This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

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new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

7657 

Vol. 73, No. 28 

Monday, February 11, 2008 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–0212; Directorate 

Identifier 2007–NM–237–AD; Amendment 

39–15368; AD 2008–03–17] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model 

SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This 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: 

Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel 

Tank System explosions in flight * * * and 

on ground, the FAA has published Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) in 

June 2001. 

In their Letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01– 

L296 dated March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/ 

07/03–L024, dated February 3rd, 2003, the 

JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) 

recommended the application of a similar 

regulation to the National Aviation 

Authorities (NAA). 

Under this regulation, all holders of type 

certificates for passenger transport aircraft 

with either a passenger capacity of 30 or 

more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1st, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. We are issuing this AD to 

require actions to correct the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

March 17, 2008. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of March 17, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC. 

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: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on November 21, 2007 (72 FR 

65480). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel 

Tank System explosions in flight * * * and 

on ground, the FAA has published Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) in 

June 2001. 

In their Letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01– 

L296 dated March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/ 

07/03–L024, dated February 3rd, 2003, the 

JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) 

recommended the application of a similar 

regulation to the National Aviation 

Authorities (NAA). 

Under this regulation, all holders of type 

certificates for passenger transport aircraft 

with either a passenger capacity of 30 or 

more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1st, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

This Airworthiness Directive (AD), which 

renders mandatory the modification [3163] to 

separate wiring of Fuel Quantity Indication 

System [FQIS], is a consequence of the 

design review. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. Modification 3163 includes rerouting of existing wiring to the FQIS, 

installing new wires with shields to the 

FQIS, and operational and functional 

tests of the FQIS. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM or 

on the determination of the cost to the 

public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

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 required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow our FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a Note within the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

about 218 products of U.S. registry. We 

also estimate that it will take about 50 

work-hours per product to comply with 

the basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Required parts will cost about $1,500 

per product. Where the service 

information lists required parts costs 

that are covered under warranty, we 

have assumed that there will be no 

charge for these parts. As we do not 

control warranty coverage for affected 

parties, some parties may incur costs 

higher than estimated here. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of 

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7658 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

this AD to the U.S. operators to be 

$1,199,000, or $5,500 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 AD will not 

have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD will 

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 AD: 

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 

this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

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 the NPRM, 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

■ Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

2008–03–17 SaaB Aircraft AB: Amendment 

39–15368. Docket No. FAA–2007–0212; 

Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–237–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective March 17, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB 

SF340A and SAAB 340B airplanes, all serial 

numbers, certificated in any category. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 28: Fuel. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel 

Tank System explosions in flight * * * and 

on ground, the FAA has published Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) in 

June 2001. 

In their Letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01–

L296 dated March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/ 

07/03–L024, dated February 3rd, 2003, the 

JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) 

recommended the application of a similar 

regulation to the National Aviation 

Authorities (NAA). 

Under this regulation, all holders of type 

certificates for passenger transport aircraft 

with either a passenger capacity of 30 or 

more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1st, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

This Airworthiness Directive (AD), which 

renders mandatory the modification [3163] to 

separate wiring of Fuel Quantity Indication 

System [FQIS], is a consequence of the 

design review. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in 

combination with flammable fuel vapors, 

could result in fuel tank explosions and 

consequent loss of the airplane. Modification 

3163 includes re-routing of existing wiring to 

the FQIS, installing new wires with shields 

to the FQIS, and operational and functional 

test of the FQIS. 

Actions and Compliance 

(f) Within 72 months after the effective 

date of this AD, unless already done, do 

modification 3163 in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 

Bulletin 340–28–025, dated February 26, 

2007. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI 

and/or service information as follows: No 

differences. 

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, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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: 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. 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 2007–0169, dated June 15, 2007; 

and Saab Service Bulletin 340–28–025, dated 

February 26, 2007; for related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(i) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 

340–28–025, dated February 26, 2007, to do 

the actions required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB 

Aircraft Product Support, S–581.88, 

Linkoa ̈ping, Sweden. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 7659 

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

(202) 741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

30, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–2357 Filed 2–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–0298; Directorate 

Identifier 2007–NM–238–AD; Amendment 

39–15369; AD 2008–03–18] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model 

SAAB SF340A and Model SAAB 340B 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This 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: 

Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel 

Tank System explosions in flight * * * and 

on ground, the FAA has published Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) 

* * * [which] required * * * [conducting] a 

design review against explosion risks. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. We are issuing this AD to 

require actions to correct the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

March 17, 2008. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of March 17, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC. 

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: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on December 10, 2007 (72 FR 

69635). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel 

Tank System explosions in flight * * * and 

on ground, the FAA has published Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) in 

June 2001. 

In their Letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01–

L296 dated March 4, 2002 and 04/00/02/07/ 

03–L024, dated February 3, 2003, the JAA 

recommended the application of a similar 

regulation to the National Aviation 

Authorities (NAA). 

Under this regulation, all holders of type 

certificates for passenger transport aircraft 

with either a passenger capacity of 30 or 

more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

This Airworthiness Directive (AD), which 

renders mandatory the modification [2762] of 

improving the sealing of Fuel Access Doors, 

is a consequence of the design review. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. Modification 2762 includes 

removing the fuel tank access doors and 

the old type of clamp rings and gaskets, 

installing new, improved clamp rings 

and re-installing the fuel tank access 

doors, and doing related investigative 

and applicable corrective actions. 

Related investigative and applicable 

corrective actions include inspecting for 

corrosion of the wing skin panel, access 

door areas, and access doors; removing 

any corrosion found during the 

inspection; and replacing the access 

door protection plate with a new 

protection plate. Corrosion removal also 

includes inspecting the doubler flange 

and contacting Saab and doing repairs if 

the doubler flange thickness does not 

meet minimum specifications. 

Additional corrective actions include 

replacing conductive foil on the access 

door with an aluminum panel. You may 

obtain further information by examining 

the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM or 

on the determination of the cost to the 

public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

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 required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow our FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a Note within the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

about 168 products of U.S. registry. We 

also estimate that it will take about 20 

work-hours per product to comply with 

the basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Required parts will cost about $417 per 

product. Where the service information 

lists required parts costs that are 

covered under warranty, we have 

assumed that there will be no charge for 

these parts. As we do not control 

warranty coverage for affected parties, 

some parties may incur costs higher 

than estimated here. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 

to the U.S. operators to be about 

$338,856, or about $2,017 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. 

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