[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42007-42009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19580]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-151-AD; Amendment 39-11240; AD 99-16-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that requires
repetitive inspections for excessive wear of the aileron control
cables, cable guides, and cable pulleys located at the rear wing spars;
and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also requires
repetitive replacement of the control cables and cable guides with new
or serviceable components. This amendment also provides for optional
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to detect and correct excessive wear on the aileron control
cables, cable guides, and cable pulleys located at the rear wing spars,
which could result in broken aileron control cables and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective September 7, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 7, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. This information may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
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.
[[Page 42008]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000
series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on May 7, 1999 (64 FR 24542).
That action proposed to require repetitive inspections for excessive
wear of the aileron control cables, cable guides, and cable pulleys
located at the rear wing spars; and corrective actions, if necessary.
That action also proposed to require repetitive replacement of the
control cables and cable guides with new or serviceable components.
That action also provides for optional terminating action for the
repetitive inspections.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60 per airplane,
per inspection cycle.
It will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to
the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,440, or $480 per airplane, per replacement cycle.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Should an operator elect to perform the optional terminating
modification, it would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the optional terminating modification
provided by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,440, or
$480 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
99-16-05 SAAB Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11240. Docket 97-NM-151-AD.
Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers
004 through 064 inclusive; except those airplanes on which Saab
Aircraft AB Modification 6093 (reference Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
27-037, dated March 11, 1998) has been installed; certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (d) 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 detect and correct excessive wear on the aileron control
cables, cable guides, and cable pulleys located at the rear wing
spars, which could result in broken aileron control cables and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Repetitive Inspections
(a) Inspect to detect discrepancies of the left-and right-hand
aileron control cables, cable guides, and cable pulleys at the time
specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable,
in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-033, dated April
29, 1997, or Revision 01, dated March 27, 1998. Repeat the
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours.
If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by this
AD, prior to further flight, perform corrective action in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(1) For airplanes on which Saab Modification 5784 has been
installed: Inspect at the later of the times specified in paragraphs
(a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 1,800 total flight hours; or
within 1,800 flight hours after accomplishment of the modification
or replacement of any control cable; whichever occurs latest. Or
(ii) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD.
(2) For airplanes on which Saab Modification 5784 has not been
installed: Inspect at the later of the times specified in paragraphs
(a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 3,200 total flight hours, or
within 3,200 flight hours after replacement of any control cable,
whichever occurs later. Or
(ii) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD.
[[Page 42009]]
Note 2: Although the inspection schedules of this AD apply to
both left- and right-hand wing cable systems, replacement of the
cable, guide, or pulley on one wing only, prior to scheduled
replacement, would result in subsequent staggered inspections for
the components of the left- and right-hand cable systems.
Repetitive Replacements
(b) Replace the aileron control cables, cable guides, and cable
pulleys with new or serviceable parts, as applicable; at the time
specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable;
in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-033, dated April
29, 1997, or Revision 01, dated March 27, 1998.
(1) For airplanes on which Saab Modification 5784 has been
installed: Replace at the later of the times specified in paragraphs
(b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(ii) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at the time
specified in paragraph (a)(1); and replace the control cables and
cable guides thereafter prior to the accumulation of 3,200 flight
hours after replacement of any control cable.
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 3,200 total flight hours; or
within 3,200 flight hours after installation of the modification, or
after replacement of any control cable; whichever occurs latest. Or
(ii) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD.
(2) For airplanes on which Modification 5784 has not been
installed: Replace at the later of the times specified in paragraphs
(b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD at the time
specified in paragraph (a)(2); and replace the control cables and
cable guides thereafter prior to the accumulation of 6,200 flight
hours following replacement of any control cable.
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 6,200 total flight hours, or
within 6,200 flight hours after replacement of any control cable,
whichever occurs later. Or
(ii) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(c) Accomplishment of the modification of the aileron control
system in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-037, dated
March 11, 1998, constitutes terminating action for the requirements
of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(e) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-27-033, dated April 29, 1997; Saab Service Bulletin
2000-27-033, Revision 01, dated March 27, 1998; and Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-27-037, dated March 11, 1998, as applicable. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft
Product Support, S-581.88, Linkoping, Sweden. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish
airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-111R1, dated March 30, 1998.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on September 7, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 26, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19580 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am]
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