[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61801-61803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29741]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-126-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes. This proposal would require a measurement of the
extension of the piston in the retract actuator of the main landing
gear (MLG); and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal also
would 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. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received by December 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-126-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
[[Page 61802]]
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-126-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-126-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. LFV advises that it has received
a report of fatigue failure of a piston (ramrod) in the retract
actuator of the main landing gear (MLG). The cause of this failure may
be excessive loads as a result of the piston bottoming in the cylinder,
which causes cracks to develop in the piston. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in failure of a piston in the MLG and reduced
structural integrity of the MLG.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued 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 describes procedures for a
measurement of the extension of the piston in the retract actuator of
the MLG; and corrective action, if necessary. The corrective action
involves replacing either the retract actuator with a repaired retract
actuator, or the piston in the retract actuator with a new piston, if
necessary. The service bulletin also describes procedures for
repetitive replacement of these components. LFV classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD
No. 1-138, dated March 16, 1999, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, LFV has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of LFV,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
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 would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed measurement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the measurement
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60
per airplane.
It would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would be provided to the operators at no cost by
the manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
replacement proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
[[Page 61803]]
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:
Saab Aircraft AB: 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.
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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive SAD No 1-138, dated March 16, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29741 Filed 11-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
