Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 30, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66758-66760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30626]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-197-AD; Amendment 39-11442; AD 99-24-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of the airplane by coldworking fastener holes at 
the front and rear wing spars and by installing modified support angles 
for the lower trailing edge panel of the wing. This amendment is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking in the lower spar cap 
of the wing rear spar and in the lower skin at the wing front spar, 
just outside the nacelle, on the left-hand and right-hand side of the 
airplane, which could result in fuel leakage and consequent fire in or 
around the wing.

DATES: Effective January 4, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 4, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the

[[Page 66759]]

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 23, 
1999 (64 FR 51486). That action proposed to require modification of the 
airplane by coldworking fastener holes at the front and rear wing spars 
and by installing modified support angles for the lower trailing edge 
panel of the wing.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 180 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. The manufacturer states that necessary parts will be 
provided at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $32,400, or 
$10,800 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-24-17 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11442. Docket 99-NM-197-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, as listed in 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-029, dated June 4, 1999; certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent fatigue cracking in the lower spar cap of the 
wing rear spar and in the lower skin at the wing front spar, just 
outside the nacelle, on the left-hand and right-hand side of the 
airplane, which could result in fuel leakage and consequent fire in 
or around the wing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 13,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, modify the airplane by coldworking the 
fastener holes at the front and rear wing spar (including all 
applicable nondestructive test and detailed visual inspections and 
repairs of holes) and installing modified support angles for the 
lower trailing edge panel of the wing, in accordance with the 
instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-029, dated June 4, 
1999.
    (b) Where Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-029, dated June 4, 1999, 
specifies that Saab be contacted for repair instructions for certain 
damage conditions, this AD requires that such damage conditions must 
be repaired in accordance with a method approved by either the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate; or the Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its delegated agent). 
For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's 
approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Except as provided by in paragraph (b) of this AD, the 
actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
57-029, dated June 4, 1999. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, 
Sweden. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.


[[Page 66760]]


    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive SAD 1-142, dated June 4, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 4, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-30626 Filed 11-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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