Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-233-AD; Amendment 39-8929; AD 94-12-02]

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series

airplanes, that requires an inspection of the elevator and aileron

coves, and further inspections and repair, if necessary. This amendment

is prompted by a report of delamination between the composite structure

and the aluminum foil on the elevator cove on a Model SAAB SF340B

series airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to

prevent jamming of the aileron or elevator.

DATES: Effective July 13, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of July 13, 1994.

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: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2145; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series

airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 1994 (59

FR 5361). That action proposed to require an inspection of the elevator

and aileron coves to verify the type of antistatic protection applied

to the coves. For coves that are found without conductive paint or

expanded aluminum foil, that action proposed to require a detailed

visual inspection and delamination tap test to detect aluminum foil

delamination on the coves; and either a temporary repair and repetitive

detailed visual inspections and delamination tap tests of the coves, or

a permanent repair of the coves. Accomplishment of the permanent repair

terminates the repetitive detailed visual inspections and delamination

tap tests.

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.

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require

the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 152 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate

is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $167,200, or $1,000 per

airplane.

The total 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.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-12-02 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-8929. Docket 93-NM-233-AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, serial

numbers -004 through -159, inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes, serial numbers -160 through -260, inclusive; certificated

in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent jamming of the aileron or elevator, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 500 hours time-in-service or 90 days after the

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an

inspection of the elevator and aileron coves to verify the type of

antistatic protection applied to the coves, in accordance with Saab

Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated November 10, 1993.

(b) If a cove has conductive paint or expanded aluminum foil

(stretched metal--aluminum net), no further action is required by

this AD for that cove.

(c) If a cove does not have conductive paint or expanded

aluminum foil (stretched metal--aluminum net), prior to further

flight, perform a detailed visual inspection and delamination tap

test to detect aluminum foil delamination on the elevator or aileron

cove, in accordance with the Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated

November 10, 1993.

(1) If no delamination is found, repeat the detailed visual

inspection and delamination tap test thereafter at intervals not to

exceed 800 hours time-in-service in accordance with the service

bulletin.

(2) If any delamination is found, prior to further flight,

accomplish either paragraph (c)(2)(i) or (c)(2(ii) of this AD.

(i) Perform a temporary repair of the cove in accordance with

the service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the detailed visual

inspection and delamination tap test required by paragraph (c) of

this AD at intervals not to exceed 800 hours time-in-service. Or

(ii) Perform a permanent repair of the cove in accordance with

the service bulletin. Accomplishment of this permanent repair

constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection

required by this AD.

(d) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

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,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 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.

(f) The inspections and repairs shall be done in accordance with

Saab Service Bulletin 340-51-012, dated November 10, 1993. 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, 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 13, 1994.

.Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-13373 Filed 6-10-94; 8:45 am]

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