[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41405-41407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-316-AD; Amendment 39-13720; AD 2004-14-11]
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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, that 
currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the 
upper and lower areas of the backup struts in the left and right 
nacelles; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment requires 
repetitive inspections for cracks in the lower areas of the backup 
struts, and corrective actions if necessary. This action also requires 
the eventual replacement of the backup struts with new, improved 
struts, which terminates the repetitive inspections. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the backup 
struts in the left and right nacelles due to fatigue cracking, which 
could result in loss of fail-safe redundancy in the design of the 
nacelle in terms of load capability, and consequent separation of the 
engine from the airplane and subsequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 13, 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 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

[[Page 41406]]

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: 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) by superseding AD 2000-13-09, 
amendment 39-11808 (65 FR 41871, July 7, 2000), which is applicable to 
certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on March 26, 2004 (69 FR 15740). The action proposed 
to require repetitive inspections for cracks in the lower areas of the 
backup struts, and corrective actions if necessary. That action also 
proposed to require the eventual replacement of the backup struts with 
new, improved struts, which would terminate the repetitive inspections.

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

    This AD will affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The inspection of the lower ends of the backup struts will take 
about 4 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this action on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $780, or $260 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    Replacing all four backup struts will take about 80 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost about $165,416 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $511,848, or 
$170,616 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 removing amendment 39-11808 (65 FR 
41871, July 7, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-13720, to read as follows:

2004-14-11 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-13720. Docket 2001-NM-316-
AD. Supersedes AD 2000-13-09, Amendment 39-11808.

    Applicability: Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers -004 through -063 inclusive.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the backup struts in the left and right 
nacelles due to fatigue cracking, which could result in loss of 
fail-safe redundancy in the design of the nacelle in terms of load 
capability, and consequent separation of the engine from the 
airplane and subsequent reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) At the applicable time specified in Table 1 of this AD: 
Perform a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection for cracks of the 
lower ends of the backup struts in the left and right nacelles, in 
accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-54-025, dated September 
7, 2001. Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require a report.

     Table 1.--Fluorescent Dye Penetrant Inspection Compliance Times
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                                      And if the
 If, as of the effective date of   airplane has, as       Then do the
   this new AD, the inspection     of the effective   inspection within--
   required by AD 2000-13-09,      date of this new
      amendment 39-11808--               AD--
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Has been done...................  Fewer than 4,500    1,650 flight hours
                                   flight cycles.      after
                                                       accomplishment of
                                                       the most recent
                                                       inspection done
                                                       per AD 2000-13-
                                                       09.
Has been done...................  4,500 or more       900 flight hours
                                   flight cycles.      after the most
                                                       recent inspection
                                                       done per AD 2000-
                                                       13-09.

[[Page 41407]]

 
Has not been done...............  Any number of       200 flight hours
                                   flight cycles.      after the
                                                       effective date of
                                                       this new AD.
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Follow-On/Corrective Actions

    (b) If no crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Repeat the inspection at intervals not to 
exceed 1,650 flight hours, until the actions required by paragraph 
(d) of this AD have been done.
    (c) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Replace the cracked strut with a new, 
improved strut before further flight in accordance with SAAB Service 
Bulletin 2000-54-024, dated September 7, 2001. Although the service 
bulletin provides the option of contacting the manufacturer for 
repair instructions, this AD requires that any alternative repair be 
done in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its delegated agent). Replacement 
of a backup strut terminates the repetitive inspections required by 
this AD for that strut only.

Strut Replacement

    (d) Except as required by paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 36 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace all four backup 
struts in the electrical and hydraulic bays of the nacelles with 
new, improved struts, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-54-024, dated September 
7, 2001. Replacement of all four backup struts terminates the 
requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-54-024, dated 
September 7, 2001; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-54-025, dated 
September 7, 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 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 1-165, dated September 10, 2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15377 Filed 7-8-04; 8:45 am]
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