[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 190 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56765-56767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22915]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1044; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-095-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized * * *. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.

This malfunction could cause failure of the landing gear to extend and 
lock in the extended position, which could result in a gear up landing 
and reduced controllability of the airplane on the ground. The proposed 
AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 30, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-

[[Page 56766]]

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1044; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-095-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0054, dated March 5, 2008 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized when performing checks according to the SAAB 340 Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) Report, Section F (Airworthiness Limitation 
Section) task number 323106. The valves have seized due to lack of 
internal lubrication. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.
    Because the valve lubrication performance is dependant on 
calendar time since last valve operation, SAAB has revised the check 
to cycle the emergency release handle 5 times and amended the 
interval in MRB section F from 5,000 FH [flight hours] to every 2 
years.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a functional check [for discrepancies, (e.g., landing 
gear does not extend, does not lock in down position)] of the 
landing gear emergency extension valve at the newly established 
intervals.

Malfunction of the landing gear release could cause failure of the 
landing gear to extend and lock in the extended position, which could 
result in a gear up landing and reduced controllability of the airplane 
on the ground. The corrective action for any discrepancy that is found 
is repair using a method approved by either the FAA or the EASA (or its 
delegated agent). You may obtain further information by examining the 
MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    SAAB has issued Service Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 9, 2008. 
The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 218 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $69,760, or $320 per product.

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

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with

[[Page 56767]]

this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2008-1044; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NM-095-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by October 30, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB-Fairchild SF340A (SAAB/
SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    Several landing gear emergency extension valves have been found 
seized when performing checks according to the SAAB 340 Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) Report, Section F (Airworthiness Limitation 
Section) task number 323106. The valves have seized due to lack of 
internal lubrication. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in malfunctioning of the landing gear release during an operational 
emergency.
    Because the valve lubrication performance is dependant on 
calendar time since last valve operation, SAAB has revised the check 
to cycle the emergency release handle 5 times and amended the 
interval in MRB section F from 5,000 FH [flight hours] to every 2 
years.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a functional check [for discrepancies, (e.g., landing 
gear does not extend, does not lock in down position)] of the 
landing gear emergency extension valve at the newly established 
intervals.

    Malfunction of the landing gear release could cause failure of 
the landing gear to extend and lock in the extended position, which 
could result in a gear up landing and reduced controllability of the 
airplane on the ground. The corrective action for any discrepancy 
that is found is repair using a method approved by either the FAA or 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
functional check of the landing gear emergency extension valve in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 9, 2008. Repeat the functional 
check thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found during any functional check 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: Although the MCAI includes a note that allows the option 
of the repetitive inspections to be accomplished in accordance with 
SAAB 340 MRB Report, Section F, Revision 6, task number 323106, this 
AD does not include that option. That document is not yet available.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Shahrahm Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any 
approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0054 dated 
March 5, 2008, and SAAB Service Bulletin 340-32-136, dated January 
9, 2008, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 20, 2008.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-22915 Filed 9-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P