57892 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 28, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

that no more than one fuel pump on each 

wing on the airplane is inoperative.

Note 2: When operating under the MMEL, 

operators must comply with the unusable 

fuel quantity as referenced in the Limitations 

Section of the appropriate FAA-approved 

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).

Parts Installation 

(o) As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install a fuel pump, P/N 2C7–1, 

on any airplane. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

(p)(1) 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. 

(2) Alternative methods of compliance, 

approved previously per AD 2000–19–02, 

amendment 39–11903, are not approved as 

alternative methods of compliance with this 

AD. 

Related Information 

(q) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2000–

08–01R2, dated February 13, 2002, also 

addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 20, 2004. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–21644 Filed 9–27–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. 2002–NM–182–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model 

SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series 

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking; reopening of 

comment period. 

SUMMARY: This document revises an 

earlier proposed airworthiness directive 

(AD), applicable to certain Saab Model 

SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series 

airplanes, that would have required 

replacement of the retract actuator 

bracket attachment bolt (RABAB) of the 

main landing gear (MLG) with a new 

RABAB, and reidentification of the MLG 

shock strut. This new action revises the 

proposed rule by referencing new 

service information; and by adding an 

inspection for corrosion, fretting, or 

other damage of any RABAB installed in 

accordance with the old service 

information; and applicable corrective 

actions. The actions specified by this 

new proposed AD are intended to 

prevent failure of the RABAB, which 

could result in loosening of the actuator 

bracket and consequent failure of the 

MLG to retract, with considerable 

damage to other landing gear parts, 

including the MLG trunnion fitting. 

This action is intended to address the 

identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

October 25, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in 

triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Transport 

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, 

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002–NM–

182–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Comments may be inspected at this 

location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. Comments may be submitted 

via fax to (425) 227–1232. Comments 

may also be sent via the Internet using 

the following address: 9-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent 

via fax or the Internet must contain 

‘‘Docket No. 2002–NM–182–AD’’ in the 

subject line and need not be submitted 

in triplicate. Comments sent via the 

Internet as attached electronic files must 

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 

2000 or ASCII text. 

The service information referenced in 

the proposed rule may be obtained from 

Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft 

Product Support, S–581.88, Link’’ping, 

Sweden. This information may be 

examined at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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: 

Comments Invited 

Interested persons are invited to 

participate in the making of the 

proposed rule by submitting such 

written data, views, or arguments as 

they may desire. Communications shall 

identify the Rules Docket number and 

be submitted in triplicate to the address 

specified above. All communications 

received on or before the closing date 

for comments, specified above, will be 

considered before taking action on the 

proposed rule. The proposals contained 

in this action may be changed in light 

of the comments received. 

Submit comments using the following 

format: 

• Organize comments issue-by-issue. 

For example, discuss a request to 

change the compliance time and a 

request to change the service bulletin 

reference as two separate issues. 

• For each issue, state what specific 

change to the proposed AD is being 

requested. 

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or 

data) for each request. 

Comments are specifically invited on 

the overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the proposed rule. All comments 

submitted will be available, both before 

and after the closing date for comments, 

in the Rules Docket for examination by 

interested persons. A report 

summarizing each FAA-public contact 

concerned with the substance of this 

proposal will be filed in the Rules 

Docket. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

submitted in response to this action 

must submit a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket Number 2002–NM–182–AD.’’

The postcard will be date stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

Availability of NPRMs 

Any person may obtain a copy of this 

NPRM by submitting a request to the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 

2002–NM–182–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, 

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Discussion 

A proposal to amend part 39 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 

part 39) to add an airworthiness 

directive (AD), applicable to certain 

Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 

340B series airplanes, was published as 

a notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM) in the Federal Register on April 

15, 2004 (69 FR 19952). That NPRM 

would have required replacement of the 

retract actuator bracket attachment bolt 

(RABAB) of the main landing gear 

(MLG) with a new RABAB, and 

reidentification of the MLG shock strut. 

That NPRM was prompted by reports of 

failures of the RABAB of the MLG due 

to hydrogen embrittlement. This can be 

caused by failure to fully de-embrittle 

after electroplating the RABAB during 

manufacture. That condition, if not 

corrected, could result in loosening of 

the retract actuator bracket and 

consequent failure of the MLG to retract, 

with considerable damage to other 

landing gear parts, including the MLG 

trunnion fitting. 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 28, 2004 / Proposed Rules 57893

Actions Since Issuance of Previous 

Proposal 

Since the issuance of the original 

NPRM, the Luftfartsverket (LFV), which 

is the airworthiness authority for 

Sweden, notified us of reports of 

failures of RABABs that were replaced 

in accordance with Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–32–124, Revision 01, dated 

May 21, 2002 (which the original NPRM 

refers to as the acceptable source of 

service information for replacing the 

RABAB). Investigation revealed that the 

service bulletin does not specify the 

torque value for installing the new 

RABAB. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in improper 

installation of the RABAB with 

consequent failure and possible collapse 

of the MLG. 

