[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18275-18277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6915]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20244; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-AD; 
Amendment 39-14051; AD 2005-07-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This AD requires a one-
time inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on a main relay of the 
electrical power generator, and corrective action if necessary. This AD 
is prompted by disconnection of an electrical power generator during an 
inspection flight, which was caused by a broken terminal stud on the 
main relay. We are issuing this AD to prevent a broken terminal stud on 
the main relay of an electrical

[[Page 18276]]

power generator, which could reduce the redundancy of electrical power 
systems, result in increased pilot workload, and contribute to reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 16, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 
16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, 
Sweden.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20244; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-204-AD.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. That 
action, published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2005 (70 FR 
5064), proposed to require a one-time inspection to detect a broken 
terminal stud on a main relay of the electrical power generator, and 
corrective action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required actions will take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $975, or $325 per 
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-07-26 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14051. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20244; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-204-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 16, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, serial numbers -004 through -063 
inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by disconnection of an electrical power 
generator during an inspection flight, which was caused by a broken 
terminal stud on the main relay. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
broken terminal stud on the main relay of an electrical power 
generator, which could reduce the redundancy of electrical power 
systems, result in increased pilot workload, and contribute to 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time general visual inspection to detect a broken terminal 
stud on a main relay of the electrical power generator, and perform 
corrective actions as applicable, by doing all of the actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-24-017, 
dated April 3, 2003. Although the service bulletin specifies to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''


[[Page 18277]]



Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-190, dated April 4, 2003, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 2000-24-017, dated April 
3, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register 
approves the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of 
the service information, contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft 
Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. To view the AD 
docket, contact the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, contact the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6915 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
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