- Effective
- August 20, 1998
- Published
- July 16, 1998 · 63 FR 38284–38285
- Models
- SAAB 340B, 340A (SAAB SF340A)
- Data sheet
- TCDSA52EU
- Registered aircraft
- 66 matched by model
- Product
- Aircraft · Large airplane
- Amendment
- 39-10661
- Docket
- 98-NM-117-AD
- Issued as
- Final rule
Unofficial copy of the text in the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition. DRS record last changed May 30, 2024.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official PDF | 116 KB | 6986c7fb…2bfe7ed | 98-18774.pdf on govinfo.gov |
| FAA DRS HTML | 41 KB | f331265c…18f320c | FAA DRS (API key needed) |
| Federal Register text | 9 KB | e18b9f1a…3b13b77 | 98-18774.txt on federalregister.gov |
On this page
Summary
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes, that requires modification of the detachable center inlet component of the air intake system of the engine. 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 fuel and/or oil that may be present in the nacelle from entering the air intake system of the engine, which could result in a possible engine fire.
The airworthiness directive
98-15-10 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB (Formerly SAAB Fairchild): Amendment 39-10661. Docket 98-NM-117-AD. Applicability: Model SAAB SF340A and Model SAAB 340B series airplanes, as listed in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-30-073, dated August 18, 1997; 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 (b) 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 toaddress it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fuel and/or oil that may be present in the nacelle from entering the air intake system of the engine, which could result in a possible engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify the detachable center inlet component of the air intake system of the engine, in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-073, dated August 18, 1997, including Attachment 1, dated March 6, 1997.
(b) 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, 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.
NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(c) 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.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-30-073, dated August 18, 1997, including Attachment 1, dated March 6, 1997. 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.
NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish airworthiness directive 1-119, dated August 21, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 20, 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.
Rule preamble
The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.
Supplementary information
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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 May 20, 1998 (63 FR 27694). That action proposed to require modification of the detachable center inlet component of the air intake system of the engine.
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 The FAA estimates that 135 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $16,200, or $120 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 certifythat 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.
39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Affected TCDS · 1
The type certificate data sheets for the models this AD names, matched by model and maker.
Registered aircraft · 66
Registered aircraft whose airframe or engine model this AD names. Matched by model only, so check each against the AD’s applicability.
| 1985 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 4 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 1 |
29 with no year recorded