Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27598-27599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4309]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24075; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-235-AD; 
Amendment 39-14589; AD 2006-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B 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-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B 
airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection to see if a faulty 
uplock axle for the shock strut of the main landing gear (MLG) is 
installed, and replacing the uplock axle with a new uplock axle if 
necessary. This AD results from a report of a cracked uplock axle 
caused by hydrogen embrittlement during the manufacturing process. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the uplock mechanism, which, 
combined with a loss of hydraulic pressure, could result in an 
uncommanded extension of the MLG.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 16, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 16, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Saab Model 
SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. That NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2006 (71 FR 11349). 
That NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection to see if a faulty 
uplock axle for the shock strut of the main landing gear (MLG) is 
installed, and replacing the uplock axle with a new uplock axle if 
necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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

    This AD will affect about 248 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required inspection 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 $16,120, or $65 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

[[Page 27599]]

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 this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-10-05 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB: Amendment 39-14589. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24075; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-235-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 16, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to SAAB Model SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, certificated in any category; 
serial numbers SAAB SF340A-004 through -159 inclusive, and SAAB 
340B-160 through -459 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a cracked uplock axle of 
the main landing gear (MLG) shock strut caused by hydrogen 
embrittlement during the manufacturing process. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the uplock mechanism, which, combined with 
a loss of hydraulic pressure, could result in an uncommanded 
extension of the MLG.

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 To Determine Part Serial Number

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
the uplock axle of the MLG shock strut to determine whether an 
affected serial number (S/N) is installed. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
S/N of the uplock axle can be conclusively determined from that 
review. Do the inspection in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-132, dated November 3, 
2005.

    Note 1: The Saab service bulletin refers to APPH Service 
Bulletins AIR83022-32-31, Revision 1; and AIR83064-32-11, Revision 
1; both dated October 2005; as additional sources of service 
information for identifying uplock axles with affected S/Ns, and 
replacing the axles if necessary. The APPH service bulletins are 
attached to the Saab service bulletin.

Corrective Action

    (g) Before further flight after accomplishing the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Replace with a new uplock axle 
any uplock axle with an affected S/N identified by the inspection in 
paragraph (f) of this AD. Do all actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-132, 
dated November 3, 2005.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an uplock axle on any airplane if it has an affected S/N identified 
in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (i) Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-132, dated November 3, 2005, specify to send a 
report with the S/N of replaced uplock axles to APPH Ltd., this AD 
does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-199, effective November 9, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-132, dated 
November 3, 2005, including the attachments listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for a copy of this service information. You 
may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

   Table 1.--APPH Service Bulletins Attached to Saab Service Bulletin
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                                        Revision
        APPH service  bulletin           level             Date
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AIR83022-32-31.......................          1  Oct. 2005.
AIR83064-32-11.......................          1  Oct. 2005.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 28, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4309 Filed 5-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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