[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34583-34585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16499]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-145-AD; Amendment 39-10622; AD 98-13-31]
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 repetitive visual inspections to detect discrepancies of the
bushing installation of the aileron actuation fitting, and eventual
installation of staked bushings in the fitting. Accomplishment of such
installation terminates the repetitive inspections. This amendment also
provides for an optional temporary preventive action, which, if
accomplished, would allow the repetitive inspection intervals to be
extended until the terminating action is accomplished. 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 fitting
lugs due to vibration caused by loose bushings in the fittings, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 30, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 30, 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
[[Page 34584]]
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 December 11,
1997 (62 FR 65231). That action proposed to require repetitive visual
inspections to detect discrepancies of the bushing installation of the
aileron actuation fitting, and eventual installation of staked bushings
in the fitting. Accomplishment of such installation terminates the
repetitive inspections. That action also proposed to provide for an
optional temporary preventive action, which, if accomplished, allows
the repetitive inspection intervals to be extended until the
terminating action is accomplished.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the repair specified
in paragraph (c) of the proposed rule be accomplished in accordance
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-014 or the commenter's Repair
Statements. The commenter states that its Repair Statements are
approved based on privileges granted by Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is
the airworthiness authority for Sweden, as part of the production
certificate for Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes.
The FAA concurs partially. The FAA does concur that it is
appropriate to allow repairs in accordance with the service bulletin,
since no repair is specified in the service bulletin for the condition
specified in paragraph (c) of this AD. However, in light of the type of
repair that would be required to address the identified unsafe
condition, and in consonance with existing bilateral airworthiness
agreements, the FAA has determined that a repair approved by the FAA,
the LFV, or the LFV's delegated agent is acceptable for compliance with
the AD.
Additionally, the FAA has included the phrase ``prior to further
flight'' in paragraph (c) of the final rule. This phrase was omitted
inadvertently from the proposal.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected
by this AD.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
required inspection on the single U.S. operator is estimated to be $60
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 4 work hours to
accomplish the required installation, and that the average labor rate
is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the
manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the required installation on the single U.S. operator is
estimated to be $240 per airplane.
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.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional temporary
preventive action provided by this AD, it would take approximately 1
work hour to accomplish it, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost
to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
optional temporary preventive action would be $60 per airplane.
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 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:
98-13-31 SAAB Aircraft: Amendment 39-10622. Docket 97-NM-145-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes having serial
numbers -002 through -023 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 (e) 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 fitting lugs, due to vibration caused
by loose bushings in the aileron actuation fittings, which could
result in reduced controllability of the airplane; accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the bushing installations of the left-hand and right-hand
aileron actuation fittings to detect any discrepancies, in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-014, Revision 02,
dated February 11, 1997.
(1) If no discrepancy is found, repeat the inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 300 flight hours until the requirements
of paragraph (b) of this AD have been accomplished. Accomplishment
of the
[[Page 34585]]
temporary preventive action specified in paragraph 2.E. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin allows the
repetitive inspections to be accomplished at intervals of 600 flight
hours until the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD have been
accomplished.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or
(a)(2)(ii) of this AD in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) Except as specified in paragraph (c), accomplish the
installation required by paragraph (b) of this AD. Accomplishment of
this installation constitutes terminating action for the
requirements of this AD. Or
(ii) Accomplish the temporary preventive action specified in
paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph
(a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours until the
requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD have been accomplished.
(b) Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this AD, within
3,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, install the
new staked bushings in the aileron actuation fitting in accordance
with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-014, Revision 02, dated February
11, 1997. Accomplishment of this installation terminates the
requirements of this AD.
(c) If, during the accomplishment of the installation required
by paragraph (a)(2)(i) or paragraph (b) of this AD, the diameter of
the small hole of the fitting lug is found to be outside the limits
specified in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-014, Revision 02, dated
February 11, 1997, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance
with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, or the Luftfartsverket
(or its delegated agent).
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane an aileron having part number, 7357995-843 (left-
hand) or 7357995-844 (right-hand), unless it has been modified in
accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD.
(e) 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.
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.
(f) 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.
(g) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions
shall be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-014,
Revision 02, dated February 11, 1997. 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. 1-102R1, dated November 8, 1996.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 30, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16499 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
