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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17913-17914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7472]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-25-AD; Amendment 39-13567; AD 2004-07-23]
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 assistor springs and 
bearings with certain new assistor springs and bearings. This action is 
necessary to prevent possible collapse of a main landing gear upon 
landing and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 2004.

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 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 
February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5792). That action proposed to require 
replacement of certain assistor springs and bearings with certain new 
assistor springs and bearings.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change Made to the Final Rule

    The FAA has revised the citation format for Saab Service Bulletin 
340-32-130, dated April 28, 2003, referenced in paragraph (a) of this 
final rule, to adhere to the Office of the Federal Register's 
guidelines for materials incorporated by reference.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 288 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 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 $750 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $253,440, or $880 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:

2004-07-23 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13567. Docket 2003-NM-25-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes with serial 
numbers 004 through 159 inclusive, and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes with serial numbers 160 through 459 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible collapse of a main landing gear upon landing 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Replacements

    (a) Within the compliance times listed in Table 1 of this AD, 
perform the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of

[[Page 17914]]

this AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 
340-32-130, dated April 28, 2003; including Attachments 1 and 2, 
Revision 1, dated April 2003; and Attachments 3 and 4, dated April 
2003.

                        Table 1--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Within--                               If--
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6 months after the effective date of this   Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-
 AD.                                         126, dated December 18,
                                             2002, has been performed.
3 months after the effective date of this   Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-
 AD.                                         126, dated December 18,
                                             2002, has not been
                                             performed.
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    (1) Replace the assistor springs of the main landing gear with 
new assistor springs, per Part 1 of the service bulletin.
    (2) Replace the bearings of the main landing gear with new 
bearings, per Part 2 of the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an assistor spring, part number AIR125132 or AIR131330, on any 
airplane.

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) The replacements shall be done in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-32-130, dated April 28, 2003; including 
Attachments 1 and 2, Revision 1, dated April 2003; and Attachments 3 
and 4, dated April 2003. This document contains the following 
effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Revision
 level page      Date shown on page               Shown on page
   number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       1-6   Original                    April 28, 2003
------------
 Attachment
     1
       1-3   1                          April 2003
------------
 Attachment
     2
       1-3   1                          April 2003
                              Attachment 3
       1-3   Original                   April 2003
------------
 Attachment
     4
       1-3   Original                   April 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive No 1-191, dated April 28, 2003.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 26, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7472 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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