[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3564-3566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1118]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0042; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB
340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes Modified in Accordance With
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or
SA984GL-D
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive
(AD) for certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. The first supplemental NPRM would have
required inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and
repair if necessary. The first supplemental NPRM resulted from a report
of a crack found behind the external adapter plate of the antennae
during inspection. Similar cracking was found on two additional
airplanes, and
[[Page 3565]]
extensive corrosion was found on one airplane. This action revises the
first supplemental NPRM by correcting an STC number, which would expand
the applicability of the first supplemental NPRM. We are proposing this
second supplemental NPRM to detect and correct corrosion and cracking
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae of certain damage-
tolerant structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity
and consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by March 7,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Griffith, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0042;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (the
``first supplemental NPRM'') to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Saab AB, Saab
Aerosystems Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. That
first supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August
23, 2010 (75 FR 51696). That first supplemental NPRM proposed to
require inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking
behind the external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and
repair if necessary.
Actions Since First Supplemental NPRM Was Issued
Since we issued the first supplemental NPRM, we have determined
that STC number SA00224WI-D, identified in the applicability of the
first supplemental NPRM, is an incorrect STC number; the correct number
is ST00224WI-D. We have corrected this error, which expands the
airplanes affected by the first supplemental NPRM.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to comment on the first
supplemental NPRM. We received no comments on that NPRM or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM
We are proposing this second supplemental NPRM because we evaluated
all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and
is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type
designs. The change described above expands the scope of the first
supplemental NPRM. As a result, we have determined that it is necessary
to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the
public to comment on this second supplemental NPRM.
Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM
This second supplemental NPRM would retain all the requirements in
the first supplemental NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 201 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 4 work hours
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators
is $68,340, or $340 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 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 this 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 affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities
[[Page 3566]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 AD:
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. FAA-2010-0042; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by March 7, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems airplanes,
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and
(c)(2) of this AD, that have been modified in accordance with
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or
SA984GL-D.
(1) Model SAAB 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes, serial numbers 004
through 159 inclusive.
(2) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, serial numbers 160 through 459
inclusive.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report of a crack found behind the
external adapter plate of the antennae during inspection. Similar
cracking was found on two additional airplanes, and extensive
corrosion was found on one airplane. The Federal Aviation
Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion
and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the antennae of
certain damage-tolerant structure, which could result in reduced
structural integrity and consequent rapid depressurization of the
airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified.
Inspection/Corrective Actions
(g) Within 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD: Remove the external adapter plate of the antennae installation
and do a general visual inspection of the fuselage surface for
corrosion and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the
antennae installation. If any corrosion or cracking is found, repair
before further flight. If no corrosion or cracking is found, before
further flight, ensure that proper corrosion protection has been
applied before reinstalling the adapter plate. Do all the actions
required by this paragraph in accordance with a method approved by
the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
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.''
Reporting Requirement
(h) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or
(h)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the positive findings of the
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Send the report to
the Manager, Wichita ACO. The report must contain, at a minimum, the
inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the
airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles and flight
hours on the airplane since installation of the STC. Under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.),
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the
information collection requirements contained in this AD and has
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
(3) A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
Special Flight Permit
(i) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, but
concurrence by the Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, is required prior to
issuance of the special flight permit.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: William Griffith,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita ACO,
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this
AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington on January 12, 2011.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1118 Filed 1-19-11; 8:45 am]
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