[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 485-486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-104-AD; Amendment 39-13007; AD 2002-26-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000, SAAB SF340A, and 
SAAB 340B 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 all Saab Model SAAB 2000, SAAB SF340A, and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes, that requires replacing the main pitot static tube on 
each side of the airplane with a new improved pitot static tube, and 
installing a gasket between the tube and the airplane structure. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent ice from blocking 
the pitot system, due to the pitot tube not having enough heating 
capacity to stay above freezing temperature, which could result in 
erroneous airspeed indications. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 10, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-
581.88, Link[ouml]ping, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 all Saab Model SAAB 2000, SAAB 
SF340A, and SAAB 340B series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on July 19, 2002 (67 FR 47491). That action proposed to 
require replacing the main pitot static tube on each side of the 
airplane with a new improved pitot static tube, and installing a gasket 
between the tube and the airplane structure.

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.

[[Page 486]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 312 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$13,400 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,330,560, or $13,880 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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:

2002-26-19 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13007. Docket 2002-NM-104-
AD.

    Applicability: All Model SAAB 2000, SAAB SF340A, and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes, 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 ice from blocking the pitot system, due to the pitot 
tube not having enough heating capacity to stay above freezing 
temperature, which could result in erroneous airspeed indications, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months from the effective date of this AD, replace 
the main pitot static tube on each side of the airplane with a new 
improved pitot static tube, and install a gasket between the tube 
and the airplane structure; per the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-34-145 (for Model SF340A and 340B series 
airplanes); or Saab Service Bulletin 2000-34-060 (for Model 2000 
series airplanes); both dated October 1, 2001; as applicable.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any static pitot tube having part number 856ML1 or 856ML2, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The replacement and installation shall be done in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 340-34-145, dated October 1, 2001; or 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-34-060, dated October 1, 2001; 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, Link[ouml]ping, 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 directives 1-166 and 1-167, both dated October 1, 
2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 10, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 26, 2002.
Charles D. Huber,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15 Filed 1-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P