62656 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

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. 

Related Information 

(o) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 

Directive 2011–0005, dated January 17, 2011; 

and Airbus Service Bulletin A310–28–2148, 

Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; for related 

information. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 28, 2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–26106 Filed 10–7–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1062; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–038–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, 

Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/ 

SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above that would 

supersede an existing AD. This 

proposed AD results from mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI) 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: 

In 2003, a number of reports had been 

received concerning broken wires and 

corroded connectors in the SAAB 340 main 

landing gear (MLG) emergency release 

system. The investigation results showed that 

these were due to improper repairs and 

installations, not conforming to the approved 

type design. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

inhibit the functioning of the separation bolt, 

preventing proper release of the MLG during 

an emergency situation, possibly resulting in 

damage to aeroplane during landing and 

injury to the occupants. 

* * * * * 

The proposed AD would require 

actions that are intended to address the 

unsafe condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 25, 

2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Saab AB, 

Saab Aerosystems, SE–581 88, 

Linko ̈ping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 

18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail 

saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; 

Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. 

You may review copies of the 

referenced service information 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. 

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 this proposed AD, 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. 

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: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2011–1062; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–038–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD based on those comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

On May 28, 2004, we issued AD 

2004–12–03, Amendment 39–13662 (69 

FR 35235, June 24, 2004). That AD 

required actions intended to address an 

unsafe condition on the products listed 

above. 

Since we issued AD 2004–12–03, 

Amendment 39–13662 (69 FR 35235, 

June 24, 2004), we have received reports 

that the previous modification does not 

fully meet the expected results; 

therefore, an improved separation bolt 

harness having part number (P/N) 

7292520–691 has been designed to 

replace the current separation bolt 

harness having P/N 7292520–678. The 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2011–0003, 

dated January 17, 2011 (referred to after 

this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the specified products. 

The MCAI states: 

In 2003, a number of reports had been 

received concerning broken wires and 

corroded connectors in the SAAB 340 main 

landing gear (MLG) emergency release 

system. The investigation results showed that 

these were due to improper repairs and 

installations, not conforming to the approved 

type design. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

inhibit the functioning of the separation bolt, 

preventing proper release of the MLG during 

an emergency situation, possibly resulting in 

damage to aeroplane during landing and 

injury to the occupants. 

To address that unsafe condition, Swedish 

AD (SAD) 1–186 was issued to require an 

inspection and, depending on findings, 

corrective action, in accordance with SAAB 

Service Bulletin (SB) 340–32–127. 

Subsequently, Saab introduced a 

modification to ensure correct functioning of 

the MLG emergency release system. 

Accomplishment of that modification (SAAB 

SB 340–32–128) was made mandatory by 

SAD 1–189 [which corresponds to FAA AD 

2004–12–03 (69 FR 35235, June 24, 2004)]. 

Since that [SAD] AD was issued, service 

experience has shown that this modification 

does not fully meet the expected results. 

Prompted by these findings, SAAB has 

developed an improved separation bolt 

harness with a new routing. 

For the reasons described above, this AD 

requires replacement of the current 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2011 / Proposed Rules 62657 

separation bolt harness Part Number (P/N) 

7292520–678 with the improved unit, P/N 

7292520–691. 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Saab has issued Service Bulletin 340– 

32–139, Revision 01, dated November 1, 

2010. The actions described in this 

service information are intended to 

correct the unsafe condition identified 

in the MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined an unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

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 proposed 

different actions in this AD from those 

in the MCAI in order to follow FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a NOTE within the 

proposed AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 111 products of U.S. 

registry. We estimate the following costs 

to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

For certain model— Action— 

Number 

of 

affected 

airplanes— 

Work hours— Parts 

cost— Total cost— 

SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 

series airplanes (retained actions from existing AD 2004– 

12–03 (69 FR 35235, June 24, 

2004).

Inspection and modification of harnesses.111 6 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$510.

$1,475 $168,280, or $1,985 

per airplane. 

SAAB SF340A and SF340B series airplanes (new proposed 

action).

