Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56256-56258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19199]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27595; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-248-AD; 
Amendment 39-15216; AD 2007-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 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 the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    It has been revealed that the control surface balancing 
procedure in the * * * SAAB 2000 SRM (structural repair manual) * * 
* is incorrect.
    Incorrect balance, outside the tolerance of the aileron control 
surface, may lead to vibrations that in [the] worst case can result 
in flutter.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 7, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 7, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey, Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2007 (72 
FR 12576). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been revealed that the control surface balancing 
procedure in the Web and CD/DVD versions of the SAAB 2000 SRM 
(structural repair manual) Chapter 51-60-00, Control Surface 
Balancing Procedure is incorrect. The incorrect Calculation formula 
(page 1, 4 and 7) was incorporated in Revision 21 of the SRM dated 
April 01/05 and was distributed in 4 July 2005 on the CD/DVD issue 
Apr. 01/05.
    In the incorrect formula, an ``x'' (multiplication) has been 
replaced with a ``+'' (addition) when the data was converted in the 
system and if this formula is followed, you may receive a result 
outside of the allowed tolerance.
    Incorrect balance, outside the tolerance of the aileron control 
surface, may lead to vibrations that in [the] worst case can result 
in flutter.
    The hard copy of the manual, SAAB 2000 SRM, is correct.
    The CD/DVD dated Oct 01/05, marked ``Reissue'', includes a 
correct SAAB SRM revision 22.

The corrective action includes identifying ailerons that have been 
balanced after July 4, 2005. If balanced incorrectly, they must be 
rebalanced.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received.

Request To Withdraw the NPRM

    Saab points out that at the time European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0053-E, dated 
February 22, 2006 (the MCAI), the hard copy of the structural repair 
manual (SRM) was correct but the Web and CD/DVD versions had an 
incorrect calculation formula. At that time, the FAA did not issue an 
emergency AD because there were only 3 of the affected airplanes 
operating in the U.S. and the

[[Page 56257]]

operators stated that they had not used the incorrect formula. The rest 
of the affected fleet was operating in Europe and subject to the EASA 
Emergency AD. SAAB AB states that this means that no affected airplane 
is operating with a rigging performed according to the incorrect 
formula. Saab recommends that we withdraw the NPRM and do not issue the 
AD.
    We disagree with the request to withdraw the NPRM. The number of 
affected airplanes of U.S. registry has grown from 3 to 7 in the past 
year, a growth trend that could continue. We cannot be certain that all 
airplanes that are placed on the U.S. Register have had the ailerons 
balanced correctly. Issuance of this AD will ensure that airplanes will 
be in compliance before being permitted to operate in the U.S. We have 
revised the Costs of Compliance paragraph of this AD to reflect the 
current number of U.S.-registered airplanes. We have made no other 
change to the AD in this regard.

Request To Refer to Later Revisions of the CD/DVD

    Saab requests that we change the following phrase from paragraph 
(e) of the NPRM: ``The CD/DVD dated Oct 01/05, marked `Reissue', 
includes a correct SAAB SRM revision 22.'' Saab states that the SRM has 
been revised a couple of times since the MCAI was issued, and that 
revision 23 and higher of the SRM have the correct formula.
    We acknowledge that revision 23 and higher of the SRM also have the 
correct formula. However, we have not revised the text in paragraph (e) 
of the AD because that text is simply a direct quote from the MCAI. We 
have not changed the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes about 
1 work-hour per product to identify ailerons that have been balanced 
after July 4, 2005. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD for U.S. operators to 
be $560, or $80 per product.

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.

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 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); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; 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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2007-20-06 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-15216. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27595; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-248-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
7, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, ranging from serial number -004 
through -063, on which aileron, P/N (part number) 7357600-501/502, 
P/N 7357600-503/504, P/N 7357600-505/506, P/N 7357600-507/508, P/N 
7357991-601/602, P/N 7357991-603/604, P/N 7357991-605/606, P/N 
7357995-843/844, or P/N 7357995-927/928, is installed.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    It has been revealed that the control surface balancing 
procedure in the web and CD/DVD versions of the SAAB 2000 SRM 
(Structural Repair Manual) Chapter 51-60-00, Control Surface 
Balancing Procedure is incorrect. The incorrect Calculation formula 
(page 1, 4 and 7) was incorporated in Revision 21 of the SRM dated 
April 01/05 and was distributed in 4 July 2005 on the CD/DVD issue 
Apr. 01/05.

[[Page 56258]]

    In the incorrect formula, an ``x'' (multiplication) has been 
replaced with a ``+'' (addition) when the data was converted in the 
system and if this formula is followed, you may receive a result 
outside of the allowed tolerance.
    Incorrect balance, outside the tolerance of the aileron control 
surface, may lead to vibrations that in [the] worst case can result 
in flutter.
    The hard copy of the manual, SAAB 2000 SRM, is correct.
    The CD/DVD dated Oct 01/05, marked ``Reissue'', includes a 
correct SAAB SRM revision 22.

The corrective action includes identifying ailerons that have been 
balanced after July 4, 2005, until the effective date of this AD. If 
balanced incorrectly, they must be rebalanced.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within one month after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Identify ailerons that have been balanced after July 4, 
2005. If balanced incorrectly, they must be rebalanced before 
further flight in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-040, 
dated February 23, 2006.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, the aileron balancing 
procedure contained in the CD/DVD ``Issue Date: Apr 01/05'' 
including the Saab SAAB 2000 SRM at Revision 21 and the CD/DVD 
``Issue Date: Oct 01/05'' including SRM at Revision 22 may not be 
used.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 227-
2677; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency 
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0053-E, dated February 22, 2006, and 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-040, dated February 23, 2006.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-040, dated 
February 23, 2006, including Attachment 1, dated April 1, 2006, to 
do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 September 21, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19199 Filed 10-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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