98-28156. Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 56541-56542]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-28156]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-NM-191-AD; Amendment 39-10848; AD 98-22-02]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
    requires replacement of the outboard trunnion pin of the shock strut on 
    the main landing gear (MLG) with a new and improved outboard trunnion 
    pin. 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 failure of the 
    outboard trunnion pin due to fatigue cracking, which could result in 
    collapse of the MLG.
    
    DATES: Effective November 27, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of November 27, 1998.
    
    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 August 26, 
    1998 (63 FR 45421). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
    outboard trunnion pin of the shock strut on the main landing gear (MLG) 
    with a new and improved outboard trunnion pin.
    
    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.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
    labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
    manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
    cost impact of the replacement required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
    estimated to be $360, or $120 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 substantial direct 
    effects 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, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        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
    
    [[Page 56542]]
    
    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:
    
    98-22-02  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-10848. Docket 98-NM-191-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
    -002 through -050 inclusive, -052, and -053; 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 (c) 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.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent failure of the outboard trunnion pin due to fatigue 
    cracking, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear 
    (MLG), accomplish the following:
        (a) Prior to the accumulation of 8,200 total landings, or within 
    60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
    replace the outboard trunnion pin of the shock strut on the MLG with 
    a new and improved outboard trunnion pin, in accordance with Saab 
    Service Bulletin 2000-32-042, dated March 27, 1998, including 
    Attachments 1 and 2, dated June 1997.
        (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
    on any airplane an outboard trunnion pin having part number (P/N) 
    AIR132900 or AIR134608.
        (c) 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.
    
        (d) 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.
        (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with SAAB 
    Service Bulletin 2000-32-042, dated March 27, 1998, including 
    Attachments 1 and 2, dated June 1997, which contains the following 
    list of effective pages:
    
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                                      Revision level
              Page number             shown on page     Date shown on page
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    1-3............................  Original.......  March 27, 1998.
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                                  Attachment 1
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1-4............................  1..............  June 1997.
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                                  Attachment 2
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    1-4............................  2..............  June 1997.
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        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 1-123, dated March 30, 1998.
    
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 27, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1998.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-28156 Filed 10-21-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/27/1998
Published:
10/22/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-28156
Dates:
Effective November 27, 1998.
Pages:
56541-56542 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-NM-191-AD, Amendment 39-10848, AD 98-22-02
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-28156.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13