Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 24, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78956-78958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30262]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1044; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-095-AD; 
Amendment 39-15774; AD 2008-26-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A 
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI)

[[Page 78957]]

originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as:

    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized * * *. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.
* * * * *
    This malfunction could cause failure of the landing gear to extend 
and lock in the extended position, which could result in a gear up 
landing and reduced controllability of the airplane on the ground. We 
are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 28, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 28, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2008 
(73 FR 56765). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized when performing checks according to the SAAB 340 Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) Report, Section F (Airworthiness Limitation 
Section) task number 323106. The valves have seized due to lack of 
internal lubrication. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.
    Because the valve lubrication performance is dependant on 
calendar time since last valve operation, SAAB has revised the check 
to cycle the emergency release handle 5 times and amended the 
interval in MRB section F from 5,000 FH [flight hours] to every 2 
years.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a functional check [for discrepancies (e.g., landing 
gear does not extend, does not lock in down position)] of the 
landing gear emergency extension valve at the newly established 
intervals.

Malfunction of the landing gear release could cause failure of the 
landing gear to extend and lock in the extended position, which could 
result in a gear up landing and reduced controllability of the airplane 
on the ground. The corrective action for any discrepancy that is found 
is repair using a method approved by either the FAA or the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (or its delegated agent). You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 218 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $69,760, or $320 per 
product.

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 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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,

[[Page 78958]]

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 AD:

2008-26-08 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-15774. Docket No. 
FAA-2008-1044; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-095-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
28, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A 
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized when performing checks according to the SAAB 340 Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) Report, Section F (Airworthiness Limitation 
Section) task number 323106. The valves have seized due to lack of 
internal lubrication. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.
    Because the valve lubrication performance is dependant on 
calendar time since last valve operation, SAAB has revised the check 
to cycle the emergency release handle 5 times and amended the 
interval in MRB section F from 5,000 FH [flight hours] to every 2 
years.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a functional check [for discrepancies, (e.g., landing 
gear does not extend, does not lock in down position)] of the 
landing gear emergency extension valve at the newly established 
intervals.

Malfunction of the landing gear release could cause failure of the 
landing gear to extend and lock in the extended position, which 
could result in a gear up landing and reduced controllability of the 
airplane on the ground. The corrective action for any discrepancy 
that is found is repair using a method approved by either the FAA or 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
functional check of the landing gear emergency extension valve in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of SAAB Service 
Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 9, 2008. Repeat the functional 
check thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found during any functional check 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA 
(or its delegated agent).

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: Although the MCAI includes a note that allows the option 
of the repetitive inspections (functional checks) to be accomplished 
in accordance with SAAB 340 Maintenance Review Board Report, Section 
F, Revision 6, Task Number 323106, this AD does not include that 
option. That document is not yet available.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): 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. Send information to ATTN: 
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 
227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which 
the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) 
in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, 
your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0054, dated 
March 5, 2008; and SAAB Service Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 
9, 2008; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use SAAB Service Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 
9, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Linkping, Sweden; 
telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information that is 
incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30262 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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