Document ID: FAA-2019-0669-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes
Posted Date: 2019-09-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 177 (Thursday, September 12, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48083-48085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19505]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 177 / Thursday, September 12, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 48083]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly 
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-03-19, which applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 
2000 airplanes. AD 2019-03-19 requires a functional check of certain 
fuel probes, and replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2019-03-19, the agency has determined the 
definition of a ``serviceable part'' must be revised. This proposed AD 
would retain a functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement 
with a serviceable part if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 28, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 NPRM, contact Saab AB, 
Saab Aeronautics, 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 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

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-2019-
0669; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. The 
FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, 
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19''), for all Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2019-03-19 requires a 
functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a 
serviceable part if necessary. AD 2019-03-19 resulted from reports that 
certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine 
indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA issued AD 2019-03-
19 to address deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could 
lead to incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation 
and uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced 
control of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2019-03-19 Was Issued

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model 
SAAB 2000 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported that certain fuel probes, installed on 
SAAB 2000 aeroplanes, indicated misleading fuel quantities on the 
engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The 
investigation results suggest that this may be an ageing phenomenon, 
leading to deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shut-down, with consequent reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued the SB 
[service bulletin] to provide instructions for a functional check.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time functional check of the fuel quantity system and the fuel low 
level EICAS warnings to determine whether any affected parts are out 
of tolerance and, depending on findings, replacement of those 
affected parts.
    This [EASA] AD is revised to amend the definition of a 
serviceable part.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http:/
/

[[Page 48084]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0669.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    This proposed AD would require Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018, which the Director of the Federal Register 
approved for incorporation by reference as of April 2, 2019 (84 FR 
6062, February 26, 2019).
    This service information 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.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA 
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD 
because the agency evaluated all the relevant information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2019-
03-19, except a revised definition of a ``serviceable part'' is 
included in this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2019-03-19...  8 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $680          $5,440
                                         hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170....          $6,295           $6,465
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The new definition of a ``serviceable part'' specified in this 
proposed AD adds no additional economic burden.

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the 
Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) 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 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019), and 
adding the following new AD:

Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab 
Aerosystems): Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; Product Identifier 2019-NM-
091-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by October 28, 2019.

[[Page 48085]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, 
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (formerly known 
as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes 
indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine indicating and 
crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Definitions With New Definition of a Serviceable Part

    This paragraph restates paragraph (g) of AD 2019-03-19, with a 
new definition of a ``serviceable part.''
    (1) An ``affected part'' is a fuel probe having part number (P/
N) 20136-0101, P/N 20136-0102, P/N 20136-0103, P/N 20136-0104, P/N 
20136-0105, or P/N 20136-0106; with fuel low level sensors having P/
N 20137-0101.
    (2) A ``serviceable part'' is defined in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) 
and (ii) of this AD. The definition has been changed as of the 
effective date of this AD. Operators who have already complied with 
paragraph (i) of this AD before the effective date of this AD do not 
need to redo the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD 
using the new definition of a serviceable part.
    (i) Before the effective date of this AD: A ``serviceable part'' 
is an affected part that has accumulated less than 1,500 total 
flight hours or 12 months since first installation on an airplane.
    (ii) On or after the effective date of this AD: A ``serviceable 
part'' is an affected part that has accumulated less than 1,500 
total flight hours or 12 months since first installation on an 
airplane, having been checked and found to be within the acceptable 
tolerances, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 2018, or received 
as serviceable following repair or overhaul.

(h) Retained Functional Check With No Changes

    This paragraph restates paragraph (h) of AD 2019-03-19, with no 
changes. Within 1,500 flight hours or 12 months after April 2, 2019 
(the effective date of AD 2019-03-19), whichever occurs first, 
accomplish a functional check of the fuel indicator gauging accuracy 
and the low level warning, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 
2018.

(i) Retained Corrective Action With No Changes

    This paragraph restates paragraph (i) of AD 2019-03-19, with no 
changes. If the functional check required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD is found to be out of tolerance, within the limits and under the 
applicable conditions, as specified in the operator's Minimum 
Equipment List (MEL), replace the affected part with a serviceable 
part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 2018.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, an affected part, unless it is a serviceable part, as 
defined in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions 
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA; or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019, 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 Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0669.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
    (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 
saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; internet http://www.saabgroup.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on September 3, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19505 Filed 9-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P