Document ID: FAA-2022-0507-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-07-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42068-42070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14970]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0507; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01372-T; 
Amendment 39-22114; AD 2022-14-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly 
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 
340B airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that there is no 
evidence that post-machining stress relief or de-embrittlement post-
cadmium plating treatments were performed on certain torque arm center 
pins. This AD requires replacing each affected torque arm center pin on 
the main landing gear (MLG), as specified in a European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD 
also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 18, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 18, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0507.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0507; or in person at 
Docket

[[Page 42069]]

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3220; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0273, dated December 8, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0273) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A 
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Saab AB, 
Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2022 (87 FR 
27035). The NPRM was prompted by a report that there is no evidence 
that post-machining stress relief or de-embrittlement post-cadmium 
plating treatments were performed on certain torque arm center pins. 
The NPRM proposed to require replacing each affected torque arm center 
pin on the MLG, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0273. The NPRM also 
proposed to prohibit the installation of affected parts.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address untreated torque arm center 
pins installed on any MLG, which, if not corrected, could lead to 
failure of the torque arm center pin and free swinging of the MLG, 
possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane on ground, or 
loss of the MLG hydraulic braking function. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial 
changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the 
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Accordingly, 
the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0273 specifies procedures for replacing each affected 
torque arm center pin on the MLG. EASA AD 2021-0273 also prohibits the 
installation of affected parts. This material is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 43 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product        operators *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680...........................          $2,839           $3,519         $151,317
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby
  reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
  individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

[[Page 42070]]

2022-14-09 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39-22114; Docket No. FAA-2022-0507; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01372-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 18, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A 
(SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, certificated in any category, 
as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0273, dated December 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0273).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that there is no evidence that 
post-machining stress relief or de-embrittlement post-cadmium 
plating treatments were performed on certain torque arm center pins. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address untreated torque arm center 
pins installed on any main landing gear (MLG), which, if not 
corrected, could lead to failure of the torque arm center pin and 
free swinging of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control of 
the airplane on ground, or loss of the MLG hydraulic braking 
function.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0273.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0273

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0273 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0273 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, 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 responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD. 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 
responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB, 
Support and Services' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 206-231-3220; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0273, 
dated December 8, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0273, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 27, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14970 Filed 7-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P