[Federal Register: May 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 94)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 28184-28185]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my05-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD;
Amendment 39-14086; AD 2005-10-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed
inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions,
and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive
detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for
damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary. This
AD is prompted by an additional incident of a windshield wiper blade
separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing this AD to prevent
separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, which could result in
damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088,
dated October 7, 2003, listed in the AD, is approved by the Director of
the Federal Register as of June 21, 2005.
On October 28, 1998 (63 FR 50753, September 23, 1998), the Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Saab
Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, including
Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping,
Sweden.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. 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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20596; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-113-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: The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an AD to supersede
AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 50755, September 23, 1998). The
existing AD applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register
on March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12616), to continue to require repetitive
detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for
damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary. The
proposed AD would also require a detailed inspection of the left and
right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related
investigative actions if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Work Average U.S.-
Action hours labor rate Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (required by AD 98-20- 1 $65 $65, per inspection 170 $11,050, per
11). cycle. inspection cycle.
Extended Inspection (new action).. 1 $65 $65, per inspection 170 $11,050 per
cycle. inspection cycle.
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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
[[Page 28185]]
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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing amendment 39-10778 (63 FR
50755, September 23, 1998) and by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-10-09 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14086. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 (63 FR
50755, September 23, 1998).
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by an additional incident of a
windshield wiper blade separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing
this AD to prevent separation of a wiper arm from the airplane,
which could result in damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.
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.
Requirements of AD 98-20-11
(f) For Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, manufacturer serial
number (S/Ns) 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series
airplanes, manufacturer S/Ns 160 through 399 inclusive: Prior to the
accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours, or within 3 months after
October 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-11), whichever
occurs later, perform a detailed inspection of the windshield wiper
assembly for discrepancies (corrosion; excessive wear; missing,
loose, or broken parts; improper alignment; and insecure
attachment), in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081,
dated November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated
September 14, 1997.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
(1) If no discrepancy is detected during the inspection, repeat
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight
hours until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD is
accomplished.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection, prior
to further flight, replace the windshield wiper assembly with a new
or serviceable windshield wiper assembly, or repair in accordance
with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997,
including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997. Repeat
the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000
flight hours, until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this
AD is accomplished.
New Requirements of This AD
Detailed Inspection of Wiper Arm Assemblies
(g) For all airplanes: Within 6 months after the effective date
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm
assemblies for damage and any applicable corrective/investigative
actions, by doing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7,
2003. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed
800 flight hours. Accomplishment of this inspection terminates the
repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of
this AD.
(h) Airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (g)
of this AD is done within the compliance time specified in paragraph
(f) of this AD are not required to accomplish the inspection
required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) 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
(j) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-193, dated October 8,
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated
November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated
September 14, 1997; and Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated
October 7, 2003; as applicable; to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approves the
incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088,
dated October 7, 2003, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) On October 28, 1998 (63 FR 50753), the Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Saab
Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, including
Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997.
(3) To get copies of the service information, contact Saab
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88,
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review
copies of the service information, contact the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/
federal--register/ code--of--federal--regulations/
ibr--locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9468 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
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