Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50250-50251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25166]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-10144; AD 97-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 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 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in the cabin area. In 
addition, this amendment provides for optional terminating action for 
that deactivation. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating 
that a flight attendant's floormat heater became overheated as a result 
of a short circuit between a floormat heater and a floor panel that was 
made of conductive material; this condition resulted in smoke in the 
cabin area. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such short circuiting, which could cause overheating of the floormat 
heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin.

DATES: Effective October 30, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from SAAB Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoing, 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: Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1721; 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 2000 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 22, 1997 
(62 FR 27987). That action proposed to require deactivation of certain 
floormat heaters in the cabin area. In addition, that action proposed 
to provide for optional terminating action for that deactivation.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
deactivation, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $180, or $60 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.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating 
action that would be provided by this AD action, it would take 
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish it, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the 
manufacturer to the operators at no cost. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of this optional terminating action is estimated to be $120 
per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under

[[Page 50251]]

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

    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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-20-06  Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10144. Docket 96-NM-213-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -039 inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as 
specified in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated 
October 18, 1996, has not been accomplished; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent short circuiting between the floormat heater and the 
floor panel, which could cause overheating of the floormat heater 
and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of the AD, 
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either 
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater 
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, 
dated January 23, 1996.
    (b) Installation of a floormat heater, floor covering, and a new 
floor panel made of non-conductive material, in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996, 
constitutes terminating action for the deactivation required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996. 
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, Linkoping, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25166 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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