[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55346-55348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27601]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-239-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 replacement of the end-
pieces of the expansion chamber attenuator (ECA) for the standby pump 
of the Number 2 hydraulic system with new, improved end-pieces. This 
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent leakage of 
hydraulic fluid from the Number 2

[[Page 55347]]

hydraulic system due to failure of the end-pieces of the ECA, which 
could result in loss of nose wheel steering, flap operation, normal 
landing gear operation, and reduced redundancy in the brake and flight 
controls systems.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    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 notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-239-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. 98-NM-239-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 it has 
received reports of excessive leakage of hydraulic fluid from the 
Number 2 hydraulic system. The cause of such leakage has been 
attributed to failure of the aluminum end-pieces on the expansion 
chamber attenuator (ECA) of the standby pump for the Number 2 hydraulic 
system. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of nose 
wheel steering, flap operation, normal landing gear operation, and 
reduced redundancy in the brake and flight controls systems.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-29-016, dated April 17, 1998, 
which describes procedures for replacement of the two end-pieces of the 
ECA for the standby pump for the Number 2 hydraulic system with new, 
improved end-pieces constructed of steel. 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 (SAD) 1-126, 
dated April 20, 1998, in order to assure 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 
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 action specified in the service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Information

    Operators should note that the referenced service bulletin 
recommends incorporation of Saab Modification 6096 (reference Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-29-015) at the time of accomplishment of the 
actions described in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-016. Saab 
Modification 6096 is similar to Saab Modification 6132 (reference Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-29-016), in that it addresses modification of the 
end-pieces of the expansion chamber attenuator (ECA) of the Number 3 
hydraulic system. However, this proposed AD would not require 
incorporation of Modification 6096 since modification of the Number 2 
hydraulic system adequately addresses the unsafe condition.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $820 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,000, 
or $1,000 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient

[[Page 55348]]

federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.
    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 98-NM-239-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -099 inclusive; 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 leakage of hydraulic fluid from the Number 2 
hydraulic system due to failure of the end-pieces of the expansion 
chamber attenuator (ECA), which could result in loss of nose wheel 
steering, flap operation, normal landing gear operation, and reduced 
redundancy in the brake and flight controls systems, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the two end-pieces of the ECA of the standby pump for the Number 2 
hydraulic system with new, improved end-pieces constructed of steel, 
in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-29-016, dated April 
17, 1998.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane any ECA having P/N 7329114-691.
    (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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.
    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive (SAD) 1-126, dated April 20, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27601 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U