[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1761-1762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-502]



[[Page 1761]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-126-AD; Amendment 39-11500; AD 2000-01-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires a measurement of the extension of the piston in the retract 
actuator of the main landing gear (MLG); and corrective action, if 
necessary. This amendment also requires 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 amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified by this 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: Effective February 16, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 16, 2000.

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.

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 in the Federal Register on November 15, 
1999 (64 FR 61801). That action proposed to require a measurement of 
the extension of the piston in the retract actuator of the main landing 
gear (MLG); and corrective action, if necessary. That action also 
proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

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 will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required measurement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the measurement 
rrequired by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, or $60 
per airplane.
    It will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will be provided to the operators at no cost by 
the manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement required 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-01-03 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-11500. 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.

[[Page 1762]]

    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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done 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, which includes the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Revision level shown on
   Page number                page                 Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-10.............  01--Attachment 1..........  March 16, 1999.
1-3..............  1--Attachment 2...........  March 16, 1999.
1-5..............  2.........................  March 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive SAD No. 1-138, dated March 16, 1999.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 16, 2000.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-502 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U