Explanation of New Relevant Service 

Information 

Saab has issued Saab Service Bulletin 

340–32–131, dated June 29, 2004; 

including as Attachments 1 and 2, 

APPH Ltd. Service Bulletins AIR83022–

32–28 and AIR83064–32–08, both dated 

January 2002; and as Attachments 3 and 

4, APPH Ltd. Service Bulletins 

AIR83022–32–29 and AIR83064–32–09, 

both dated April 2002. Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–32–131 supersedes Saab 

Service Bulletin 340–32–124, Revision 

01, dated May 21, 2002, including as 

Attachments 1 and 2, APPH Ltd. Service 

Bulletins AIR83022–32–28 and 

AIR83064–32–08, both dated January 

2002; and Saab Service Bulletin 340–

32–125, dated April 29, 2002, including 

as Attachments 1 and 2, APPH Ltd. 

Service Bulletins AIR83022–32–29 and 

AIR83064–32–09, both dated April 

2002. Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–131 

describes procedures for replacing the 

RABAB with a new RABAB and 

reidentifying the MLG strut. If Service 

Bulletin 340–32–124, Revision 01, has 

been accomplished previously, Saab 

Service Bulletin 340–32–131 describes 

procedures for a one-time visual 

inspection of the new RABAB for 

corrosion, fretting, or other damage; and 

applicable corrective actions. Corrective 

actions could include replacing the 

RABAB with a new RABAB and 

repairing any other damage. 

Accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information is intended to 

adequately address the unsafe 

condition. The LFV mandated the 

service information and issued Swedish 

airworthiness directive 1–195, dated 

July 6, 2004, to ensure the continued 

airworthiness of these airplanes in 

Sweden. 

Comments 

Comments were submitted on the 

original NPRM. Due to the release of 

new service information, those 

comments are no longer applicable and 

are not addressed by this supplemental 

NPRM. 

Conclusion 

Since this change expands the scope 

of the originally proposed rule, the FAA 

has determined that it is necessary to 

reopen the comment period to provide 

additional opportunity for public 

comment. 

Differences Between the Supplemental 

NPRM and Service Bulletin 

The service bulletin refers to a ‘‘visual 

inspection’’ of a previously replaced 

RABAB for corrosion, fretting, or other 

damage. We have determined that the 

procedures in the service bulletin 

should be described as a ‘‘detailed 

inspection.’’ We have included Note 2 

to define this type of inspection.

Cost Impact 

We estimate that approximately 281 

airplanes of U.S. registry would be 

affected by this proposed AD, that it 

would take approximately 7 work hours 

per airplane to accomplish the proposed 

actions, and that the average labor rate 

is $65 per work hour. Required parts 

would be supplied at no cost by the 

manufacturer. Based on these figures, 

the cost impact of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators is estimated to be 

$127,855, or $455 per airplane. 

The cost impact figure discussed 

above is based on assumptions that no 

operator has yet accomplished any of 

the proposed 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 proposed herein 

would 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 proposal 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that this proposed regulation (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) if 

promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 

regulatory evaluation prepared for this 

action is contained in the Rules Docket. 

A copy of it may be obtained by 

contacting the Rules Docket at the 

location provided under the caption 

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, pursuant to the 

authority delegated to me by the 

Administrator, the Federal Aviation 

Administration proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. Section 39.13 is amended by 

adding the following new airworthiness 

directive:

Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. 2002–NM–

182–AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series 

airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 004 through 

159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series 

airplanes, S/Ns 160 through 459 inclusive; 

certificated in any category. 

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless 

accomplished previously. 

To prevent failure of the retract actuator 

bracket attachment bolt (RABAB), which 

could result in loosening of the retract 

actuator bracket and consequent failure of the 

main landing gear (MLG) to retract, with 

considerable damage to other landing gear 

parts, including the MLG trunnion fitting, 

accomplish the following: 

Replacement/Reidentification of RABAB 

(a) For airplanes not previously modified 

in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 

340–32–124, Revision 01, dated May 21, 

2002: Within 12 months after the effective 

date of this AD, perform the actions specified 

in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–

131, dated June 29, 2004, including 

Attachments 1 and 2, both dated January 

57894 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 28, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

2002, and Attachments 3 and 4, both dated 

April 2002.

Note 1: APPH Ltd. Service Bulletins 

AIR83022–32–28 and AIR83064–32–08, both 

dated January 2002, comprising Attachments 

1 and 2, and Service Bulletins AIR83022–32–

29 and AIR83064–32–09, both dated April 

2002, comprising Attachments 3 and 4, are 

incorporated into Saab Service Bulletin 340–

32–131 as additional sources of service 

information.

(1) Replace the existing RABAB with a new 

RABAB. 

(2) Reidentify the MLG shock strut. 

