Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Support and Services) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76406-76408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21183]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1293; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01283-T; 
Amendment 39-22804; AD 2024-15-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Support and Services) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-26-
05, which applied to all Saab AB Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2021-26-
05 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues 
to require certain actions in AD 2021-26-05 and requires revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 23, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
February 15, 2022 (87 FR 1335, January 11, 2022).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1293; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1293.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 206-231-3220; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-26-05, Amendment 39-21863 (87 FR 1335, 
January 11, 2022) (AD 2021-26-05). AD 2021-26-05 applied to all Saab 
AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. AD 2021-26-05 
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA issued AD 2021-26-05 to address, among other 
things, fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs) and 
corrosion prevention and control. This unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of a PSE, and 
lead to loss of control of the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2024 (89 FR 
41903). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0220, dated December 21, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0220) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union. The MCAI states new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations have been developed.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require certain 
actions in AD 2021-26-05 and to require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 
2023-0220. The FAA is issuing this AD to address among other things, 
fatigue cracking of PSEs and corrosion prevention and control. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural 
integrity of a PSE,

[[Page 76407]]

and lead to loss of control of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1293.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined 
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0220 specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits.
    This AD also requires EASA AD 2021-0132, dated May 25, 2021, which 
the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of February 15, 2022 (87 FR 1335, January 11, 2022).
    This material 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 9 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2021-26-05 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the 
agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. 
Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes 
for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator 
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions 
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-26-05, Amendment 39-21863 
(87 FR 1335, January 11, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2024-15-12 Saab AB (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Support and 
Services): Amendment 39-22804; Docket No. FAA-2024-1293; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2023-01283-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-26-05, Amendment 39-21863 (87 FR 1335, 
January 11, 2022) (AD 2021-26-05).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address among other things, fatigue cracking of 
principal structural elements (PSEs) and corrosion prevention and 
control. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of a PSE, and lead to loss of control 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With a New Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2021-26-05, with a new terminating action. Except as specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and 
compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0132, dated May 25, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0132). Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0132, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2021-26-05, with no changes.

[[Page 76408]]

    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2021-0132 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP [aircraft maintenance program]'' within 12 months after 
its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
``limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and intervals'' 
specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132 within 90 days after 
February 15, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2021-26-05).
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132, or 
within 90 days after February 15, 2022 (the effective date of AD 
2021-26-05), whichever occurs later.
    (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2021-0132 do not apply to this AD.
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0132 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and 
Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With a New 
Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 
2021-26-05, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(j) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2021-0132.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0220, dated December 21, 2023 (EASA AD 
2023-0220). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance 
or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0220

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0220.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0220 specifies revising ``the 
AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0220 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0220, or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0220.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0220.

(l) New No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or CDCCLs

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs are allowed unless 
they are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0220.

(m) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (n) 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(n) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3220; email: 
[email protected].

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on October 23, 
2024.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0220, 
dated December 21, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on February 15, 
2022 (87 FR 1335, January 11, 2022).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0132, 
dated May 25, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For EASA AD 2023-0220 and EASA AD 2021-0132, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may 
find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (7) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations, or email [email protected].

    Issued on September 12, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21183 Filed 9-17-24; 8:45 am]
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