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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9215-9216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3281]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19752; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-170-AD; 
Amendment 39-13984; AD 2005-04-12]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This AD 
requires repetitive inspections for wear of the brushes and leads and 
for loose rivets of the direct current (DC) starter generator, and 
related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD is 
prompted by reports of premature failures of the DC starter generator 
prior to scheduled overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the starter generator, which could cause a low voltage situation in 
flight and result in increased pilot workload and reduced redundancy of 
the electrical powered systems.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 1, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 
1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, 
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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19752; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-170-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 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 December 
1, 2004 (69 FR 69836), proposed to require repetitive inspections for 
wear of the brushes and leads and for loose rivets of the direct 
current starter generator, 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.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time we may consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 170 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $11,050, per inspection 
cycle, or $65 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 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

[[Page 9216]]

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):

2005-04-12 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13984. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19752; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-170-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 1, 2005.

Applicability

    (b) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes 
having serial numbers 004 through 159 inclusive, and Model SAAB 340B 
series airplanes having serial numbers 160 through 367 inclusive; 
certificated in any category; on which Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-
026 (Modification 2533) has not been implemented.

Unsafe Condition

    (c) This AD was prompted by reports of premature failures of the 
direct current (DC) starter generator prior to scheduled overhaul. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the starter generator, 
which could cause a low voltage situation in flight and result in 
increased pilot workload and reduced redundancy of the electrical 
powered systems.

Compliance

    (d) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections for Wear of the DC Starter Generator Brushes and Leads

    (e) For generators overhauled in accordance with Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) Task 243104: Before 800 flight hours since the 
last overhaul or within 100 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a general visual inspection 
for wear of the DC starter generator brushes and leads, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-035, dated July 5, 
2004.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is ``a visual examination of a 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 normal available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-
light 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.''


    Note 2: Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-035, dated July 5, 2004, 
references Goodrich Service Information Letter 23080-03X-24-01, 
dated July 1, 2004, as an additional source of service information.

    (1) If the tops of the brush sets are above the top of the brush 
box, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 800 flight 
hours.
    (2) If the tops of the brush sets are below the top of the brush 
box, before further flight, measure the brushes and determine the 
remaining amount of brush life remaining, in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (i) If the brush wear is within the limits specified in the 
service bulletin, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 
800 flight hours.
    (ii) If the brush wear is outside the limits specified in the 
service bulletin, before further flight, replace the starter 
generator with a new or serviceable starter generator, in accordance 
with the service bulletin.

Inspections for Loose Rivets

    (f) For generators overhauled in accordance with MRB Task 
243104: Before 800 flight hours since last overhaul or within 100 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, perform a general visual inspection of each leading wafer 
brush for loose rivets, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 
340-24-035, dated July 5, 2004. Repeat the inspections at intervals 
not to exceed 800 flight hours. If any rivet is loose, before 
further flight, replace the DC starter generator with a new or 
serviceable starter generator, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.

MRB Task 243103 or 243101

    (g) For generators overhauled or with brush replacement 
accomplished in accordance with MRB Task 243103 or 243101, no action 
is required by this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 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

    (i) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-196 R1, effective July 15, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 340-24-035, dated July 5, 
2004, including Attachment 1 (Goodrich Service Information Letter 
23080-03X-24-01), dated July 1, 2004, 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 February 11, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-3281 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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