[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77796-77798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31378]
[[Page 77796]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1198; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB
2000 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes.
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected,
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar
cap structure.
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this proposed AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1198;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0115, dated June 17, 2010 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes.
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected,
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar
cap structure.
For the reasons describe above, this AD requires a detailed
visual inspection (DVI) of the LH and RH horizontal stabilizer rear
spar adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge and the harnesses
installed in the adjacent areas, installation of convoluted tubing
on the harness, and corrective actions depending on findings.
The corrective actions include installing convoluted tubing on the
harness, applying corrosion prevention compound to the inspected area,
making sure clearance exists between the spar cap and the harnesses/
convoluted tube, and contacting Saab for repair instructions and doing
the repair. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems has issued Service Bulletin 2000-55-013,
dated July 6, 2009. The actions described in this service information
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
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
[[Page 77797]]
these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the
information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 8 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,360, or $170 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. FAA-2010-1198; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by January 28, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB
2000 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55:
Stabilizers.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes.
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected,
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar
cap structure.
* * * * *
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Actions
(g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed visual inspection for corrosion of the left-hand and right-
hand horizontal stabilizers, do a detailed visual inspection for
chafing or damage on the harness installed in the adjacent area, and
install convoluted tubing on the harness, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-55-013,
dated July 6, 2009.
(h) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this
AD, corrosion is found, before next flight, repair the corrosion
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or EASA (or its delegated
agent).
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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:
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425)
227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which
the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI)
or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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: A Federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
[[Page 77798]]
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, AES-200.
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0115, dated June 17, 2010; and Saab
Service Bulletin 2000-55-013, dated July 6, 2009; for related
information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 3, 2010.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31378 Filed 12-13-10; 8:45 am]
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