[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 44 (Friday, March 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10370-10372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4925]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-259-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 an inspection of roll and 
pitch disconnect handles for spring forces outside limits, and 
adjustment of the spring force of the handles, if necessary. This 
action is necessary to prevent the roll and pitch disconnect handles 
from being difficult to operate, which could result in an increase in 
pilot workload and subsequent reduced controllability of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-259-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-259-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 10371]]

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:

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, 
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change 
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) 
for each request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-259-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. 2002-NM-259-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The 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. The LFV advises that there have 
been two instances during C-checks in which the roll and pitch 
disconnect handles were difficult to operate. An abnormal force is 
needed to pull the handles. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in an increase in pilot workload and subsequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-27-047, dated August 30, 
2002, which describes procedures for inspection of the roll and pitch 
disconnect handles for difficult operation, and adjustment of the 
handles, if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. The LFV classified this service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-177, dated August 30, 
2002, 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, the LFV has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$780, or $260 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

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.

[[Page 10372]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 2002-NM-259-AD.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 
-004 through -063 inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the roll and pitch disconnect handles from being 
difficult to operate, which could result in an increase in pilot 
workload and subsequent reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an inspection of the roll and pitch disconnect handles for 
difficult operation, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-27-047, dated August 30, 
2002. If the force required to move any disconnect handle is found 
to be outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, before 
further flight, adjust the spring force of the handle in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a roll disconnect handle, part number 7339056-503, 
or pitch disconnect handle, part number 7339056-504, unless it has 
been inspected and the spring force has been adjusted as applicable, 
per paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swedish 
airworthiness directive 1-177, dated August 30, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4925 Filed 3-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P