[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13072-13073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5116]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1198; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD; 
Amendment 39-16623; AD 2011-05-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 
2000 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the 
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas 
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical 
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes. 
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important 
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
    Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected, 
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which 
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar 
cap structure.
* * * * *
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 14, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 14, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2010 
(75 FR 77796). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the 
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas 
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical 
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes. 
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important 
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
    Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected, 
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which 
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar 
cap structure.
    For the reasons describe above, this AD requires a detailed 
visual inspection (DVI) of the LH and RH horizontal stabilizer rear 
spar adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge and the harnesses 
installed in the adjacent areas, installation of convoluted tubing 
on the harness, and corrective actions depending on findings.

    The corrective actions include installing convoluted tubing on the 
harness, applying corrosion prevention compound to the inspected area, 
making sure clearance exists between the spar cap and the harnesses/
convoluted tube, and contacting Saab for repair instructions and doing 
the repair. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 8 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $1,360 or $170 per product.

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

[[Page 13073]]

products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 AD:

2011-05-13 Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Amendment 39-16623. Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1198; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-145-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
14, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 
2000 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55: 
Stabilizers.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Corrosion has been found on the rear spar upper cap of the 
horizontal stabilizer of SAAB 2000 aeroplanes. The affected areas 
are adjacent to the inboard elevator hinge where the electrical 
wiring harnesses are located and wired through the lightening holes. 
The upper spar cap is a primary structural element and is important 
to the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
    Corrosion damage in these areas, if not detected and corrected, 
can result in a starting point for future crack propagation, which 
would impair the integrity of the horizontal stabilizer upper spar 
cap structure.
* * * * *

Compliance

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

Actions

    (g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed visual inspection for corrosion of the left-hand and right-
hand horizontal stabilizers, do a detailed visual inspection for 
chafing or damage on the harness installed in the adjacent area, and 
install convoluted tubing on the harness, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-55-013, 
dated July 6, 2009.
    (h) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, corrosion is found, before next flight, repair the corrosion 
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn: 
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 
227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically 
reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0115, dated 
June 17, 2010; and Saab Service Bulletin 2000-55-013, dated July 6, 
2009; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 2000-55-013, dated July 
6, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 22, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5116 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
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