Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 13, 2000 / Proposed Rules 37087

Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 1999–404–

293(B), dated October 6, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–14884 Filed 6–12–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–354–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model

SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 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 340B and SAAB 2000 series

airplanes, that would have superseded

an existing AD. That AD currently

requires various inspections of

fluorescent lamps and lampholders in

the cabin area for discrepancies;

corrections, if necessary; and

reinspection of the lamps to ensure

correct installation after replacement or

reinstallation of the lamps or

lampholders. The proposed AD would

have added a requirement for

replacement of the electronic light

ballasts with improved ballasts, which

would terminate the reinspections, and

would have expanded the applicability

of the existing AD. That proposal was

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

This new action revises the proposed

rule to require a certain modification in

accordance with revised procedures.

The actions specified by this new

proposed AD are intended to prevent

electrical arcing between the fluorescent

tube pins and the lampholders, which

could burn the surrounding area and

lead to smoke and fumes in the

passenger compartment or lavatory area.

DATES: Comments must be received by

July 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NM–

354–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may also

be sent via the Internet using the

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

via the Internet must contain ‘‘Docket

No. 99–NM–354–AD’’ in the subject line

and need not be submitted in triplicate.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

SAAB Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

Product Support, S–581.88, Linko ̈ping,

Sweden. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2110;

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 notice 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 notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 99–NM–354–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.

99–NM–354–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 340B and SAAB

2000 series airplanes, was published as

a notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM) in the Federal Register on

March 27, 2000 (65 FR 16154). That

NPRM proposed to supersede AD 97–

13–06, amendment 39–10052 (62 FR

33545, June 20, 1997), which is

applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB

340B and SAAB 2000 series airplanes.

That NPRM would have continued to

require the actions specified in AD 97–

13–06. That NPRM would have added a

requirement for replacement of the

electronic light ballasts with improved

ballasts, which would terminate the

requirement for reinspections of the

lamps. That NPRM would also have

expanded the applicability of the

existing AD to include additional Model

SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series

airplanes that are also subject to the

identified unsafe condition. That NPRM

was prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority,

advising that a terminating modification

is available, and that additional

airplanes may be subject to fluorescent

lampholder charring due to the

incorrect installation of the lamps in

their holders. That condition, if not

corrected, could burn the surrounding

area and lead to smoke and fumes in the

passenger compartment or lavatory area.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous

Proposal

Since the issuance of that NPRM, the

FAA has been advised that Saab has

issued Service Bulletin 340–33–049,

Revision 01, dated November 15, 1999,

and Revision 02, dated February 2,

2000. The original issue of this service

37088 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 13, 2000 / Proposed Rules

bulletin, dated January 21, 1999, was

referenced as an appropriate source of

service information in paragraph (d)(1)

of the proposed AD, and describes

procedures for modification of the

ballasts to ensure sufficient clearance

between the ballast and Passenger

Service Unit (PSU) transistors. Revision

01 and Revision 02 of the service

bulletin describe similar modification

procedures, but include additional

procedures for replacement of certain

PSU circuit boards with different PSU

circuit boards. The manufacturer

advises that replacement of these PSU

circuit boards is necessary in order to

obtain adequate clearance between the

ballast and transistors.

The FAA has determined that

modification of the ballasts must be

accomplished in accordance with

Revision 02 of the service bulletin, and

has revised paragraph (d)(1) of the AD

accordingly. Additionally, a ‘‘NOTE 3’’

has been added to the proposed AD to

give credit to operators that may have

previously accomplished the

modification in accordance with

Revision 01 of the service bulletin,

dated November 15, 1999.

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.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 78 airplanes

of U.S. registry that would be affected

by this proposed AD.

The actions that are currently

required by AD 97–13–06 take

approximately 7 work hours per

airplane to accomplish, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based

on these figures, the cost impact of the

currently required actions on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $420 per

airplane.

The new actions that are proposed in

this AD action would take as much as

9 work hours per airplane to

accomplish, at an average labor rate of

$60 per work hour. Required parts

would be provided free of charge by the

manufacturer. Based on these figures,

the cost impact of the proposed

requirements of this AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be as much as

$42,120, or $540 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are 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.

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

removing amendment 39–10052 (62 FR

33545, June 20, 1997), and by adding a

new airworthiness directive (AD), to

read as follows:

SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 99–NM–354–AD.

Supersedes AD 97–13–06, Amendment

39–10052.

Applicability: This AD applies to the

following airplanes:

Model SAAB 340B series airplanes having

serial numbers –342 and –359 through

–460 inclusive, certificated in any category;

except those on which Saab Service

Bulletin 340–33–048, Revision 01, dated

January 21, 1999 (Saab Modification No.

2936), has been incorporated; and

Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes having

serial numbers –004 through –063

inclusive, certificated in any category;

except those on which Saab Service

Bulletin 2000–33–015, dated January 29,

1999 (Saab Modification No. 6148), has

been incorporated.

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 (f)(1) 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 electrical arcing between the

fluorescent tube pins and the lampholders,

which could burn the surrounding area and

lead to smoke and fumes in the passenger

compartment or lavatory area, accomplish

the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 97–13–

06

Inspections

(a) For Model SAAB 340B series airplanes

having serial numbers -342 and -359 through

-439 inclusive; and Model SAAB 2000 series

airplanes having serial numbers -004 through

-059 inclusive: Within 30 days after July 7,

1997 (the effective date of AD 97–13–06,

amendment 39–10052), accomplish the

actions required by paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2),

and (a)(3), as applicable.

