Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38903-38906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7524; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-231-AD; 
Amendment 39-18554; AD 2016-12-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly 
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems)

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-15-04 for 
certain Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2014-
15-04 required deactivating the potable water system, or alternatively 
filling and activating the potable water system. This new AD requires 
inspecting the in-line heater for correct brazing and corrective action 
if needed, and installing a shrinkable tube on the water line and a 
spray shield on the in-line heater. This AD was prompted by a report of 
rudder pedal restriction which was the result of water leakage at the 
inlet tubing of an in-line heater in the lower part of the forward 
fuselage. This AD was also prompted by the development of a 
modification that would address the unsafe condition. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent rudder pedal restriction due to the pitch control 
mechanism becoming frozen as the result of water spray, which could 
prevent disconnection of the pitch control mechanism and normal pitch 
control, and consequently result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 20, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 20, 
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of 
September 9, 2014 (79 FR 45337, August 5, 2014).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics, 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. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue

[[Page 38904]]

SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-7524.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
7524; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-
647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 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 supersede AD 2014-15-04, Amendment 39-17906 (79 FR 45337, 
August 5, 2014) (``AD 2014-15-04''). AD 2014-15-04 applied to certain 
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on December 17, 2015 (80 FR 78702) (``the 
NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a report of rudder pedal restriction 
which was the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing of an in-line 
heater in the lower part of the forward fuselage. The NPRM was also 
prompted by the development of a modification that would address the 
unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to continue to require deactivating 
the potable water system, or alternatively filling and activating the 
potable water system. The NPRM also proposed to require inspecting the 
in-line heater for correct brazing and corrective action if needed, and 
installing a shrinkable tube on the water line and a spray shield on 
the in-line heater. We are issuing this AD to prevent rudder pedal 
restriction due to the pitch control mechanism becoming frozen as the 
result of water spray, which could prevent disconnection of the pitch 
control mechanism and normal pitch control, and consequently result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0255, dated November 25, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    One occurrence of rudder pedal restriction was reported on a 
SAAB 2000 aeroplane. Subsequent investigation showed that this was 
the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing for the in-line 
heater (25HY) in the lower part of the forward fuselage (Zone 116). 
The in-line heater attachment was found ruptured, which resulted in 
water spraying in the area. Frozen water on the rudder control 
mechanism in Zone 116 then led to the rudder pedal restriction.
    Analysis after the reported event indicated that the pitch 
control mechanism (including pitch disconnect/spring unit) may also 
be frozen as a result of water spray, which would prevent 
disconnection and normal pitch control.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in further 
occurrences of reduced control of an aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) 2000-38-10 to provide instructions to deactivate the 
Potable Water System. Consequently, EASA issued [an EASA] Emergency 
AD * * * to require that action. That [EASA] Emergency AD was 
revised and republished as EASA AD 2013-0172R1 [(http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2013-0172R1), which corresponds to FAA AD 2014-
15-04, Amendment 39-17906 (79 FR 45337, August 5, 2014)], 
introducing a temporary alternative procedure for filling, which 
would allow reactivation and operation of the Potable Water System.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, SAAB developed an in-line 
heater spray shield and a water line shrink tube to eliminate the 
consequences of a water spray leak in case of rupture of the in-line 
heater. SAAB also issued a SB 2000-38-011, providing instructions 
for inspection of the in-line heater and installation of a shrink 
tube and a spray shield.
    For reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0172R1, which is superseded, and 
requires inspection [for correct brazing] of the in-line heater [and 
corrective action if needed] and installation of shrink tube [on 
water line] and spray shield [on in-line heater].

    Corrective actions include repairing or replacing the in-line 
heater. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-7524.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 this AD as proposed, except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Saab Service Bulletin 2000-38-011, dated October 22, 
2014. The service information describes procedures for inspecting for 
correct brazing of the in-line heater, repairing or replacing the in-
line heater, and installing a shrinkable tube on the water line and a 
spray shield on the in-line heater. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2014-15-04, Amendment 39-17906 (79 FR 
45337, August 5, 2014), and retained in this AD take about 1 work-hour 
per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts cost $0 per product. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the actions that are required by AD 2014-15-04 is $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it takes about 6 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $3,650 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $4,160.

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.

[[Page 38905]]

    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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-15-04, Amendment 39-17906 (79 FR 45337, August 5, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-12-05 Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aerosystems): Amendment 39-18554. Docket No. FAA-2015-7524; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-231-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 20, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-15-04, Amendment 39-17906 (79 FR 45337, 
August 5, 2014) (``AD 2014-15-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (formerly known as 
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, serial numbers 004 through 016 inclusive, 018, 022, 
023, 024, 026, 029, 031, 032, 033, 035 through 039 inclusive, 041 
through 044 inclusive, 046, 047, 048, 051, and 053 through 063 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/Waste.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of rudder pedal restriction 
which was the result of water leakage at the inlet tubing of an in-
line heater in the lower part of the forward fuselage. This AD was 
also prompted by the development of a modification that would 
address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
rudder pedal restriction due to the pitch control mechanism becoming 
frozen as the result of water spray, which could prevent 
disconnection of the pitch control mechanism and normal pitch 
control, and consequently result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Retained Deactivation of Potable Water System With New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2014-15-04, with a new exception. Except as provided by paragraph 
(l) of this AD, within 30 days after September 9, 2014 (the 
effective date of AD 2014-15-04), deactivate the potable water 
system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-38-010, dated July 12, 2013.

(h) Retained Alternative to Deactivation of Potable Water System With 
No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2014-15-04, with no changes. As an alternative, or subsequent, to 
the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD, during each filling 
of the potable water system after September 9, 2014, accomplish the 
temporary filling procedure, in accordance with the instructions in 
Saab Service Newsletter SN 2000-1304, Revision 01, dated September 
10, 2013, including Attachment 1 Engineering Statement to Operator 
2000PBS034334, Issue A, dated September 9, 2013.

(i) New Inspection and Installation

    At the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, concurrently accomplish the actions 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
38-011, dated October 22, 2014.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection for correct brazing of the in-line 
heater, and if any discrepancy is found, before further flight, and 
before accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph 
(i)(2) of this AD, accomplish all applicable corrective actions.
    (2) Install a shrink tube on the water line and a spray shield 
on the in-line heater.

(j) Compliance Times for Inspection and Installation

    Do the actions specified in paragraph (i) of this AD at the 
applicable times specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) For airplanes having had the potable water system 
reactivated and operated using the alternative filling procedure 
specified in Saab Service Newsletter SN 2000-1304, Revision 01, 
dated September 10, 2013, including Attachment 1 Engineering 
Statement to Operator 2000PBS034334, Issue A, dated September 9, 
2013: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes having the potable water system deactivated 
using procedures specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-38-010, dated July 12, 2013: Before 
further flight after the reactivation of the potable water system.

(k) Terminating Actions for the Deactivation of the Potable Water 
System

    Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2014-15-04 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraphs 
(g) and (h) of this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement

[[Page 38906]]

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the 
action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(m) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2014-0255, 
dated November 25, 2014, for related information. This MCAI may be 
found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-7524.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 20, 2016.
    (i) Saab Service Bulletin 2000-38-011, dated October 22, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
September 9, 2014 (79 FR 45337, August 5, 2014).
    (i) Saab Service Bulletin 2000-38-010, dated July 12, 2013.
    (ii) Saab Service Newsletter SN 2000-1304, Revision 01, dated 
September 10, 2013, including Attachment 1 Engineering Statement to 
Operator 2000PBS034334, Issue A, dated September 9, 2013.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
AB, Saab Aeronautics, 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13740 Filed 6-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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