[Federal Register: September 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 182)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 54862-54864]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19se03-28]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 54862]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-365-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacing the dual
shuttle valve in the number 2 hydraulic system with a new improved
valve; and, for certain airplanes, modifying the hydraulic system. This
action is necessary to prevent failure of the dual shuttle valve in the
number 2 hydraulic system, with reduced maximum elevator rate on the
left side, which could result in pilot induced pitch oscillation, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 20, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-365-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-365-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-365-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-365-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for
Sweden, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that fatigue
testing revealed that the body of the dual shuttle valve in the number
2 hydraulic system may crack at the pressure side. This cracking may
cause the loss of hydraulic pressure to the left inboard elevator,
resulting in reduced maximum elevator rate on the failed side, for
which the flight crew could attempt to compensate. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in pilot induced pitch oscillation, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August 14,
2001. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the dual
shuttle valve in the number 2 hydraulic system with a new, improved
valve on airplanes that have had Modification 5952 implemented.
Saab has also issued Service Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02,
dated August 14, 2001, which describes procedures for the completion of
Modification 5952. That modification presents changes to let the
integrated hydraulic package (IHP) operate in a standby mode. The
service bulletin also introduces a dual shuttle valve in the IHP
system, changes the position of the check valve, replaces the IHP,
installs new tubing and connections, and introduces a new filter.
The LFV classified Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-020 as mandatory
and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-164, dated August 17,
2001, to ensure
[[Page 54863]]
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden. The LFV
approved Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LFV has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
LFV, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Proposed Rule, Swedish Airworthiness Directive,
and the Service Bulletins
Where this proposed AD would require completion of Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August 14, 2001, and Saab Service Bulletin
2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001, the LFV has
specifically mandated only Service Bulletin 2000-29-020. However, that
service bulletin specifies that Service Bulletin 2000-29-010 must be
done before Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, so Service Bulletin 2000-29-
010 may be implicitly required by the LFV.
As a result, the proposed compliance time differs from that of the
Swedish airworthiness directive. This proposed AD would require that
the valve be replaced per Service Bulletin 2000-29-020 within 15,000
flight hours after the effective date of the AD if Service Bulletin
2000-29-010 has been incorporated. If Service Bulletin 2000-29-010 has
not been incorporated, this proposed AD would require its
accomplishment within 90 days, and replacement of the valve within
15,000 flight hours thereafter. However, the Swedish airworthiness
directive does not specifically mandate incorporation of Service
Bulletin 2000-29-010 and therefore does not provide a compliance time
for that action.
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated August 14,
2001, also recommends accomplishment of the actions in Saab Service
Bulletins 2000-29-008, 2000-29-009, 2000-29-011, and 2000-29-013.
However, this proposed AD would not require those additional actions.
Changes to 14 CFR part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance. Because we have now included this material in part 39, only
the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each individual
AD.
Change to Labor Rate Estimate
We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The proposed replacement would take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Parts would be
provided to the operator at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$780, or $260 per airplane.
The proposed modification, if required, would take approximately 60
work hours per airplane at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Parts would be provided to the operator at no charge. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed modification is estimated to
be $3,900 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 2001-NM-365-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, as listed in
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August 14, 2001;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
[[Page 54864]]
To prevent failure of the dual shuttle valve in the number 2
hydraulic system, with reduced maximum elevator rate on the left
side, which could result in pilot induced pitch oscillation, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Replacement: Modified Airplanes
(a) For airplanes that have been modified per Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001
(Modification 5952): Within 15,000 flight hours after completing
Modification 5952, replace the dual shuttle valve in the number 2
hydraulic system with a new, improved valve, per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August 14,
2001.
Modification and Replacement: Unmodified Airplanes
(b) For airplanes that have not been modified per Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001
(Modification 5952): Do paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD
within the times specified.
(1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, modify
the hydraulic system, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001.
(2) Within 15,000 flight hours after accomplishing paragraph
(b)(1) of this AD, replace the dual shuttle valve in the number 2
hydraulic system with a new, improved valve, per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August 14,
2001.
Note 1: Although Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-020, dated August
14, 2001; and Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-010, Revision 02, dated
August 14, 2001; specify sending removed or replaced parts to the
manufacturer or the vendor, this AD does not include such
requirements.
Parts Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
dual shuttle valve, part number 7329114-721, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-164, dated August 17, 2001.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23939 Filed 9-18-03; 8:45 am]
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