Document ID: FAA-2014-0056-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-02-25T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10433-10435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04002]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0056; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-160-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report of rudder

[[Page 10434]]

pedal restriction which was the result of water leakage at the inlet 
tubing of an in-line heater in the lower part of the forward fuselage. 
This proposed AD would require deactivating the potable water system, 
or alternatively filling and activating the potable water system. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent rudder pedal restriction due to the 
pitch control mechanism becoming frozen as the result of water spray, 
which could prevent disconnection and normal pitch control, and 
consequently result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email 
saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0056; 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 proposed 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. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0056; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-160-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0172R1, dated September 6, 2013 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    One occurrence of rudder pedal restriction has been reported on 
a SAAB 2000 aeroplane. Subsequent investigation showed that this was 
the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing for the in-line 
heater (25HY) in the lower part of the forward fuselage (Zone 116). 
The in-line heater attachment was found ruptured, which resulted in 
water spraying in the area. Frozen water on the rudder control 
mechanism in Zone 116 then led to the rudder pedal restriction.
    Analysis after the reported event indicates that the pitch 
control mechanism (including pitch disconnect/spring unit) may also 
be frozen as a result of water spray, which would prevent 
disconnection and normal pitch control.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in further 
occurrences of reduced control of an aeroplane.
    Prompted by these findings, as a temporary action to avoid this 
potential unsafe condition, SAAB determined that the potable water 
system should be deactivated. SAAB is working on a solution that is 
expected to eliminate the consequences of water spraying in the 
area.
    To address this unsafe condition, EASA issued Emergency AD 2013-
0172-E [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2013-0172R1] to require 
deactivation of the Potable Water System.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, SAAB developed a temporary 
alternative procedure for filling, reactivation and continued 
operation of the potable water system. This procedure includes a 
visual inspection to make sure that there is no water spray in the 
lower part of the forward fuselage (Zone 116) during refilling of 
the potable water.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD is revised to 
allow application of the alternative filling procedure of the 
Potable Water System.
    This [EASA] AD is still considered to be an interim action and 
further [EASA] AD action may follow.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0056.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-38-010, dated July 12, 2013, 
and Saab Service Newsletter SN 2000-1304, Revision 01, dated September 
10, 2013, including Saab Engineering Statement to Operators 
2000PBS034334, including Attachment 1 Engineering Statement 
2000PBS034334 to SN 2000-1304. (``Attachment 1 to Saab SN 2000-1304'' 
is the Saab Engineering Statement to Operators 2000PBS034334, which 
includes Appendix 1.) The actions described in this service information 
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $85, or $85 per product.

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

[[Page 10435]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. FAA-2014-0056; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NM-160-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 11, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 004 through 
016 inclusive, 018, 022, 023, 024, 026, 029, 031, 032, 033, 035 
through 039 inclusive, 041 through 044 inclusive, 046, 047, 048, 
051, and 053 through 063 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/Waste.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of rudder pedal restriction 
which was the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing for an in-
line heater in the lower part of the forward fuselage. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent rudder pedal restriction due to the pitch 
control mechanism becoming frozen as the result of water spray, 
which could prevent disconnection and normal pitch control, and 
consequently result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Deactivation of Potable Water System

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, deactivate 
the potable water system, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-38-010, dated July 12, 
2013.

(h) Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals

    As an alternative, or subsequent, to the action required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, during each filling of the potable water 
system after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the temporary 
filling procedure, in accordance with the instructions in Saab 
Service Newsletter SN 2000-1304, Revision 01, dated September 10, 
2013, including Attachment 1 Engineering Statement to Operators 
2000PBS034334.

(i) 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: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or by the Design Approval Holder with a State of 
Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer 
to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy 
before it is returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2013-
0172R1, dated September 6, 2013, for related information. This MCAI 
may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0056.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email 
saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04002 Filed 2-24-14; 8:45 am]
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