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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 153-155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30428]

[[Page 153]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0460; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-222-AD; 
Amendment 39-18054; AD 2014-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340B airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
a report that the elevator position quoted in an aircraft maintenance 
manual is incorrect and a report that the trunnion at the lower part of 
the control column was installed incorrectly. This AD requires an 
inspection of the stick pusher rigging and an inspection of the 
installation of the trunnion and the stick pusher rigging, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
rigging of the elevator position of the stick pusher to reduce the 
probability of a negative effect on the handling quality during stall, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 9, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 9, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0460 or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab AB, 
Saab Aeronautics, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 
18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Saab AB, 
Saab Aerosystems Model 340B airplanes. The SNPRM published in the 
Federal Register on August 12, 2014 (79 FR 47025). We preceded the 
SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the 
Federal Register on June 3, 2013 (78 FR 33010).
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0253, dated October 18, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Saab AB, Saab 
Aerosystems Model 340B airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The standard stick pusher maximum elevator position of a SAAB 
340B, prior to delivery, is set at 7.5 degrees trailing edge down. 
It was recently discovered that this value has been incorrectly 
referenced in the SAAB 340B Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), which 
quotes an elevator position of 4 degrees trailing edge down for all 
aeroplanes, which is the correct value for SAAB SF340A aeroplanes 
only.
    If a SAAB 340B aeroplane has been re-rigged in accordance with 
current AMM procedure, there is a possibility that the deflection of 
the elevator will be less than intended.
    This condition, if not corrected, will affect the stall 
characteristics on the outer part of the envelope at maximum flap 
setting and aft centre of gravity (CG) configuration, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB AB Aeronautics 
issued Service Bulletin (SB) 340-27-105 to reduce the probability of 
a negative effect on the handling quality during stall. 
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2012-0256 [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0460-0002] to require a one-time 
inspection of the stick pusher rigging and, depending on findings, 
adjustment to the correct setting.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it has been reported that on 
some aeroplanes, during implementation of SB 340-27-105, the 
trunnion at the lower part of the control column was incorrectly 
installed. This prevents proper inspection of the stick pusher 
rigging.
    Prompted by this finding, SAAB issued SB 340-27-115 with 
instructions for all aeroplanes, regardless whether SB 340-27-105 
has been accomplished or not.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2012-0256, which is superseded, but requires 
the use of the improved and expanded instructions specified in SAAB 
SB 340-27-115.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0460-0005.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM (79 FR 47025, August 12, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM (79 FR 47025, August 12, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM (79 FR 47025, August 12, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 109 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 12 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $112,270, or $1,030 per product.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.

[[Page 154]]

Therefore, all reporting associated with this AD is mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the 
burden should be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
AES-200.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0460; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2014-26-03 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-18054. Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0460; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-222-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 9, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340B 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the elevator position 
quoted in an aircraft maintenance manual is incorrect and a report 
that the trunnion at the lower part of the control column was 
installed incorrectly. We are issuing this AD to correct the rigging 
of the elevator position of the stick pusher to reduce the 
probability of a negative effect on the handling quality during 
stall, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection of the installation of the trunnion at the lower 
part of the control column and the stick pusher rigging, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 340-27-115, dated July 19, 2013.

(h) Corrective Actions

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
an incorrect setting of the stick pusher maximum elevator position 
is found, or if the trunnion at the lower part of the control column 
is installed incorrectly, before further flight, accomplish all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-27-115, dated July 19, 
2013; except where Saab Service Bulletin 340-27-115, dated July 19, 
2013, specifies to contact SAAB for corrective action, repair before 
further flight, using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab 
Aerosystems' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Reporting Requirement

    After accomplishing corrective actions as required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, record any incorrect rigging value that was detected 
and send a report to: Saab AB, Business Area Support and Services, 
Air Division, Technical Support, email: 
[email protected]; fax: +46 (0) 13 18 48 74; at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD.
    (1) If the corrective action was done on or after the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after 
accomplishing the corrective action.
    (2) If the corrective action was done before the effective date 
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved

[[Page 155]]

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems' EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0253, dated October 18, 2013, for 
related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-
0460-0005.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Saab Service Bulletin 340-27-115, dated July 19, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
AB, Saab Aeronautics, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30428 Filed 1-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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