Replace separation 

bolt harnesses.

111 10 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$850.

1,790 $96,140, or $2,640 

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 

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 proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the 

AD docket. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing Amendment 39–13662 (69 FR 

35235, June 24, 2004) and adding the 

following new AD: 

Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. 

FAA–2011–1062; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–038–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by 

November 25, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2004–12–03, 

Amendment 39–13662 (69 FR 35235, June 

24, 2004). 

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. 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
62658 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

In 2003, a number of reports had been 

received concerning broken wires and 

corroded connectors in the SAAB 340 main 

landing gear (MLG) emergency release 

system. The investigation results showed that 

these were due to improper repairs and 

installations, not conforming to the approved 

type design. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

inhibit the functioning of the separation bolt, 

preventing proper release of the MLG during 

an emergency situation, possibly resulting in 

damage to aeroplane during landing and 

injury to the occupants. 

* * * * * 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2004– 

12–03, Amendment 39–13662 (69 FR 35235, 

June 24, 2004), With Changes 

Inspection 

(g) Within 3 months after July 29, 2004 (the 

effective date of AD 2004–12–03, 

Amendment 39–13662 (69 FR 35235, June 

24, 2004)), perform an inspection of the 

MLG’s separation bolt harness for broken 

wires and corroded connectors, and any 

applicable corrective actions by doing all of 

the actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–32–127, dated December 18, 

2002; or Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003. 

Perform the inspection/corrective actions in 

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340– 

32–127, dated December 18, 2002; or 

Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003. Perform 

any applicable corrective actions before 

further flight. 

Concurrent Service Bulletins 

(h) For Model SAAB SF340A series 

airplanes: Within 12 months after July 29, 

2004, do the actions specified in table 1 of 

this AD, as applicable. 

TABLE 1—PRIOR/CONCURRENT ACTIONS

For airplanes with serial Nos.— Accomplish all actions associated with— According to the accomplishment instructions of— 

004 through 108 inclusive ......... Modifying the MLG separation bolt’s electrical 

harness.

Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-041, Revision 01, dated October 9, 1987. 

004 through 078 inclusive ......... Modifying the MLG separation bolt’s electrical 

harness.

Saab Service Bulletin 340-32-028, Revision 01, dated November 25, 1986. 

New Requirements of This AD 

(i) Within 12 months after the effective 

date of this AD: Replace the separation bolt 

harnesses having part number (P/N) 

7292520–678 with separation bolt harnesses 

having P/N 7292520–691, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 

Service Bulletin 340–32–139, Revision 01, 

dated November 1, 2010. 

Parts Installation 

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

person may install a separation bolt harness 

having P/N 7292520–678, on any airplane. 

Credit for Actions Accomplished in 

Accordance With Previous Service 

Information 

(k) Actions done before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–32–139, dated January 12, 2010, 

are acceptable for compliance with the 

requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI 

and/or service information as follows: 

Although the MCAI states not to install a 

separation bolt having P/N 7292520–678 on 

any airplane after modification of the 

airplane, this AD states not to install a 

separation bolt having P/N 7292520–678 on 

any airplane as of the effective date of this 

AD. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(l) 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. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it 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. Information may be e-mailed to: 

9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(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. 

Related Information 

(m) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2011–0003, dated January 17, 2011; 

and the service information specified in 

paragraphs (m)(1) through (m)(5) of this AD, 

as applicable; for related information. 

(1) Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–139, 

Revision 01, dated November 1, 2010. 

(2) Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–127, 

dated December 18, 2002. 

(3) Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–127, 

Revision 01, dated January 23, 2003. 

(4) Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–041, 

Revision 01, dated October 9, 1987. 

(5) Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–028, 

Revision 01, dated November 25, 1986. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 28, 2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–26110 Filed 10–7–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1067; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–034–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker 

Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 and 

F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

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: 

As required by current certification 

standards, each transport aeroplane has 

passenger compartment exit signs and 

emergency lighting strips installed to locate 

the emergency exits. A number of these strips 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS