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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22007-22009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9279]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0042; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-16664; AD 2011-09-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A 
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes Modified in Accordance With 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or 
SA984GL-D

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires inspecting the fuselage surface 
for corrosion and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the 
antennae installation, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by 
a report of a crack found behind the external adapter plate of the 
antennae during inspection. Similar cracking was found on two 
additional airplanes, and extensive corrosion was found on one 
airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and 
cracking behind the external adapter plate of the antennae of certain 
damage-tolerant structure, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity and consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective May 25, 2011.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200

[[Page 22008]]

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Griffith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) (the 
``second supplemental NPRM'') to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an 
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to the specified 
products. That second SNPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
January 20, 2011 (76 FR 3564). That second SNPRM proposed to require 
inspecting the fuselage surface for corrosion and cracking behind the 
external adapter plate of the antennae installation, and repair if 
necessary.

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.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the supplemental NPRM to 
identify model designations as published in the most recent type 
certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described 
previously. We also determined that this change will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 201 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The inspection will take about 4 work-hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $68,340, or $340 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

    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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-09-02 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-16664; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0042; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-010-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective May 25, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems airplanes, 
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, that have been modified in accordance with 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00224WI-D, ST00146WI-D, or 
SA984GL-D.
    (1) Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) airplanes, serial numbers 004 
through 159 inclusive.
    (2) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, serial numbers 160 through 459 
inclusive.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found behind the 
external adapter plate of the antennae during inspection. Similar 
cracking was found on two additional airplanes, and extensive 
corrosion was found on one airplane. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct corrosion and cracking behind the external 
adapter plate of the antennae of certain damage-tolerant structure, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity and consequent 
rapid depressurization of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified.

Inspection/Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Remove the external adapter plate of the antennae installation 
and do a general visual inspection of the fuselage surface for 
corrosion and cracking behind the external adapter plate of the 
antennae installation. If any corrosion or cracking is found, repair 
before further flight. If no corrosion or cracking is found, before 
further flight, ensure that proper corrosion protection has been 
applied before reinstalling the adapter plate. Do all the actions 
required by this paragraph in accordance with a method approved by 
the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

    Note 1:  For the purposes of this AD, a general visual 
inspection is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection 
area. This level of inspection is made under normally available 
lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, 
or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

[[Page 22009]]

Reporting Requirement

    (h) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the positive findings of the 
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Send the report to 
the Manager, Wichita ACO. The report must contain, at a minimum, the 
inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the 
airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles and flight 
hours on the airplane since installation of the STC.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (3) A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Special Flight Permit

    (i) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, but 
concurrence by the Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, is required prior to 
issuance of the special flight permit.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, 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 
manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) 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.

Related Information

    (k) For more information about this AD, contact William 
Griffith, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4116; fax (316) 946-4107.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9279 Filed 4-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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