[Federal Register: January 5, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 2)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 293-295]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ja04-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-115-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 measuring the torque of
the adjustable pin in the rear attachment of the intermediate strut for
both engines, and retorquing the adjustable pins to the correct torque
value. This action is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the
engine mounting structure (EMS), and loss of redundancy on the EMS,
which could result in possible separation of an engine from the
airplane, reduced controllability of the airplane, and injury to
persons or property on the ground. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 4, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-115-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. 2003-NM-115-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: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4057; telephone (425)
227-2139; 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:
[[Page 294]]
[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 2003-NM-115-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. 2003-NM-115-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, during two
inspections, torque values that were too low were found for the
adjustable pin in the rear attachment of the intermediate structure of
the engine mounting structure (EMS). Further investigation revealed
that the manufacturer's airplane maintenance manual and a relevant
service bulletin both specify torque values that are too low. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in long-term damage to the
EMS, and loss of redundancy on the EMS, which could also result in
possible separation of an engine from the airplane, reduced
controllability of the airplane, and injury to persons or property on
the ground
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 2000-71-014, dated
January 23, 2003, which describes procedures for measuring the torque
of the adjustable pin in the rear attachment of the intermediate strut
for both engines, and retorquing the adjustable pin to the correct
torque value. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-183, dated January 23, 2003,
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Sweden.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Sweden and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 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 bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin
specify to report inspection results, this proposed AD does not require
that action.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$390, or $130 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 2003-NM-115-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers
-004 through -063 inclusive; certificated in any category.
[[Page 295]]
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent long-term damage to the engine mounting structure
(EMS), and loss of redundancy on the EMS, which could result in
possible separation of an engine from the airplane, reduced
controllability of the airplane, and injury to persons or property
on the ground, accomplish the following:
Service Bulletin References
(a) The following information pertains to the service bulletin
referenced in this AD:
(1) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin SAAB 2000-71-
014, dated January 23, 2003.
(2) Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a
requirement.
Torque Check
(b) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Measure
the torque of the adjustable pin in the rear attachment of the
intermediate strut for both engines, in accordance with the
inspection requirements and torque values in the service bulletin.
Retorque
(c) Retorque the adjustable pin in the intermediate strut rear
attachment of the EMS to the correct torque value, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive 1-183, dated January 23, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-31 Filed 1-2-04; 8:45 am]
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