Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29855-29857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11957]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0184; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-118-AD; 
Amendment 39-17055; AD 2012-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports that environmentally friendly de-icing agents used 
on certain electrical connectors and braids could cause corrosion 
damage. This AD requires performing, in certain locations, a detailed 
inspection for corrosion of the electrical and electronics 
installation, and if corrosion is found repairing each affected harness 
braid or replacing each affected component and/or wiring harness. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of critical system 
wiring, which could result in arcing and, in combination with other 
factors, a fire and consequent damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 25, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 25, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 28, 2012 
(77 FR 11791). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Environmentally friendly de-/anti-icing agents (acetates or 
formats) are a known cause of corrosion damage to components of the 
Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) on aeroplanes.
    Investigations by SAAB have identified certain electrical 
connectors and braids which are susceptible to such damage, in zones 
191 and 192 of the center wing fuselage and in zones 323, 332 and 
342, affecting the wiring harnesses of elevator and rudder servos.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
damage of critical system wiring, possibly resulting in arcing and, 
in combination with other factors, a fire and consequent damage to, 
or loss of, the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, SAAB have issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) 2000-92-005 and SB 2000-92-006 to provide instructions 
to detect unacceptable corrosion on electrical and electronic 
installation wiring.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [detailed] inspection of the affected components in the 
designated area, the reporting of all inspections results to SAAB 
and, depending on findings, appropriate corrective action [repair or 
replacement].

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 11791, February 28, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 10 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 360 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.

[[Page 29856]]

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $306,000, or $30,600 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $12,454, for a cost 
of $15,854 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (77 FR 11791, February 28, 
2012), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-10-06 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-17055. Docket No. 
FAA-2012-0184; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-118-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 25, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 
airplanes; certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that environmentally friendly 
de-icing agents used on certain electrical connectors and braids 
could cause corrosion damage. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct corrosion of critical system wiring, which could result in 
arcing and, in combination with other factors, a fire and consequent 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection for corrosion of the electrical and electronics 
installation, at the locations specified in and in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-
005, Revision 01, dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 
2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated August 18, 2010. These inspections 
do not need to be accomplished concurrently.

(h) Corrective Action

    If any corrosion is found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before next flight, repair each affected 
harness braid or replace each affected component and/or wiring 
harness, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, 
dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 
01, dated August 18, 2010.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using SAAB Service Bulletin 
2000-92-005, dated May 5, 2010; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-
006, dated March 29, 2010.

(j) Reporting Requirement

    Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of 
the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, using the 
Feedback Form in SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, 
dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 
01, dated August 18, 2010. Send the report to SAAB Aerotech, Support 
Services Division, SE-581 88 Linkoping, Sweden; fax +46 13 18 4874; 
email [email protected]; at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must 
include the level of corrosion found on each connector.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify

[[Page 29857]]

your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0079, dated May 
5, 2011, and the service information specified in paragraphs (l)(1) 
and (l)(2) of this AD, for related information.
    (1) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, dated March 
1, 2011.
    (2) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated August 
18, 2010.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, dated March 
1, 2011.
    (ii) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated 
August 18, 2010.
    (3) For Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems service information identified 
in this AD, contact Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 
4874; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager,Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11957 Filed 5-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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