AD 98-21-19

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.

Final rule

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.

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.

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.

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 bythe 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 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: