[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 131 (Friday, July 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41871-41873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-368-AD; Amendment 39-11808; AD 2000-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive detailed visual and dye penetrant inspections of 
the backup struts in the left and right nacelles to detect 
discrepancies; and corrective actions, if necessary. 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 failure of the backup struts in the 
left and right nacelles due to fatigue cracking, which could result in 
loss of fail-safe

[[Page 41872]]

redundancy in the design of the nacelle in terms of load capability.

DATES: Effective August 11, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

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.

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 2000 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2000 
(65 FR 30023). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed 
visual and dye penetrant inspections of the backup struts in the left 
and right nacelles to detect discrepancies; and corrective actions, if 
necessary.

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.

Explanation of Change Made to the Final Rule

    Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of the final rule have been revised to 
reference Saab Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, Revision 02, dated 
February 23, 2000, as the appropriate source of service information. 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin was referenced in the proposed rule 
as the appropriate source of service information. A new NOTE 2 has also 
been added to give credit for accomplishment of the required actions in 
accordance with Revision 01 of the service bulletin prior to the 
effective date of this AD.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,440, or $480 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-13-09  Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11808. Docket 99-NM-368-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -063 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 (d) 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 failure of the backup struts in the left and right 
nacelles due to fatigue cracking, which could result in loss of 
fail-safe redundancy in the design of the nacelle in terms of load 
capability, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections

    (a) For airplanes on which the dye penetrant inspection of the 
backup struts in the left and right nacelles specified in Saab Alert 
Service Bulletin 2000-A54-022, dated October 27, 1999, has not been 
accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Within 200 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, accomplish 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, 
Revision 02, dated February 23, 2000.


[[Page 41873]]


    Note 2: Accomplishment of the required actions in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, Revision 01, dated January 
28, 2000, prior to the effective date of this AD, is acceptable for 
compliance with this AD.

    (b) For airplanes on which the dye penetrant inspection of the 
backup struts in the left and right nacelle specified in Saab Alert 
Service Bulletin 2000-A54-022, dated October 27, 1999, has been 
accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Within 450 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, accomplish 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, 
Revision 02, dated February 23, 2000.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the upper areas of 
the backup strut around the welding in the pipe and in the 
attachment fittings to detect any discrepancy (including fatigue 
cracking or a failed backup strut) by accomplishing all actions 
specified in paragraph B.(1) of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin, in accordance with the service bulletin. 
Repeat the detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 450 flight hours.

    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids 
(e.g., mirror, magnifying lenses) may be used. Surface cleaning and 
elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (2) Perform a dye penetrant inspection, using Penetrant Type 1 
(fluorescent dye) sensitivity level 2, of the lower areas of the 
backup strut around the welding in the pipe and in the attachment 
fittings to detect any discrepancy (including fatigue cracking or a 
failed backup strut) by accomplishing all actions specified in 
paragraphs B.(2) and B.(3) of the service bulletin, as applicable, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) For airplanes on which all backup struts have accumulated 
less than 4,500 total flight hours as of the effective date of this 
AD, repeat the dye penetrant inspection thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 1,650 flight hours, until any backup strut on the airplane 
has accumulated 4,500 total flight hours; then perform the 
repetitive inspection thereafter at the interval specified by 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (ii) For airplanes on which any backup strut has accumulated 
4,500 or more total flight hours as of the effective date of this 
AD, repeat the dye penetrant inspection thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 900 flight hours.

Corrective Actions

    (c) If any discrepancy (including fatigue cracking, a failed 
backup strut, or damage to the surrounding structure of the engine 
mount) is detected during any inspection required by this AD: Prior 
to further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective actions 
(including performing additional inspections of the engine mount 
surrounding structure, and replacing any discrepant backup strut in 
the hydraulic or electrical bay areas with a new backup strut) 
specified by paragraph C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, Revision 02, dated February 23, 2000, 
in accordance with the service bulletin. For any repair condition 
for which the service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer 
for appropriate action: Prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its delegated agent). For a repair 
method to be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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. 
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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-54-023, 
Revision 02, dated February 23, 2000. 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive No. 1-150R1, dated January 31, 2000.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 11, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16924 Filed 7-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P