[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61801-61803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-126-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 a measurement of the 
extension of the piston in the retract actuator of the main landing 
gear (MLG); and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal also 
would require repetitive replacement of the retract actuator with a 
repaired retract actuator, or repetitive replacement of the piston in 
the retract actuator with a new piston. 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 fatigue failure of the piston in the retract 
actuator of the MLG, and reduced structural integrity of the MLG.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-126-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.
    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.


[[Page 61802]]


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 99-NM-126-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. 99-NM-126-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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. LFV advises that it has received 
a report of fatigue failure of a piston (ramrod) in the retract 
actuator of the main landing gear (MLG). The cause of this failure may 
be excessive loads as a result of the piston bottoming in the cylinder, 
which causes cracks to develop in the piston. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of a piston in the MLG and reduced 
structural integrity of the MLG.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01, dated 
March 16, 1999, including Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999, and 
Attachment 2, dated March 1999; which describes procedures for a 
measurement of the extension of the piston in the retract actuator of 
the MLG; and corrective action, if necessary. The corrective action 
involves replacing either the retract actuator with a repaired retract 
actuator, or the piston in the retract actuator with a new piston, if 
necessary. The service bulletin also describes procedures for 
repetitive replacement of these components. LFV classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swedish airworthiness directive SAD 
No. 1-138, dated March 16, 1999, 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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, LFV has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 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.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed measurement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the measurement 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60 
per airplane.
    It would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would be provided to the operators at no cost by 
the manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement proposed by this AD on the U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $900, or $300 per airplane, per replacement.
    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.

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 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:

[[Page 61803]]

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 99-NM-126-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
004 through 063 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 (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 prevent fatigue failure of the piston in the retract actuator 
of the main landing gear (MLG) and reduced structural integrity of 
the MLG, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
measurement of the extension of the piston (ramrod) in the retract 
actuator of the MLG in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
A32-052, Revision 01, dated March 16, 1999, including Attachment 1, 
dated March 16, 1999, and Attachment 2, dated March 1999. If the 
extension of the piston is less than 0.59 inches (15 millimeters), 
prior to further flight, perform the action required by either 
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD.

Replacement

    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, accomplish the requirement specified in either 
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with Saab 
Service Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01, dated March 16, 1999, 
including Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999, and Attachment 2, 
dated March 1999. Thereafter, repeat the action required by either 
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 
5,000 flight cycles.
    (1) Replace the retract actuator with a repaired retract 
actuator.
    (2) Replace the piston in the retract actuator with a new 
piston.

Spares

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane, a retract actuator, part number (P/N) AIR86482-1 
through AIR86482-4 inclusive, unless it has been repaired in 
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-A32-052, Revision 01, 
dated March 16, 1999, including Attachment 1, dated March 16, 1999, 
and Attachment 2, dated March 1999.

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 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.

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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive SAD No 1-138, dated March 16, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29741 Filed 11-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U