Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64482-64483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24520]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19001; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-98-AD; 
Amendment 39-13842; AD 2004-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This AD 
requires an inspection of the elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings, 
and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD is 
prompted by reports of improperly installed rivets in the retainers 
that hold the elevator trim-tab bearings. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the elevator and aileron trim-tab bearings from coming loose, 
which could result in excessive play in the elevator and aileron trim 
systems, and reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 10, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
December 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, 
Sweden. You can examine this information 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.
    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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with an AD for certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series 
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on September 
3, 2004 (69 FR 53846), proposed to require an inspection of the 
elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings, and related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data 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 U.S.-
                      Action                           Work hours     Average labor        Parts           Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                                      rate per hour                        airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................................              16              $65             None           $1,040              170         $176,800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-22-14 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13842. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19001; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-98-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 10, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

[[Page 64483]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A series 
airplanes, line numbers 004 through 159 inclusive; and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes, line numbers 160 through 459 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of improperly installed 
rivets in the retainers located in the elevator trim-tab fittings. 
The retainers hold the trim-tab bearings. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the elevator and aileron trim-tab bearings from coming 
loose, which could result in excessive play in the elevator and 
aileron trim systems, and 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 Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 800 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever is first: Do a detailed inspection of the 
elevator and aileron trim-tab fittings, and all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, by accomplishing all of the 
actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 
340-51-025, Revision 01, dated October 21, 2003. Any related 
investigative and corrective actions must be done before further 
flight.

    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.''

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an elevator or aileron trim-tab fitting unless it 
has been inspected, and any applicable corrective actions have been 
done, in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

Reporting Not Required

    (h) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

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 using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-194, dated October 14, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-025, Revision 01, 
dated October 21, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For 
copies of the service information, contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB 
Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. For 
information on the availability of this material at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24520 Filed 11-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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