(1) For all airplanes: Inspect the fluorescent

lamps installed in the ceiling/window of the

lavatory and passenger compartment to

ensure correct installation; and inspect the

lampholders for discrepancies such as

discoloration, evidence of electrical arcing at

the light tube pins, charring or melting, or

insecure back covers; in accordance with

Saab Service Bulletin 340–33–047, dated

May 16, 1997 (for Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes); or Saab Service Bulletin 2000–33–

014, dated May 16, 1997 (for Model SAAB

2000 series airplanes); as applicable.

(i) If any lamp is installed incorrectly, prior

to further flight, install the lamp correctly in

accordance with the applicable service

bulletin.

(ii) If any discrepancy is found, prior to

further flight, replace the lampholder with a

new lampholder in accordance with the

applicable service bulletin.

(2) For Model SAAB 340B series airplanes

on which a Page Aerospace lampholder

having part number (P/N) D756–02–001 is

installed: Install a retaining clip in

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

33–040, Revision 02, dated February 20,

1997.

Note 2: Installation of retaining clips on

Page Aerospace lampholders that was

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 13, 2000 / Proposed Rules 37089

accomplished prior to July 7, 1997, in

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

33–040, Revision 01, dated January 31, 1997,

also is considered acceptable for compliance

with the requirement of paragraph (a)(2) of

this AD.

(3) For Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes

on which a Page Aerospace lampholder

having P/N C756–10–001 is installed: Install

a retaining clip in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 2000–33–009, dated June 19,

1996.

Reinspections Following Replacement or

Reinstallation

(b) Following the accomplishment of the

requirements of paragraph (a) or paragraph

(c) of this AD: If any fluorescent lamp or

lampholder is replaced or reinstalled, within

7 days after accomplishing such replacement

or reinstallation, reinspect the lamp to ensure

it is still in the correct position, in

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

33–047, dated May 16, 1997, or Revision 01,

dated June 26, 1998 (for Model SAAB 340B

series airplanes); or Saab Service Bulletin

2000–33–014, dated May 16, 1997 (for Model

SAAB 2000 series airplanes); as applicable. If

any lamp is installed incorrectly, prior to

further flight, make corrections to ensure

correct installation in accordance with the

applicable service bulletin.

New Requirements of This AD

Inspections for Additional Airplanes

(c) For airplanes other than those specified

in paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 30 days

after the effective date of this AD, accomplish

the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD,

and thereafter accomplish the requirements

of paragraph (b) of this AD.

Terminating Modification

(d) For all airplanes: Within 18 months

after the effective date of this AD, accomplish

the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2)

of this AD, as applicable. Accomplishment of

the actions required by the applicable

paragraph constitutes terminating action for

the requirements of this AD.

(1) For Model SAAB 340B series airplanes:

Replace the electronic light ballasts with

improved ballasts, in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 340–33–048, Revision 01,

dated January 21, 1999. Concurrent with the

replacement, modify the ballasts to ensure

sufficient clearance between the ballast and

certain transistors, in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 340–33–049, Revision 02,

dated February 2, 2000.

(2) For Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes:

Replace the electronic light ballasts with

improved ballasts, in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 2000–33–015, dated January

29, 1999.

Note 3: Modification of the ballasts for

sufficient clearance in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 340–33–049, Revision 01,

dated November 15, 1999, is acceptable for

compliance with the modification

requirement of paragraph (d)(1) of the AD.

Spares

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

person shall install a fluorescent lampholder

having Page Aerospace P/N D756–02–001 or

Page Aerospace P/N C756–10–001 on any

Model SAAB 340B or SAAB 2000 series

airplane, unless the lampholder has been

modified in accordance with the

requirements of paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of

this AD, as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(f)(1) 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,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators

shall submit their requests through an

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, International Branch,

ANM–116.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance,

approved previously in accordance with AD

97–13–06, amendment 39–10052, are

approved as alternative methods of

compliance with this AD.

Note 4: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

Special Flight Permits

(g) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 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.

Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Swedish airworthiness directives 1–113R1

and 1–114R1, both dated September 8, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–14883 Filed 6–12–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00–AAL–4]

Proposed Revision of Class E

Airspace; Ambler, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This action revises Class E

airspace at Ambler, AK. The

establishment of a Global Positioning

System (GPS) instrument approach to

runway (RWY) 36 at Ambler, AK, has

made this action necessary. Adoption of

this proposal would result in the

provision of adequate controlled

airspace for Instrument Flight Rules

(IFR) operations at Ambler, AK.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before July 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposal in triplicate to: Manager,

Operations Branch, AAL–530, Docket

No. 00–AAL–4, Federal Aviation

Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue,

Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513–7587.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Regional Counsel for

the Alaskan Region at the same address.

An informal docket may also be

examined during normal business hours

in the Office of the Manager, Operations

Branch, Air Traffic Division, at the

address shown above and on the

Internet at Alaskan Region’s homepage

at http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at

address http://162.58.28.41/at.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob

Durand, Operations Branch, Federal

Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th

Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513–

7587; telephone number (907) 271–

5898; fax: (907) 271–2850; email:

Bob.Durand@faa.gov. Internet address:

http://www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at

address http://162.58.28.41/at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to

participate in this proposed rulemaking

by submitting such written data, views,

or arguments as they may desire.

Comments that provide the factual basis

supporting the views and suggestions

presented are particularly helpful in

developing reasoned regulatory

decisions on the proposal. Comments

are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, aeronautical, economic,

environmental, and energy-related

aspects of the proposal.

Communications should identify the

airspace docket number and be

submitted in triplicate to the address

listed above. Commenters wishing the

FAA to acknowledge receipt of their

comments on this action must submit

with those comments a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the

following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Airspace Docket No. 00–

AAL–4.’’ The postcard will be date/time

stamped and returned to the

commenter. All communications

received on or before the specified

closing date for comments will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposal contained

in this action may be changed in light

of comments received. All comments

submitted will be available for

examination in the Operations Branch,

Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation