[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31775-31777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14048]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0521; Product Identifier 2019-NM-047-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the o-ring groove of
magnetic fuel level indicators. This proposed AD would require a one-
time detailed inspection of the magnetic fuel level indicator for
cracks and replacement of cracked magnetic fuel level indicators. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Saab AB,
Saab Aeronautics, 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 view this service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0521; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0521;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-047-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The agency specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The agency
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2019-0053, dated March 14, 2019 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Saab
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The MCAI states:
Occurrences have been reported where, during maintenance,
magnetic fuel level indicators were found with cracks in the O-ring
groove. Investigation results indicate that these cracks may be due
to over-torque during installation of the unit, although the
applicable Aircraft Maintenance Manual instructs that the proper nut
torque is between 2.8 and 3.4 Nm.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
failure of an indicator, possibly resulting in a puncture of the
fuel tank bottom, with consequent fuel leakage and risk of fuel
starvation.
To address this potential unsafe condition, SAAB issued the SB
[service bulletin] to provide inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of affected parts and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0521.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab
Aerosystems) has issued Service Bulletin 2000-28-027, dated January 15,
2019. This service information describes procedures for a one-time
detailed inspection of the magnetic fuel level indicator for cracks and
replacement of cracked magnetic fuel level indicators. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties
[[Page 31776]]
have access to it through their normal course of business or by the
means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
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, the FAA
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The agency is proposing this AD
because the agency evaluated all the relevant information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-027, dated January 15, 2019,
specifies to return faulty parts to the manufacturer. This proposed AD
would not include that requirement.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 11 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The agency estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510........................... $0 $510 $5,610
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The agency estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... $20,000 $20,170
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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.
The FAA is 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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the
Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; 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.
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:
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):
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab
Aerosystems): Docket No. FAA-2019-0521; Product Identifier 2019-NM-
047-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by August 19, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000
airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial
numbers.
[[Page 31777]]
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the o-ring groove
of magnetic fuel level indicators. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address this condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could
result in a severe fuel leak and consequent risk of fuel starvation.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this AD, an affected part is any
magnetic fuel level indicator having part number 35081587.
(2) For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable part is an
affected part that is new (not previously installed); or an affected
part that, before installation, has passed an inspection in
accordance with the instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-
027, dated January 15, 2019.
(h) Inspection
Within 3,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first
after the effective date of this AD, remove and perform a one-time
detailed inspection of each affected part for cracks in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
28-027, dated January 15, 2019.
(i) Corrective Action
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD,
any crack is detected on an affected part, before further flight,
replace that affected part with a serviceable part in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
28-027, dated January 15, 2019.
(j) No Parts Return
Although Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-027, dated January 15,
2019, specifies to return faulty parts to the manufacturer, this AD
does not require returning the faulty parts to the manufacturer.
(k) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install on
any airplane an affected part, provided that it is a serviceable
part as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(l) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. 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.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0053, dated March 14, 2019,
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0521.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab
AB, Saab Aeronautics, 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 view this service information at the FAA,
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206-231-3195.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 24, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14048 Filed 7-2-19; 8:45 am]
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