AD NUMBER: 2018-18-17

PRODUCT: Certain Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-13-06, which applied to the airplanes listed above.

AD 2016-13-06 required a revision of the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM), repetitive inspections of the horizontal stabilizer de-icing boots, and applicable corrective actions. This AD continues to require a revision of the applicable AFM, repetitive inspections of the horizontal stabilizer de-icing boots, and applicable corrective actions.

This AD also requires replacement of single stitched de- icing boots with improved double stitched boots, and re-identification of the modified horizontal stabilizer leading edge.

This AD was prompted by reports of ruptured horizontal stabilizer de-icing boots.

DATES: This AD is effective October 18, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates estimate that this AD affects 51 airplanes of U.S. registry.  

The actions required by AD 2016-13-06, and retained in this AD take about 6 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per workhour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that are required by AD 2016-13-06 is $510 per product.

In addition:

• The FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on actions required by AD 2016-13-06, and retained in this AD take about 6 work-hours and require parts costing $9,500, for a cost of $10,010 per product. There is no way for the FAA to determine the number of aircraft that might need these actions.
• The FAA also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $13,500 per product. Based on these figures, the estimated the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $714,510, or $14,010 per product.

FMI: AD