Inspection of RABAB 

(b) For airplanes previously modified in 

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

32–124, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2002: 

Within 6 months after the effective date of 

this AD, perform a one-time detailed 

inspection for corrosion, fretting, or other 

damage of any RABAB replaced in 

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

32–124, Revision 01; and applicable 

corrective actions; in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–32–131, dated June 29, 2004, 

including Attachments 1 and 2, both dated 

January 2002, and Attachments 3 and 4, both 

dated April 2002.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a 

detailed inspection is ‘‘an intensive 

examination of a specific item, installation, 

or assembly to detect damage, failure, or 

irregularity. Available lighting is normally 

supplemented with a direct source of good 

lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. 

Inspection aids such as mirrors magnifying 

lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface 

cleaning and elaborate procedures may be 

required.’’

Parts Installation 

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install a RABAB, part number

(P/N) AIR83022–5 through –18 inclusive, or 

P/N AIR83064 (any suffix), on any airplane. 

Special Flight Permits 

(d) Special flight permits are not allowed 

as specified in section 21.197 and 21.199 of 

the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 

21.197 and 21.199). 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the 

Manager, International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is 

authorized to approve alternative methods of 

compliance for this AD.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed 

in Swedish airworthiness directive 1–195, 

dated July 6, 2004.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 20, 2004. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–21645 Filed 9–27–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Industry and Security 

15 CFR Chapter VII 

[Docket No. 040913263–4263–01] 

Effectiveness of Licensing Procedures 

for Agricultural Commodities to Cuba

AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and 

Security, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and 

Security (BIS) is requesting public 

comments on the effectiveness of 

licensing procedures set forth in the 

Export Administration Regulations for 

the export of agricultural commodities 

to Cuba. BIS will include a description 

of these comments in its biennial report 

to the Congress, required by the Trade 

Sanctions Reform and Export 

Enhancement Act of 2000.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

October 28, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (three 

copies) should be sent to Sheila 

Quarterman, Regulatory Policy Division, 

Bureau of Industry and Security, 

Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 273, 

Washington, DC 20044, or to e-mail 

SQuarter@bis.doc.gov. Comments may 

also be e-mailed to Brian Nilsson, Office 

of Nonproliferation and Treaty 

Compliance, at BNilsson@bis.doc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian Nilsson, Foreign Policy Controls 

Division, Bureau of Industry and 

Security, Telephone: (202) 482–4252. 

Additional information on BIS 

procedures and our previous biennial 

report under the Trade Sanctions 

Reform and Export Enhancement Act, as 

amended, is available at http://

www.bis.doc.gov/licensing/

TSRA_TOC.html. Copies of these 

materials may also be requested by 

contacting the Office of 

Nonproliferation and Treaty 

Compliance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 

authorizes exports of agricultural 

commodities to Cuba pursuant to 

section 906(a) of the Trade Sanctions 

Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 

2000 (TSRA) (22 U.S.C. 7205(a)), under 

the procedures set forth in § 740.18 of 

the Export Administration Regulations 

(EAR) (15 CFR 740.18). These are the 

only licensing procedures currently in 

effect pursuant to the requirements of 

section 906(a) of TSRA. 

Under the provisions of section 906(c) 

of TSRA (22 U.S.C. 7205(c)), BIS must 

submit a biennial report to the Congress 

on the operation of the licensing system 

implemented pursuant to section 906(a) 

for the preceding two-year period. This 

report is to include the number and 

types of licenses applied for, the 

number and types of licenses approved, 

the average amount of time elapsed from 

the date of filing of a license application 

until the date of its approval, the extent 

to which the licensing procedures were 

effectively implemented, and a 

description of comments received from 

interested parties during a 30-day public 

comment period about the effectiveness 

of the licensing procedures. BIS is 

currently preparing a biennial report on 

the operation of the licensing system for 

the two-year period from October 1, 

2002 to September 30, 2004. 

By this notice, BIS requests public 

comments on the effectiveness of the 

licensing procedures for the export of 

agricultural commodities to Cuba set 

forth under § 740.18 of the EAR. Parties 

submitting comments are asked to be as 

specific as possible. All comments 

received by the close of the comment 

period will be considered by BIS in 

developing the report to Congress. 

All information relating to the notice 

will be a matter of public record and 

will be available for public inspection 

and copying. In the interest of accuracy 

and completeness, BIS requires written 

comments. Oral comments must be 

followed by written memoranda, which 

will also be a matter of public record 

and will be available for public review 

and copying. 

Copies of the public record 

concerning these regulations may be 

requested from: Bureau of Industry and 

Security, Office of Administration, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, Room 6883, 

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20230; (202) 482–2165. 

The Office of Administration displays 

these public comments on BIS’s 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Web 

site at http://www.bis.doc.gov/foia. This 

office does not maintain a separate 

public inspection facility. If you have 

technical difficulties accessing this Web 

site, please call BIS’s Office of 

Administration at (202) 482–2165 for 

assistance.

Dated: September 17, 2004. 

Peter Lichtenbaum, 

Assistant Secretary for Export 

Administration.

[FR Doc. 04–21733 Filed 9–27–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–33–P