# AD 2008-03-17: Fuel tank systems - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems SAAB 340B and 340A (SAAB SF340A) - Effective: March 17, 2008 - Published: February 11, 2008, 73 FR 7657–7659 - Issued: January 30, 2008 - Issued as: Final rule - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane - ATA chapter: 28 · Fuel - Amendment: 39-15368 - Docket: FAA-2007-0212 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2007-0212) - Project: 2007-NM-237-AD - Registered aircraft: 66 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/11/d7/11d72633bdc5f4ba3e0678ed47482c75a6d8fad374b0c8fcef3acdea6388cad5 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2008-02-11/pdf/E8-2357.pdf) - Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/02/11/E8-2357/airworthiness-directives-saab-model-saab-sf340a-and-saab-340b-airplanes - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/075B049F8EFAD4D6862573EC005BBE2E.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-03-17 ## 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 airworthiness directive ### Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 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. ### (a) Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 17, 2008. ### (b) Affected ADs (b) None. ### (c) Applicability (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. ### (d) Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel. ### (e) 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. ### (f) 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. ### (g) 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. ### (h) 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. ### (i) 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, Linkoäping, Sweden. (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/ibr-locations.html. ## Rule preamble ### 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. ### 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 re-routing 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 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. ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A52EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A52EU): Saab AB; names 2 of 2 models: 340A (SAAB SF340A), SAAB 340B ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 66 (66 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Saab-Scania 42, Saab 15, Saab-Fairchild 8, Saabscania 1 Models with the most aircraft: - [Saab-Scania SAAB 340B](https://openairdocs.org/model/saab-scania-saab-340b): 42 aircraft (airframe model) - [Saab SAAB 340B](https://openairdocs.org/model/saab-saab-340b): 15 aircraft (airframe model) - [Saab-Fairchild 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/saab-fairchild-340a): 8 aircraft (airframe model) - [Saabscania SAAB 340B](https://openairdocs.org/model/saabscania-saab-340b): 1 aircraft (airframe model) All 6 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-03-17/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-03-17/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [Proposed rule FAA-2007-0212](https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2007-0212): Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published Nov 21, 2007 Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.