[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57337-57339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24841]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-372-AD; Amendment 39-13322; AD 2003-20-04]
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 certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires an inspection to detect chafing or damage to the electrical 
wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, applicable 
corrective action(s) if necessary, and installation of harnesses. For 
certain airplanes, this AD also requires modifying the collector tank 
walls. This action is necessary to prevent chafing damage to the 
electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks, which 
could cause misleading data and erroneous fuel pump cautions to be 
displayed to the flightcrew, and could result in electrical arcing with 
consequent increased potential for fire or explosion in the fuel tank. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective November 7, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 7, 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.

[[Page 57338]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2139; 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 July 21, 2003 
(68 FR 43042). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect 
chafing or damage to the electrical wire harnesses in the left and 
right wing fuel tanks, applicable corrective action(s) if necessary, 
and installation of harnesses. For certain airplanes, that action also 
proposed to require modifying the collector tank walls.

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.

Changes to Final Rule

    Paragraph (e) of the proposed AD states: ``For all airplanes: 
Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install new 
electrical wire harnesses by accomplishing all the actions specified in 
paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin SAAB 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001.'' In preparing this 
final rule, we re-examined the requirements of the proposed AD, and in 
doing so, we find it necessary to clarify that our intent in including 
paragraph (e) was NOT to require that all operators install ``new'' 
electrical wire harnesses. Rather, paragraph (e) was intended to 
capture the recommendation in paragraph 2.E. of the service bulletin, 
which addresses installation of harnesses following inspection, 
corrective actions (which may include installing new harnesses for some 
airplanes), and modification (if applicable).
    For purposes of clarifying the requirements of this AD, we have 
combined paragraphs (a) through (e) of the proposed AD into paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this final rule to reference accomplishing the actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. 
These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 80 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $455 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $16,965, or $5,655 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-20-04 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13322. Docket 2001-NM-372-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
SAAB 2000-004 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 (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.


[[Page 57339]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing damage to the electrical wire harnesses in 
the left and right wing fuel tanks, which could cause misleading 
data and erroneous fuel pump cautions to be displayed to the 
flightcrew, and could result in electrical arcing with consequent 
increased potential for fire or explosion in the fuel tank, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do a detailed inspection to detect chafing or damage to 
the electrical wire harnesses in the left and right wing fuel tanks 
(including any applicable repair or replacement of electrical wire 
harnesses) by accomplishing all actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-012, 
dated October 1, 2001. Do the actions per the service bulletin. Any 
applicable repair or replacement of an electrical wire harness with 
a new electrical wire harness must be accomplished before further 
flight.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Modification (for Certain Airplanes)

    (b) For airplanes having serial numbers SAAB 2000-007 through -
063 inclusive: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
modify the collector tank walls by accomplishing all the actions 
specified in paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001.

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 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

    (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 actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-28-012, dated October 1, 2001. 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''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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-168, dated October 1, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 7, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 25, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24841 Filed 10-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P