Actually the guidance NOT to wait until ice has built up to a specified depth IS addressed by an AD. Here's a little more background on the Boot De-Ice info. This is specifically for the Saab 340, but the last part of the text pertains to other aircraft that were effected by the initial NPRM. You can do a search on the FAA site to find out about the particular outcome for each of the aircraft listed. I've also attached some of the background info prompting the issuance of these AD's. Hope it helps.
99-19-14 SAAB AIRCRAFT AB: Amendment 39-11303. Docket 99-NM-148-AD. Issued November 10, 1999.
Applicability: SAAB SF340A, SAAB 340B, and SAAB 2000 series airplanes equipped with pneumatic deicing boots, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To ensure that flightcrews activate the wing and tail pneumatic deicing boots at the first signs of ice accumulation on the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following requirements for activation of the ice protection systems. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
"o Except if the AFM otherwise specifies that deicing boots should not be used for certain phases of flight (e.g., take-off, final approach, and landing), compliance with the following is required.
o Wing and Tail Leading Edge Pneumatic Deicing Boot System, if installed, must be activated:
- At the first sign of ice formation anywhere on the aircraft, or upon annunciation from an ice detector system, whichever occurs first; and
- The system must either be continued to be operated in the automatic cycling mode, if available; or the system must be manually cycled as needed to minimize the ice accretions on the airframe.
o The wing and tail leading edge pneumatic deicing boot system may be deactivated only after completion of an entire deicing cycle after leaving icing conditions."
(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. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116 ACO.
NOTE 1: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116 ACO.
(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) This amendment becomes effective on December 27, 1999.
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 SAAB SF340A, SAAB 340B, and SAAB 2000 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1999 (64 FR 38365). That action proposed to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots.
Related Proposals
In addition to the proposed rule described previously, in June 1999, the FAA issued 18 other similar proposals that address the subject unsafe condition on various airplane models (see below for a listing of all 19 proposed rules). These 18 proposals also were published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1999. (Docket 99-NM-153-AD, for Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes, was also issued as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, and published in the Federal Register on August 6, 1999.) This final rule contains the FAA's responses to all relevant public comments received for each of these proposed rules.
Manufacturer Airplane Model Federal Register Number Citation
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 500, 550, and 560 Series Airplanes 99-NM-136-AD 64 FR 38374
Sabreliner Corporation Models 40, 60, 70, and 80 Series Airplanes 99-NM-137-AD 64 FR 38358
Gulfstream Aerospace Model G-159 Series Airplanes 99-NM-138-AD 64 FR 38341
McDonnell Douglas Models DC-3 and DC-4 Series Airplanes 99-NM-139-AD 64 FR 38325
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Model YS-11 and YS-11A Series Airplanes 99-NM-140-AD 64 FR 38371
Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) and G-73T Series Airplanes 99-NM-141-AD 64 FR 38355
Lockheed, Models L-14 and L-18 Series Airplanes 99-NM-142-AD 64 FR 38338
Fairchild Models F-27 and FH-227 Series Airplanes 99-NM-143-AD 64 FR 38322
Aerospatiale Models ATR-42/ATR-72 Series 99-NM-144-AD 64 FR 38368
Jetstream Model BAe ATP Airplanes 99-NM-145-AD 64 FR 38351
Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes 99-NM-146-AD 64 FR 38335
British Aerospace Model HS 748 Series Airplanes 99-NM-147-AD 64 FR 38319
Saab Model SF340A/SAAB 340B/SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes 99-NM-148-AD 64 FR 38365
CASA Model C-212/CN-235 Series Airplanes 99-NM-149-AD 64 FR 38348
Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes 99-NM-150-AD 64 FR 38332
Lockheed Model 1329-23 and 1329-25 (Lockheed Jetstar) Series Airplanes 99-NM-151-AD 64 FR 38316
de Havilland Model DHC-7/ DHC-8 Series Airplanes 99-NM-152-AD 64 FR 38362
Fokker Model F27 Mark 100/200/300/400/500/600/700/050 Series Airplanes 99-NM-153-AD 64 FR 42870
Short Brothers Model SD3-30/SD3-60/SD3-SHERPA Airplanes 99-NM-154-AD 64 FR 38329
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT
ACTION: Final rule
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Saab SAAB SF340A, SAAB 340B, and SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots. This amendment is prompted by reports of inflight incidents and an accident that occurred in icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that flightcrews activate the pneumatic wing and tail deicing boots at the first signs of ice accumulation. This action will prevent reduced controllability of the aircraft due to adverse aerodynamic effects of ice adhering to the airplane prior to the first deicing cycle.
DATES: Effective December 27, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman Martenson, Aerospace Engineer, 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.
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 SAAB SF340A, SAAB 340B, and SAAB 2000 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1999 (64 FR 38365). That action proposed to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots.
