Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18525-18527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8613]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-178-AD; Amendment 39-12171; AD 2001-07-06]
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 a modification involving nondestructive test inspections of 
the 34 fastener holes in each rear wing spar, corrective action, if 
necessary, and cold working of the holes to increase fatigue life of 
the rear spar web. 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 cracking, which could result in fuel leakage and reduced 
structural integrity of the wings.

DATES: Effective May 15, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 15, 2001.

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.

[[Page 18526]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 January 16, 
2001 (66 FR 3516). That action proposed to require a modification 
involving nondestructive test inspections of the 34 fastener holes in 
each rear wing spar, corrective action, if necessary, and cold working 
of the holes to increase fatigue life of the rear spar web.

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 64 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections and modification, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
be supplied by the manufacturer without cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $11,520, or $3,840 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-07-06  SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-12171. Docket 2000-NM-
178-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-003 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 fuel leakage and reduced structural integrity of the 
wings due to fatigue cracking, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD: Prior to the 
accumulation of 13,000 total flight cycles, accomplish the 
modification of the rear spar on both wings (including applicable 
nondestructive test inspections to detect discrepancies (including 
cracking, scratches, or other damage, and incorrect hole size) and 
cold working of fastener holes), in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-57-037, dated April 13, 2000.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
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.''

Repair

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, or the 
Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its delegated agent). For a repair method 
to be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, as 
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

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. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and who will 
then send the requests and comments 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.

[[Page 18527]]

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-037, 
dated April 13, 2000. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-157, dated April 13, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 15, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 2, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8613 Filed 4-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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