EASA AD No.: 2015-0129

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2015-0129 

Date: 06 July 2015

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EU 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency

[EU 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

SAAB AB, AERONAUTICS

Type/Model designation(s):

SF340A and 340B aeroplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.068

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 30 Ice and Rain Protection – Horizontal Stabilizer De-Icing Boots –

Inspection / Airplane Flight Manual – Amendment

Manufacturer(s): SAAB AB, Aeronautics (formerly SAAB Aerosystems).

Applicability: Model SF340A aeroplanes, serial numbers (s/n) 004 to 138 inclusive, if SAAB 

Modification (Mod) 1462 has been embodied in production, or SAAB Service 

Bulletin (SB) 340-55-008 has been embodied in service, except those that have 

also embodied SAAB Mod 1793 in production, or SAAB SB 340-55-010 in 

service (see Note); and SF340A aeroplanes s/n 139 to 159 inclusive.

Note: Applicable SF340A aeroplanes s/n 004-138, Post Mod No 1462 but Pre 

Mod No 1793, have a maximum flap setting of 35 degrees instead of 20 

degrees, and horizontal stabilizer boots with spanwise tubes instead of 

chordwise tubes.

Model 340B aeroplanes, s/n 160 to 459 inclusive.

Reason: There have been some reported events of ruptured horizontal stabilizer de-icing

boots. In-flight rupture of a de-icing boot will result in complete loss of the deicing function within its associated zone. In addition, in some of these events, 

the de-icing boot had formed a large open scoop.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to severe vibrations, 

possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued Alert Operations 

Bulletin (AOB) No.12 and AOB No. 23 as a temporary measure, recommending 

performing a flap 0 landing in the event of a suspected rupture of the de-icing

boot on the horizontal stabilizer.
EASA AD No.: 2015-0129

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In addition, SAAB issued SB 340-30-094 to provide instructions to inspect the 

affected de-icing boots.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires an amendment of the 

applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and, pending the development of a 

modification by SAAB, repetitive inspections of the horizontal stabilizer de-icing 

boots and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 

action(s).

This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Effective Date: 20 July 2015

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, amend the applicable 

SAAB 340 AFM to incorporate the revision stated in Appendix 1 of this AD, 

as applicable, inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 

accordingly.

(2) Within 400 flight hours (FH) or 6 months, whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of this AD, and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 400 FH,

accomplish a detailed inspection of the horizontal stabilizer de-icing boots 

in accordance with the instructions of SAAB SB 340-30-094.

(3) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (2) of this AD, any 

damage outside the limits as specified in SAAB SB 340-30-094 is found, 

before next flight, repair or replace the horizontal stabilizer de-icing boots 

in accordance with the instructions of SAAB SB 340-30-094.

(4) Repair or replacement on an aeroplane of horizontal stabilizer de-icing

boots, as required by paragraph (3) of this AD, does not constitute 

terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (2) 

of this AD for that aeroplane.

Ref. Publications: SAAB SB 340-30-094 original issue dated 27 March 2015.

SAAB AOB No. 12 original issue dated 14 March 2014.

SAAB AOB No. 23 original issue dated 14 March 2014.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 23 April 2015 as PAD 15-050 for consultation until 

21 May 2015. The Comment Response Document can be found at 

http://ad.easa.europa.eu.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact:

Saab AB, Support and Services, SE-581 88 Linköping, Sweden

Fax: +46 13 184874, E-mail: saab340.techsupport@saabgroup.com.
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Appendix 1 – AFM Changes

Model AFM Doc No AFM Revision

(see Note 3) Revision date

SF340A 340A 000 Revision 65

SF340A 340A 001 Revision 57 March 27, 2015

SF340A 340A 003 Revision 37

SF340A 340A 005 (see Note 1)

340B 340B 000 Revision 39

340B 340B 001 Revision 35 March 27, 2015

340B 340B 003 Revision 29

340B 340B 005 (see Note 2)

340B 340B 010 Revision 28 March 27, 2015

340B 340B 015 (see Note 2)

Note 1: Amending 340A 005 as required by paragraph (1) of this AD can be accomplished by 

inserting a copy of AOB No. 23 into the AFM, or by incorporating a later revision of 340A 005 

which contain the amended Abnormal Procedures.

Note 2: Amending 340B 005 and 340B 015 as required by paragraph (1) of this AD can be 

accomplished by inserting a copy of AOB No. 12 into the AFM, or by incorporating a later 

revision of 340B 005 or 340B 015 which contain the amended Abnormal Procedures.

Note 3: The use of later approved revisions than those listed in Appendix 1 of this AD is 

acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this AD.