19686 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

decompression of the airplane, accomplish

the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,300 total

flight cycles, or within 500 flight cycles after

the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs later, perform a one-time ultrasonic

inspection for cracking of the gantry lower

flanges in the MLG bay area, in accordance

with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 53–

11, dated October 13, 1997.

(1) If any cracking is detected, prior to

further flight, repair in accordance with the

AOT.

(2) If no cracking is detected, no further

action is required by this AD.

(b) 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.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 97–372–

236(B), dated December 3, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 15,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10488 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–100–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model

SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and

SAAB 340B series airplanes. This

proposal would require repetitive,

detailed visual inspections of the

windshield wiper assembly for

discrepant conditions, and corrective

actions, if necessary. This proposal is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent failure of the

windshield wiper assembly, which

could result in loss of visibility, damage

to the propeller(s), or penetration of the

fuselage skin and consequent

depressurization of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

100–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.

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.

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 98–NM–100–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.

98–NM–100–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is

the airworthiness authority for Sweden,

notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain Saab

Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B

series airplanes. The LFV advises that it

has received reports indicating that a

windshield wiper blade separated from

the wiper arm at the attachment point,

which consists of two rivets that

connect the wiper blade and arm tip to

the wiper arm. On one airplane, the

wiper blade struck and damaged a

propeller and was thrown into the side

of the airplane. The cause of the

detachment of the blade has been

attributed to the failure of the two rivets.

Such failure could result in loss of

visibility, damage to the propeller(s), or

penetration of the fuselage skin and

consequent depressurization of the

airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued SAAB

Service Bulletin 340–30–081, dated

November 14, 1997, including

Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated

September 14, 1997, which describes

procedures for a one-time, detailed

visual inspection of the windshield

wiper assembly for discrepant

conditions (corrosion; excessive wear;

missing, loose, or broken parts;

improper alignment; and insecure

attachment), and corrective actions, if

necessary. The corrective actions

include repairing the arm tip assembly

or replacing it with a new or serviceable

part, if necessary. Accomplishment of

the actions specified in the service

bulletin is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

The LFV classified this service bulletin

as mandatory and issued Swedish

airworthiness directive 1–115R1, dated
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 19687

November 17, 1997, in order to assure

the airworthiness of these airplanes in

Sweden.

FAA’s Conclusions

These airplane models are

manufactured in Sweden and are type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of § 21.29 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral

airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to

this bilateral airworthiness agreement,

the LFV has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA

has examined the findings of the LFV,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the proposed AD would require

accomplishment of actions specified in

the service bulletin described

previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed AD and

Service Bulletin

Operators should note that, although

the service bulletin does not contain a

recommended interval for repetitive

visual inspections, the FAA has

determined that repetitive inspections

are necessary to address the identified

unsafe condition, since discrepancies in

the windshield wiper assembly could

develop and lead to failure following

accomplishment of an inspection. In

developing an appropriate repetitive

inspection interval for this AD, the FAA

considered the degree of urgency for the

affected fleet, and the time necessary to

perform the inspection (less than one

hour). In light of these factors, the FAA

finds a 1,000-flight-hour repetitive

inspection interval to be warranted, in

that it represents an appropriate interval

of time for affected airplanes to continue

to operate between inspections without

compromising safety.

In addition, operators should note

that, although the service bulletin does

not specify repair methods, this

proposed AD would require repair in

accordance with a method approved by

either the FAA or the LFV (or its

delegated agent). In light of the type of

repair that would be required to address

the identified unsafe condition, and in

consonance with existing bilateral

airworthiness agreements, the FAA has

determined that, for this proposed AD,

a repair approved by either the FAA or

the LFV would be acceptable for

compliance with this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 254 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish the proposed inspection,

at an average labor rate of $60 per work

hour. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the actions proposed by this

AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$15,240, or $60 per airplane, per

inspection cycle.

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.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

would not have substantial direct effects

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,

in accordance with Executive Order

12612, it is determined that this

proposal would not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 (Formerly SAAB

Fairchild): Docket 98–NM–100–AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series

airplanes, manufacturer’s serial numbers 004

through 159 inclusive; and SAAB 340B series

airplanes, manufacturer’s serial numbers 160

through 399 inclusive; certificated in any

category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

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 (b) 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 failure of the windshield wiper

assembly, which could result in loss of

visibility, damage to the propeller(s), or

penetration of the fuselage skin and

consequent depressurization of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total

flight hours, or within 3 months after the

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs

later, perform a detailed visual inspection of

the windshield wiper assembly for

discrepancies (corrosion; excessive wear;

missing, loose, or broken parts; improper

alignment; and insecure attachment), in

accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340–

30–081, dated November 14, 1997, including

Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September

14, 1997.

(1) If no discrepancy is detected during the

inspection, repeat the inspection thereafter at

intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours.

(2) If any discrepancy is detected during

any inspection, prior to further flight, replace

the windshield wiper assembly with a new

or serviceable windshield wiper assembly, or

repair in accordance with a method approved

either by the Manager, International Branch,

ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, or by the Luftfartsverket (or its

delegated agent). Repeat the detailed visual

inspection thereafter at intervals not to

exceed 1,000 flight hours.

(b) 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,
19688 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

International Branch, ANM–116. Operators

shall submit their request through an

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, International Branch,

ANM–116.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

(c) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Swedish airworthiness directive 1–115R1,

dated November 17, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 15,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10487 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–115–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain British Aerospace (Jetstream)

Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal

would require installation of a warning

placard for the fire extinguisher exhaust

port located in the rear baggage bay.

This proposal is prompted by issuance

of mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent blockage of the fire

extinguisher exhaust port, which could

result in reduced fire protection in the

rear baggage bay and consequent injury

to the passengers and crewmembers.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

115–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.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

AI(R) American Support Inc., 13850

Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia

20171, USA. 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.

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 98–NM–115–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.

98–NM–115–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),

which is the airworthiness authority for

the United Kingdom, notified the FAA

that an unsafe condition may exist on

certain British Aerospace (Jetstream)

Model 4101 airplanes. The CAA advises

that an operator reported an incident in

which the fire extinguisher exhaust port

located in the rear baggage bay had been

covered with tape. The tape had been

applied during maintenance to repair a

damaged evaporator unit box that also

mounted to the exhaust port, and was

not removed. The CAA further advises

that, without the proper warning

placard, the fire extinguisher exhaust

port could again inadvertently become

covered or blocked by cargo or baggage,

which could prevent fire extinguishing

chemicals from entering the rear

baggage bay. Such blockage of the fire

extinguisher exhaust port, if not

corrected, could result in reduced fire

protection in the rear baggage bay and

consequent injury to passengers and

crewmembers.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued British

Aerospace Regional Aircraft Service

Bulletin J41–11–020, dated November

10, 1997, which describes procedures

for installation of a warning placard

near the fire extinguisher exhaust port

in the rear baggage bay. The new

placard will provide clear and visible

warning that reads: ‘‘FIRE

EXTINGUISHER EXHAUST PORT—DO

NOT OBSTRUCT OR BLANK OFF.’’

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The CAA

classified this service bulletin as

mandatory in order to assure the

continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the United Kingdom and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of § 21.29 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral

airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to

this bilateral airworthiness agreement,

the CAA has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA

has examined the findings of the CAA,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.