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

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24399-24402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11267]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0450; Product Identifier 2018-NM-073-AD; Amendment 
39-19295; AD 2018-11-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD requires a 
one-time inspection of the aileron bellcrank support brackets and a 
thickness measurement of the affected lug attaching the support 
bracket; repetitive inspections of the affected aileron bellcrank 
support brackets; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also 
provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
This AD was prompted by the identification of a manufacturing defect on 
certain aileron bellcrank support brackets that resulted in the 
material thickness of the affected lug attaching the support bracket to 
the rear spar of the wing to be insufficient. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

[[Page 24400]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective June 13, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of June 13, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0450.

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-2018-
0450; 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 this AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0103, dated April 30, 2018 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model 
SAAB 2000 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A manufacturing defect was identified on certain aileron 
bellcrank support brackets, installed on the outboard section of the 
left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) wing. The material thickness of 
the lugs attaching the support bracket to the rear spar of the wing 
was found to be insufficient.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could, in case of 
an aileron jamming, lead to support bracket failure, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued the SB 
[Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018] to provide 
instructions for inspection and replacement of affected support 
brackets.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of all support brackets to determine the thickness 
and, depending on findings, repetitive inspections of the affected 
support brackets. This [EASA] AD also requires reporting the 
measured thickness, and replacement of all affected support brackets 
with serviceable support brackets, which constitutes terminating 
action.

    You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0450.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics has issued Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-
056, dated April 18, 2018. The service information describes procedures 
for a detailed visual inspection for cracks, corrosion, and damage 
(including missing paint) of the affected lug and the adjacent area of 
the installed aileron bellcrank support brackets on the left hand and 
right hand wing; a thickness measurement of the affected lug attaching 
the support bracket to the rear spar of the wing, and replacement of 
aileron bellcrank support brackets. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Difference Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires replacing all affected support brackets. However, 
the planned compliance time for the replacement would allow enough time 
to provide notice and opportunity for prior public comment on the 
merits of the replacement. Therefore, we are considering a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) requiring this replacement, which would 
terminate the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
material thickness of the affected lug attaching the aileron bellcrank 
support bracket to the rear spar of the wing have been found to be 
insufficient, which, in the event of an aileron jam, could lead to 
support bracket failure and possible reduced control of the airplane. 
Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment 
before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0450; Product 
Identifier 2018-NM-073-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on 
those comments.

[[Page 24401]]

    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255..............................              $0            $255          $2,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required based on the results of any required 
actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 16 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $18,074.....  Up to $19,434.
 hour = $1,360.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be $85 per 
product.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 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 control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is 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.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2018-11-07 Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aerosystems): Amendment 39-19295; Docket No. FAA-2018-0450; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-073-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 13, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 24402]]

(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, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the identification of a manufacturing 
defect on certain aileron bellcrank support brackets that resulted 
in the material thickness of the affected lug attaching the support 
bracket to the rear spar of the wing to be insufficient. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct the defect of the aileron 
bellcrank support bracket, which, in the event of an aileron jam, 
could lead to failure of the support bracket and result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, affected support brackets are 
aileron bellcrank support brackets, part number (P/N) 7327993-813 
and P/N 7327993-814, for which it has been determined that the 
affected lug attaching the support bracket to the rear spar of the 
wing has a thickness of less than 2.75 mm (0.108 in.), as specified 
in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, serviceable support brackets 
are aileron bellcrank support brackets, P/N 7327993-813 and P/N 
7327993-814, for which it has been determined that the affected lug 
attaching the support bracket to the rear spar of the wing has a 
thickness of 2.75 mm (0.108 in.) or more, as specified in Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018.

(h) One-Time Inspection

    Within 100 flight cycles or 30 days, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a detailed visual 
inspection for cracks, corrosion, and damage (including missing 
paint) of the affected lug and the adjacent area of the aileron 
bellcrank support brackets installed on the left hand (LH) and right 
hand (RH) wing, and measure the thickness of the affected lug 
attaching the support bracket to the rear spar of the wing, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018.

(i) Repetitive Inspections

    If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 
it is determined that the affected lug attaching the aileron 
bellcrank support bracket to the rear spar of the wing has a 
thickness of less than 2.75 mm (0.108 in.), at intervals not to 
exceed 100 flight cycles, accomplish a detailed visual inspection 
for cracks, corrosion, and damage (including missing paint) of that 
affected support bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 
2018. Accomplishing the replacement specified in paragraph (k) of 
this AD terminates the repetitive inspections required by this 
paragraph for that bracket.

(j) Corrective Actions

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h) or (i) of 
this AD, any crack, corrosion, or damage (including missing paint) 
is found, before further flight, obtain corrective actions 
instructions approved by the Manager, International Section, 
Transport Standards Branch, 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. Accomplish the corrective 
actions within the compliance time specified therein. If no 
compliance time is specified in the corrective actions instructions, 
accomplish the corrective action before further flight.

(k) Optional Terminating Action

    Replacing each affected support bracket with a serviceable 
support bracket, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018, 
terminates the inspections required by paragraph (i) of this AD for 
that airplane.

(l) Reporting Requirement

    Within 15 days after the measurement as required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, or within 15 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, report the results to Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics in accordance with the instruction provided in Figure 1, 
``Aileron Bellcrank Support Fitting--Inspection,'' of Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018.

(m) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install on 
any airplane an aileron bellcrank support bracket P/N 7327993-813 or 
P/N 7327993-814, provided it is a serviceable support bracket.

(n) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (o)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the EASA; or Saab AB, 
Saab Aeronautics' EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(o) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Airworthiness Directive 2018-0103, dated April 30, 2018, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0450.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3220.

(p) 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.
    (i) Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-056, dated April 18, 2018.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (5) 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 Des Moines, Washington, on May 14, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11267 Filed 5-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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