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

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6062-6064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03120]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0964; Product Identifier 2018-NM-127-AD; Amendment 
39-19571; AD 2019-03-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly 
Known as 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 Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel 
quantities on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). 
This AD requires a functional check of certain fuel probes, and 
replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 2, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 2, 
2019.

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 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-2018-0964.

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-
0964; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on November 26, 2018 (83 FR 60374). The NPRM was 
prompted by reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel 
quantities on the EICAS. The NPRM proposed to require a functional 
check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a serviceable part 
if necessary.
    We are issuing this AD to address deteriorated capacity of the fuel 
probes, which could lead to incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting 
in fuel starvation and uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and 
consequent reduced control 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 2018-0187, dated August 29, 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:

    Occurrences were reported that certain fuel probes, installed on 
SAAB 2000 aeroplanes, indicated misleading fuel quantities on the 
engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The 
investigation results suggest that this may be an aging phenomenon, 
leading to deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shut-down, with consequent reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued the SB 
[service bulletin] to provide instructions for a functional check.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time functional check of the fuel quantity system and the fuel low 
level EICAS warnings to determine whether any affected parts are out 
of tolerance and, depending on findings, replacement of those 
affected parts.

    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-2018-
0964.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Paragraph (g)(2) of This AD

    We have removed the words ``has reached'' from the definition in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD for clarity and to match the MCAI.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this final rule with the change 
described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

[[Page 6063]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics has issued Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018. This service information describes procedures for 
a functional check of the fuel indicator gauging accuracy and the low 
level warning, and for replacing the affected part with a serviceable 
part if necessary.
    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 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680...........................              $0             $680           $5,440
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
action 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 this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
                   Labor cost                     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170..............     $6,295      $6,465
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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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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):

2019-03-19 Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aerosystems): Amendment 39-19571; Docket No. FAA-2018-0964; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-127-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 2, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (formerly known 
as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes 
indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine indicating and 
crew alerting system (EICAS). We are issuing this AD to address 
deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    (1) An affected part is a fuel probe having part number (P/N) 
20136-0101, P/N 20136-0102, P/N 20136-0103, P/N 20136-0104, P/N 
20136-0105, or P/N 20136-0106; with fuel low level sensors having P/
N 20137-0101.
    (2) A serviceable part is an affected part that has accumulated 
less than 1,500 total flight hours or 12 months since first 
installation on an airplane.

(h) Functional Check

    Within 1,500 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever

[[Page 6064]]

occurs first, accomplish a functional check of the fuel indicator 
gauging accuracy and the low level warning, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018.

(i) Corrective Action

    If the functional check required by paragraph (h) of this AD is 
found to be out of tolerance, within the limits and under the 
applicable conditions, as specified in the operator's Minimum 
Equipment List, replace the affected part with a serviceable part, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 2018.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, an affected part, unless it is a serviceable part, as 
defined in paragraph (g)(2) 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 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 (l)(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 European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0187, dated August 29, 
2018, 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-2018-0964.
    (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.

(m) 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 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 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 February 14, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03120 Filed 2-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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