rule
One commenter, an operator, notes that since the publication of the
proposed AD, the manufacturer has revised Section F of the
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the SAAB 340 maintenance review
board (MRB) document to Revision 3. The commenter states that the
revised Airworthiness Limitations Section includes the replacement of
the hydraulic hoses at the life-limits specified in SAAB Service
Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision 01, dated February 20, 2003. The
commenter states that, since the replacement of the hydraulic hoses is
now in the Airworthiness Limitations Section, the proposed AD is not
needed.
The FAA partially agrees. Revision 03 of the SAAB 340 MRB document
was issued in October 2004. However, we are currently reviewing
Revision 04 of the document, which, among other changes, addresses the
replacement times for the hydraulic hoses.
The fact that the proposed revision to the Airworthiness
Limitations Section now includes the replacement of the hydraulic hoses
at the life-limits specified in the proposed AD does not mean that AD
action is not necessary. Revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations
Section that occur after a type certificate has been issued are not
mandatory. An AD is the appropriate vehicle for mandating the changes
to the Airworthiness Limitations Section. Also, the Airworthiness
Limitations Section does not address what actions should be taken for
hydraulic hoses that have already exceeded the 12,000 flight cycle
limit. This AD mandates the replacement of hydraulic hoses that have
already exceeded the 12,000 flight cycle limit. Once we have approved
Revision 04 of the Airworthiness Limitations Section, we may consider
additional rulemaking action to mandate repetitive replacement of the
hydraulic hoses. No change has been made to this final rule in this
regard.
Request To Include a Deferral From Compliance With the Airworthiness
Limitations
One commenter, the manufacturer, notes that the parallel Swedish
airworthiness directive, SAD-170, became effective on December 17,
2001, and had a compliance time of two years. The commenter notes that,
since the expiration of the compliance time for that airworthiness
directive, a revision of Section F, Airworthiness Limitations Section,
of the MRB document was planned to include the hydraulic hoses and
life-limits specified in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision 01.
The commenter notes that (at the time of comment submittal) the
proposed release date of Revision 03 of the MRB document is May 2004.
The commenter states that, due to the absence of an FAA AD, U.S.
operators may not have performed the actions in the service bulletin
and must apply for a deferral from the requirements of the MRB report
so that airplanes are not grounded until the hydraulic hoses have been
replaced. The commenter also states that there is a compliance time
conflict between the FAA AD and the proposed revision to the
Airworthiness Limitations Section. The commenter suggests that it is
necessary to include a statement in the FAA AD to give operators a
deferral from the MRB report requirements until the compliance time in
the FAA AD has expired.
We do not agree with the commenter's request to include a deferral
from the requirements of the MRB report in this final rule. The MRB
report is not mandatory for operators to follow unless the MRB
requirements are required by an AD. Therefore, a deferral from the
requirements of the MRB is not necessary. As stated previously, the
latest revision (Revision 04) of Section F, Airworthiness Limitations
Section, of the MRB document has not yet been FAA-approved. Once we
have approved the document, we may consider additional rulemaking to
require those actions specified in the document that relate to this AD.
Therefore, at this time, no compliance time conflict exists between our
AD and the Airworthiness Limitations Section, and no deferral is
necessary. No change has been made to this final rule in this regard.
Request for Credit for Accomplishment of Original Issue of Service
Bulletin
One commenter requests that, if an AD is issued, the original issue
of SAAB Service Bulletin 340-29-022, dated December 14, 2001, be
considered as an additional acceptable source of service information.
The commenter states that considering the original issue of the service
bulletin as an additional acceptable source of service information
would save both operators and the FAA time and effort in requesting and
addressing AMOCs. The commenter states that its fleet of SAAB 340B
airplanes was modified per the original issue of the service bulletin.
The commenter also states that it did not use the procedures for
identification of the replacement hydraulic hoses that are included in
the original issue and Revision 1 of the service bulletin. Instead, the
commenter used the procedures mandated in section 45.14 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 45.14), ``Identification of critical
components.'' The commenter notes that it did not replace flap actuator
hoses because those hoses had never failed. The commenter states that
it used airplane cycles at the time of replacement of each hydraulic
hose to start tracking the 12,000-flight-cycle life-limit for each
hose.
