Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 106 /Wednesday, June 3, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 30117

the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed

in British airworthiness directive 006–09–97.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

July 8, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–14217 Filed 6–2–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–134–AD; Amendment

39–10551; AD 98–11–26]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model

SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB

340B and SAAB 2000 series airplanes,

that requires modification of the check

valves of the airfoil de-icing system, or

replacement of the check valves with

improved valves. This amendment is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent failure of the check

valves, which could result in loss of

airfoil de-icing capability during single

engine operation, and consequent

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 8, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of July 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

Product Support, S–581.88, Linko ̈ping,

Sweden. This information may be

examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to

include an airworthiness directive (AD)

that is applicable to certain Saab Model

SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series

airplanes was published in the Federal

Register on April 1, 1998 (63 FR 15797).

That action proposed to require

modification of the check valves of the

airfoil de-icing system, or replacement

of the check valves with improved

valves.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. No

comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA’s

determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 125 Model

SAAB 340B and SAAB 2000 series

airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected

by this AD, that it will take

approximately 4 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required

actions, and that the average labor rate

is $60 per work hour. Required parts

will be provided by the manufacturer at

no cost to the operators. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be

$30,000, or $240 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed

above is based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the 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 adopted herein will

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 final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has

been prepared for this action and it is

contained in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it may be obtained from the Rules

Docket at the location provided under

the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Incorporation by reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends 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:

98–11–26 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB:

Amendment 39–10551. Docket 97–NM–

134–AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes, serial numbers 240 through 430

inclusive; Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes,

serial numbers 002 through 050 inclusive,

and 052; 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 check valves,

which could result in loss of airfoil de-icing
30118 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 106 /Wednesday, June 3, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

capability during single engine operation,

and consequent reduced controllability of the

airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 5 months after the effective date

of this AD, modify the left- and right-hand

check valves of the airfoil de-icing system, or

replace the check valves with improved

valves, in accordance with Saab Service

Bulletin 340–30–080, dated November 21,

1997 (for Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes), or Saab Service Bulletin 2000–30–

012, dated November 21, 1997 (for Model

SAAB 2000 series airplanes), as applicable.

(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.

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance

with Saab Service Bulletin 340–30–080,

dated November 21, 1997, or Saab Service

Bulletin 2000–30–012, dated November 21,

1997, as applicable. This incorporation by

reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be

obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB

Aircraft Product Support, S–581.88,

Linko ̈ping, Sweden. Copies may be inspected

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Swedish airworthiness directive SAD No.

1–120, dated November 24, 1997.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

July 8, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–14221 Filed 6–2–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–279–AD; Amendment

39–10555; AD 98–11–30]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa

Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER) Model EMB–145 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain EMBRAER Model

EMB–145 series airplanes, that requires

inspection of the main landing gear

(MLG) bushing seats to detect cracks,

and repair of the bushing hole or

replacement of strut bushings with new

bushings, if necessary. This amendment

also requires replacement of the plain

bearings of the MLG shock absorber

with new bearings. This amendment is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent structural failure of

the MLG due to fatigue cracking of the

strut bushing seat.

DATES: Effective July 8, 1998. The

incorporation by reference of certain

publications listed in the regulations is

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register as of July 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica

S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP

12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos—SP,

Brazil. This information may be

examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Small

Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft

Certification Office, One Crown Center,

1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450,

Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Curtis A. Jackson, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE–

117A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,

Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,

One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix

Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia

30349; telephone (770) 703–6083; fax

(770) 703–6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to

include an airworthiness directive (AD)

that is applicable to certain EMBRAER

Model EMB–145 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on

April 2, 1998 (63 FR 16170). That action

proposed to require inspection of the

main landing gear (MLG) bushing seats

to detect cracks, and repair of the

bushing hole or replacement of strut

bushings with new bushings, if

necessary. That action also proposed to

require replacement of the plain

bearings of the MLG shock absorber

with new bearings.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. No

comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA’s

determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes of

U.S. registry will be affected by this AD,

that it will take approximately 1 work

hour per airplane to accomplish the

required inspections, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the inspections required by this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$540, or $60 per airplane.

The FAA estimates that it will take

approximately 6 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required

replacement of the plain bearings, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Required parts will be provided by the

manufacturer at no cost to operators.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the replacement required by this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$3,240, or $360 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the 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 adopted herein will

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