[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69061-69063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22218]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22255; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-106-AD; 
Amendment 39-14362; AD 2005-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the 
manual feather-and-unfeather system for the propellers to make the 
design of the system more robust. This AD results from reports of in-
flight engine shutdown caused by uncommanded operation of the feather 
pump of the propeller. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded 
feathering of the propeller, which could result in the shutdown of an 
engine during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 19, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 69062]]

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Saab Model 
SAAB 2000 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
September 1, 2005 (70 FR 52041). That NPRM proposed to require 
modifying the manual feather-and-unfeather system for the propellers to 
make the design of the system more robust.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions 
will take about 50 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $13,571 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators 
is $50,463, or $16,821 per airplane.

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 have 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 that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-23-04 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14362. Docket No. FAA-
2005-22255; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-106-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, serial numbers -004 through -063 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of in-flight engine shutdown 
caused by uncommanded operation of the feather pump of the 
propeller. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded feathering 
of the propeller, which could result in the shutdown of an engine 
during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modification

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the manual feather-and-unfeather system of the propellers by doing 
all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, Revision 01, dated February 17, 2005.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (g) A modification accomplished before the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, dated 
December 20, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) 
of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-198, dated February 14, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, Revision 01, 
dated February 17, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

[[Page 69063]]

Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for a copy of 
this service information. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on October 27, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22218 Filed 11-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P