Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54567-54569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26965]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-190-AD; Amendment 39-10828; AD 98-21-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
currently requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in the 
cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for optional terminating 
action for that deactivation. This amendment removes the optional 
terminating action of the existing AD and adds airplanes to the 
applicability of the existing AD. 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 short circuiting between the flight attendant's 
floormat heater and the floor panel, which could cause overheating of 
the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane cabin.

DATES: Effective November 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of October 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, 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) by superseding AD 97-20-06, 
amendment 39-10144 (62 FR 50250, September 25, 1997), which is 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1998 (63 FR 42598). The 
action currently requires deactivation of certain floormat heaters in 
the cabin area. In addition, that AD provides for optional terminating 
action for that deactivation. This action proposed to remove the 
optional terminating action and to add airplanes to the applicability 
of the existing AD.

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.

[[Page 54568]]

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 3 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The deactivation that is currently required by AD 97-20-06, and 
retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the deactivation currently required 
by AD 97-20-06 on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10144 (62 FR 
50250, September 25, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-10828, to read as follows:

98-21-19  Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10828. Docket 98-NM-190-AD. 
Supersedes AD 97-20-06, Amendment 39-10144.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -064 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 (c)(1) 
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 short circuiting between the flight attendant's 
floormat heater and the floor panel, which could cause overheating 
of the floormat heater and lead to smoke or fire in the airplane 
cabin, accomplish the following:

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 97-20-06

    (a) For airplanes having serial numbers -004 through -039 
inclusive, on which Saab Modification No. 5780, as specified in Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-53-020, Revision 02, dated October 18, 1996, 
has not been accomplished: Within 14 days after October 30, 1997 
(the effective date of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144), deactivate 
the flight attendant's floormat heater by either disconnecting 
electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater and the floor 
panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 
23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, 
dated April 3, 1998.

New Requirements of this AD

    (b) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a) 
of this AD: Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, 
deactivate the flight attendant's floormat heater by either 
disconnecting electrical cable HW71-20 between the floormat heater 
and the floor panel, or by removing fuse 17HW (1) on panel 306VU, in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, 
dated January 23, 1996, or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, 
Revision 01, dated April 3, 1998.
    (c)(1) 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, 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.
    (c)(2) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the 
deactivation, approved previously in accordance with AD 97-20-06, 
amendment 39-10144, are approved as alternative methods of 
compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c)(3) Alternative methods of compliance relating to the 
optional terminating action of AD 97-20-06, amendment 39-10144, 
approved previously in accordance with that AD, are not considered 
to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The deactivation shall be done in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996, 
or Saab Alert Service Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, dated 
April 3, 1998.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Saab Alert Service 
Bulletin 2000-A25-080, Revision 01, dated April 3, 1998, is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin 
2000-A25-022, Revision 01, dated January 23, 1996, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 30, 
1997 (62 FR 50250, September 25, 1997).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft 
Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, 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 1-124, dated March 30, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1998.


[[Page 54569]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 1, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26965 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
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