[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22007-22009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9279]
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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;
Amendment 39-16664; AD 2011-09-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD requires inspecting the fuselage surface
for corrosion and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the
antennae installation, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by
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. We are 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.
DATES: This AD is effective May 25, 2011.
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
[[Page 22008]]
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
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:
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) (the
``second supplemental NPRM'') to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to the specified
products. That second SNPRM was published in the Federal Register on
January 20, 2011 (76 FR 3564). That second SNPRM proposed to require
inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking behind the
external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and repair if
necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of the supplemental NPRM to
identify model designations as published in the most recent type
certificate data sheet for the affected models.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described
previously. We also determined that this change will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 201 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The inspection will 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 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
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),
(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 under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2011-09-02 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-16664; Docket No.
FAA-2010-0042; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective May 25, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to 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 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 was prompted by 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. We are 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.''
[[Page 22009]]
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.
(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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the
manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person
identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
(2) 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.
Related Information
(k) For more information about this AD, contact 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) None.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9279 Filed 4-19-11; 8:45 am]
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