[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 28, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11791-11793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4646]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0184; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-118-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Model SAAB 2000 Airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports 
that environmentally friendly de-icing agents used on certain 
electrical connectors and braids could cause corrosion damage. This 
proposed AD would require performing in certain locations a detailed 
inspection for corrosion of the electrical and electronics 
installation, and if corrosion is found repairing each affected harness 
braid or replacing each affected component and/or wiring harness. We 
are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of critical 
system wiring, which could result in arcing and, in combination with 
other factors, a fire and consequent damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., 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 AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone 
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate,

[[Page 11792]]

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0184; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-118-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0079, dated May 5, 2011 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Environmentally friendly de-/anti-icing agents (acetates or 
formats) are a known cause of corrosion damage to components of the 
Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) on aeroplanes.
    Investigations by SAAB have identified certain electrical 
connectors and braids which are susceptible to such damage, in zones 
191 and 192 of the center wing fuselage and in zones 323, 332 and 
342, affecting the wiring harnesses of elevator and rudder servos.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
damage of critical system wiring, possibly resulting in arcing and, 
in combination with other factors, a fire and consequent damage to, 
or loss of, the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, SAAB have issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) 2000-92-005 and SB 2000-92-006 to provide instructions 
to detect unacceptable corrosion on electrical and electronic 
installation wiring.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [detailed] inspection of the affected components in the 
designated area, the reporting of all inspections results to SAAB 
and, depending on findings, appropriate corrective action [repair or 
replacement].

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems has issued Service Bulletins 2000-92-005, 
Revision 01, dated March 1, 2011; and 2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated 
August 18, 2010. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 360 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $306,000, or $30,600 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $12,454, for a cost 
of $15,854 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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 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 this 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

[[Page 11793]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems: Docket No. FAA-2012-0184; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-118-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 13, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that environmentally friendly 
de-icing agents used on certain electrical connectors and braids 
could cause corrosion damage. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct corrosion of critical system wiring, which could result in 
arcing and, in combination with other factors, a fire and consequent 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection for corrosion of the electrical and electronics 
installation, at the locations specified in and in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-
005, Revision 01, dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 
2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated August 18, 2010. These inspections 
do not need to be accomplished concurrently.

(h) Corrective Action

    If any corrosion is found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before next flight, repair each affected 
harness braid or replace each affected component and/or wiring 
harness, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, 
dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 
01, dated August 18, 2010.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using according to SAAB Service 
Bulletin 2000-92-005, dated May 5, 2010; and SAAB Service Bulletin 
2000-92-006, dated March 29, 2010.

(j) Reporting Requirement

    Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of 
the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, using the 
Feedback Form in SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, 
dated March 1, 2011; and SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 
01, dated August 18, 2010. Send the report to SAAB Aerotech, Support 
Services Division, SE-581 88 Linkoping, Sweden; fax +46 13 18 4874; 
email [email protected]; at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must 
include the level of corrosion found on each connector.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it 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. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0079, dated May 
5, 2011, and the service information specified in paragraphs (l)(1) 
and (l)(2) of this AD, for related information.
    (1) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-005, Revision 01, dated March 
1, 2011.
    (2) SAAB Service Bulletin 2000-92-006, Revision 01, dated August 
18, 2010.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4646 Filed 2-27-12; 8:45 am]
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