[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19686-19688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10487]


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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).

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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, Linkoping, 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

[[Page 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 
Sec. 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.


Sec. 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,

[[Page 19688]]

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 
Secs. 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