03-24841. 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 an inspection to detect chafing or damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, applicable corrective action(s) if necessary, and installation of harnesses. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires modifying the collector tank walls. This action is necessary to prevent chafing damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, which could cause misleading data and erroneous fuel pump cautions to be displayed to the flightcrew, and could result in electrical arcing with consequent increased potential for fire or explosion in the fuel tank. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective November 7, 2003.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Linköping, 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:

Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 July 21, 2003 (68 FR 43042). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect chafing or damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, applicable corrective action(s) if necessary, and installation of harnesses. For certain airplanes, that action also proposed to require modifying the collector tank walls.

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.

Changes to Final Rule

Paragraph (e) of the proposed AD states: “For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install new electrical wire harnesses by accomplishing all the actions specified in paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001.” In preparing this final rule, we re-examined the requirements of the proposed AD, and in doing so, we find it necessary to clarify that our intent in including paragraph (e) was NOT to require that all operators install “new” electrical wire harnesses. Rather, paragraph (e) was intended to capture the recommendation in paragraph 2.E. of the service bulletin, which addresses installation of harnesses following inspection, corrective actions (which may include installing new harnesses for some airplanes), and modification (if applicable).

For purposes of clarifying the requirements of this AD, we have combined paragraphs (a) through (e) of the proposed AD into paragraphs (a) and (b) of this final rule to reference accomplishing the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 80 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $455 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $16,965, or $5,655 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2003-20-04 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13322. Docket 2001-NM-372-AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers SAAB 2000-004 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 (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 chafing damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, which could cause misleading data and erroneous fuel pump cautions to be displayed to the flightcrew, and could result in electrical arcing with consequent increased potential for fire or explosion in the fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection to detect chafing or damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks (including any applicable repair or replacement of electrical wire harnesses) by accomplishing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001. Do the actions per the service bulletin. Any applicable repair or replacement of an electrical wire harness with a new electrical wire harness must be accomplished before further flight.

Note 2:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”

Modification (for Certain Airplanes)

(b) For airplanes having serial numbers SAAB 2000-007 through -063 inclusive: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the collector tank walls by accomplishing all the actions specified in paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 3:

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

(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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001. 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, Link”ping, 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 4:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish airworthiness directive 1-168, dated October 1, 2001.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 7, 2003.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 25, 2003.

Ali Bahrami,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.