[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26003-26004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10248]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-259-AD; Amendment 39-13615; AD 2004-09-25]
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 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: Effective June 15, 2004.

[[Page 26004]]

    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 15, 2004.

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 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 March 5, 2004 
(69 FR 10370). That action proposed to 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.

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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the 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 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:

2004-09-25 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13615. 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-27-047, dated August 30, 2002. 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 National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 28, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10248 Filed 5-10-04; 8:45 am]
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