[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1761-1762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-502]
[[Page 1761]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-126-AD; Amendment 39-11500; AD 2000-01-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that
requires a measurement of the extension of the piston in the retract
actuator of the main landing gear (MLG); and corrective action, if
necessary. This amendment also requires repetitive replacement of the
retract actuator with a repaired retract actuator, or repetitive
replacement of the piston in the retract actuator with a new piston.
This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue
failure of the piston in the retract actuator of the MLG, and reduced
structural integrity of the MLG.
DATES: Effective February 16, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 16, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 15,
1999 (64 FR 61801). That action proposed to require a measurement of
the extension of the piston in the retract actuator of the main landing
gear (MLG); and corrective action, if necessary. That action also
proposed to require repetitive replacement of the retract actuator with
a repaired retract actuator, or repetitive replacement of the piston in
the retract actuator with a new piston.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the required measurement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the measurement
rrequired by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60
per airplane.
It will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts will be provided to the operators at no cost by
the manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
replacement required by this AD on the U.S. operators is estimated to
be $900, or $300 per airplane, per replacement.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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.
Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2000-01-03 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11500. Docket 99-NM-126-
AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers
004 through 063 inclusive, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
[[Page 1762]]
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of the piston in the retract actuator
of the main landing gear (MLG) and reduced structural integrity of
the MLG, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a
measurement of the extension of the piston (ramrod) in the retract
actuator of the MLG in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
A32-052, Revision 01, dated March 16, 1999, including Attachment 1,
dated March 16, 1999, and Attachment 2, dated March 1999. If the
extension of the piston is less than 0.59 inches (15 millimeters),
prior to further flight, perform the action required by either
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD.
Replacement
(b) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles, or
within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, accomplish the requirement specified in either
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01, dated March 16, 1999,
including Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999, and Attachment 2,
dated March 1999. Thereafter, repeat the action required by either
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed
5,000 flight cycles.
(1) Replace the retract actuator with a repaired retract
actuator.
(2) Replace the piston in the retract actuator with a new
piston.
Spares
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane, a retract actuator, part number (P/N) AIR86482-1
through AIR86482-4 inclusive, unless it has been repaired in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01,
dated March 16, 1999, including Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999,
and Attachment 2, dated March 1999.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01, dated March 16, 1999, including
Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999, and Attachment 2, dated March
1999, which includes the following list of effective pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision level shown on
Page number page Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-10............. 01--Attachment 1.......... March 16, 1999.
1-3.............. 1--Attachment 2........... March 16, 1999.
1-5.............. 2......................... March 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft
Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-138, dated March 16, 1999.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on February 16, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-502 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
