[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32540-32542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11060]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21341; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-026-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require inspection for cracking of the fastener holes in the 
front and rear spar, modification of the fastener holes of the front 
and rear spars and the rear spar web, and related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report of cracking of certain fastener holes in the lower spar cap of 
the rear spar and in the lower skin at the front spar. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent cracking of the front and rear spar, which could 
result in fuel leakage and consequent reduced structural integrity of 
the wing structure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 5, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This 
docket number is FAA-2005-21341; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2003-NM-026-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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-21341; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-026-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    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 DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Sweden,

[[Page 32541]]

notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Saab Model 
SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The LFV advises that, during full-scale 
fatigue testing by the manufacturer, cracking was detected at some 
fastener holes in the lower spar cap of the rear spar and in the lower 
skin at the left-hand and right-hand sides of the front spar, between 
WS20 and WS83 inclusive. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in fuel leakage and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing 
structure.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 2000-57-038, dated December 
18, 2002, which describes procedures for the following inspections and 
modification:
    Inspections: The SB describes procedures for a one-time non-
destructive testing (NDT) for cracking of the fastener holes in the 
lower spar cap of the rear spar and in the lower skin at the left-hand 
and right-hand sides of the front spar, between WS20 and WS83 
inclusive, and other related investigative actions. The related 
investigative procedures include calibrating a probe to measure the 
specific dimension of the fastener holes. The SB specifies to contact 
the manufacturer if any cracking is found.
    Modification: The SB describes procedures for performing cold 
working of the fasteners, and other related investigative actions, 
which include removing the existing Hi-Lok fasteners, reaming the Hi-
Lok holes, and performing a detailed inspection for scratches or any 
other damage of the Hi-Lok holes. The SB also describes procedures for 
oversizing fasteners if a hole is damaged or out of tolerance. 
Additionally, the SB specifies if notches or scratches are found on the 
skin surface or the surface of the front spar, to contact the 
manufacturer. The SB also includes procedures for the following 
inspections, as well as specifying that if any damage is found to 
contact the manufacturer:
     Performing a visual inspection to detect any cracking on 
the hole surface, reaming the fastener holes, measuring the hole size, 
and checking for hole ovality.
     Performing a detailed visual inspection for scratches and 
any other damage of the surface of the Hi-Lok holes and the surface of 
the skin under the head and under the collar.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The LFV mandated 
the service information and issued Swedish airworthiness directive 1-
182, dated December 20, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in Sweden.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the LFV's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between 
the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin specifies that you may contact the manufacture 
for instruction on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed 
AD would require you to repair those conditions using a method that we 
or the LFV (or its delegated agent) approve. In light of the type of 
repair that would be required to address the unsafe condition, and 
consistent with existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, we have 
determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair we or the LFV approve 
would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD. Additionally 
the service bulletin also specifies to contact the manufacturer before 
reaming and inspecting holes No. 7 and No. 8 if \1/4\-inch fasteners 
are needed. This proposed AD would require you to contact us or the LFV 
before reaming and inspecting holes No. 7 and No. 8 if \1/4\-inch 
fasteners are needed.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions (inspections and modification) would take about 
250 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost about $8,557 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $74,421, or $24,807 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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 32542]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Saab Aircraft AB: Docket No. FAA-2005-21341; Directorate Identifier 
2003-NM-026-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by July 5, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series 
airplanes having Serial Numbers 004 through 063 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of cracking of certain 
fastener holes in the lower spar cap of the rear spar and in the 
lower skin at the front spar. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
cracking of the front and rear spar, which could result in fuel 
leakage and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing 
structure.

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

    (f) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, 
perform non-destructive tests for cracking of the fastener holes in 
the lower spar cap of the rear spar and in the lower skin at the 
left-hand and right-hand sides of the front spar, between WS20 and 
WS83 inclusive; by accomplishing all the actions specified in Parts 
A, B, and C of the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service 
Bulletin 2000-57-038, dated December 18, 2002. If any cracking is 
detected, before further flight, repair the cracking according to a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, or the Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its 
delegated agent).

Modification

    (g) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, 
modify the fastener holes of the front and rear spars and the rear 
spar web, including related investigative actions, by accomplishing 
all the actions specified in Part D of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57-38, dated December 18, 
2002. If \1/4\-inch fasteners are needed for holes No. 7 and No. 8, 
before further flight, contact the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate for further actions, or 
the LFV (or its delegated agent). If any scratches or other damage 
is detected on the skin surface or the surface of the front spar, 
before further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved 
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, or the Luftfartsverket (LFV) (or its delegated 
agent.)

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) 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

    (i) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-182, dated December 20, 
2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11060 Filed 6-2-05; 8:45 am]
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