We agree with the commenter's request. A new paragraph (b) has been
included in this final rule and the subsequent paragraphs reidentified
accordingly. The new paragraph (b) states that accomplishment of the
original issue of SAAB Service Bulletin 340-29-022, dated December 14,
2001, is an additional appropriate source of service information. The
paragraph also states that identifying newly installed hydraulic hoses
by using the procedures mandated in section 45.14 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 45.14), ``Identification of critical
components,'' is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of the
AD.
Request To Change References to Service Information
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the ``Explanation of
Relevant Service Information'' paragraph in the proposed AD be changed
to include the statement ``Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340-29-022,
Revision 01, dated February 20, 2003, and will soon issue revision 2.''
The commenter also requests that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be
changed to ``* * *Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin
340-29-022, Revision 01, dated February 20, 2003, or later revision.''
The commenter states that Revision 02 of SAAB Service Bulletin 340-29-
022 will be released soon, but the exact release date has not been
decided. Revision 02 will include
[[Page 20278]]
two new hydraulic hose part numbers that can be ordered and used as
replacement parts. (Revision 01 of the service bulletin is referenced
in the proposed AD for accomplishment of the actions.)
Since the issuance of the proposed AD Saab has issued Service
Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision 02, dated May 5, 2004. We agree with the
intent of the commenter's requests to reference Revision 02 of the
service bulletin in this AD. We have revised paragraph (a) of this AD
to include Revision 02 of the service bulletin as an additional
appropriate source of service information. The ``Explanation of
Relevant Service Information'' paragraph is not restated in this AD, so
no change to that paragraph is possible in this AD.
We cannot use the phrase, ``or later revision,'' in an AD when
referring to the service document because doing so violates Office of
the Federal Register (OFR) regulations for approval of materials
``incorporated by reference'' in rules. In general terms, we are
required by these OFR regulations to either publish the service
document contents as part of the actual AD language; or submit the
service document to the OFR for approval as ``referenced'' material, in
which case we may only refer to such material in the text of an AD. The
AD may refer to the service document only if the OFR approved it for
``incorporation by reference.'' To allow operators to use later
revisions of the referenced document (issued after publication of the
AD), either we must revise the AD to reference specific later
revisions, or operators must request approval to use later revisions as
an AMOC with this AD under the provisions of paragraph (c) of this AD.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously.
We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 308 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,600 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $592,900, or $1,925 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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:
2005-08-11 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14063. Docket 2003-NM-278-
AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes having serial
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive, and SAAB 340B series airplanes
having serial numbers 160 through 459 inclusive; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent cracking and/or rupture and subsequent failure of
hydraulic hoses, which could result in loss of hydraulic pressure
and fluid quantity, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
Replacement of Hydraulic Hoses
(a) Replace the hydraulic hoses leading to the actuators of the
flaps, main landing gear, nose landing gear (NLG), NLG downlock, and
NLG wheel well, with new hydraulic hoses by doing all of the actions
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-29-
022, Revision 01, dated February 20, 2003; or Saab Service Bulletin
340-29-022, Revision 02, dated May 5, 2004. Do the replacement at
the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as
applicable.
(1) For airplanes on which affected hydraulic hoses have
accumulated 12,000 or more total flight cycles since new: Within the
next 5,000 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever is first.
(2) For airplanes on which affected hydraulic hoses have
accumulated less than 12,000 total flight cycles since new: Before
the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles or within 24 months
after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.
Actions Accomplished Previously
(b) Accomplishment of the specified replacement before the
effective date of this AD per Saab Service Bulletin 340-29-022,
dated December 14, 2001; or identification of newly installed hoses
using the procedures in section 45.14 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 45.14), ``Identification of critical
components''; are considered acceptable for compliance with the
applicable requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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
(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-29-022, Revision
01, dated February 20, 2003; or Saab Service Bulletin 340-29-022,
Revision 02, dated May 5, 2004. 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
[[Page 20279]]
Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml x ]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 directive 1-170, dated December 17, 2001.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 24, 2005.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7686 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
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