[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66063-66066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25204]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD; Amendment 
39-19802; AD 2019-23-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly 
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-
19, which applied to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 
airplanes. AD 2019-03-19 required a functional check of certain fuel 
probes, and replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD 
continues to require a functional check of certain fuel probes, and 
replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD also revises 
the definition of a ``serviceable part.'' This AD was prompted by 
reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel quantities 
on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 2, 
2019 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 referenced 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. It 
is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for

[[Page 66064]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0669.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0669; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019 (``EASA AD 2018-0187R1'') (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the 
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0669.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, 
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19''). AD 2019-03-19 applied to all 
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on September 12, 2019 (84 FR 48083). The NPRM 
was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading 
fuel quantities on the EICAS. The NPRM proposed to continue to require 
a functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a 
serviceable part if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to revise the 
definition of a ``serviceable part.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced control 
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Change Made to Paragraph (g) of This AD

    Based on a recommendation by Office of the Federal Register (OFR), 
the FAA has revised paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to only include the new 
definition of a ``serviceable part,'' which has been changed from the 
definition used in AD 2019-03-19. Paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD 
included an explanation that operators who have already complied with 
the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD before the effective date 
of this AD using the previous definition of a ``serviceable part'' do 
not need to redo the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD 
using the new definition of a serviceable part. The FAA has removed 
that information from paragraph (g)(2) of this AD and added that 
information to note 1 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. The intent of 
that information has not changed.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule with the 
changes described previously and minor editorial changes. The FAA has 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    This AD requires Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 
2018, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of April 2, 2019 (84 FR 6062, February 
26, 2019). This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2019-03-19...  8 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $680          $5,440
                                         hour = $680.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170....          $6,295           $6,465
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[[Page 66065]]

    The new definition of a ``serviceable part'' specified in this AD 
adds no additional economic burden.

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 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 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) 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019), and 
adding the following new AD:

2019-23-08 Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aerosystems): Amendment 39-19802; Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 7, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, 
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19'').

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes 
indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine indicating and 
crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to 
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and 
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Retained Definition of Affected Part and New Definition of a 
Serviceable Part

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2019-03-19, with a new definition of a ``serviceable part.''
    (1) An ``affected part'' is a fuel probe having part number (P/
N) 20136-0101, P/N 20136-0102, P/N 20136-0103, P/N 20136-0104, P/N 
20136-0105, or P/N 20136-0106; with fuel low level sensors having P/
N 20137-0101.
    (2) A ``serviceable part'' is an affected part that has 
accumulated less than 1,500 total flight hours or 12 months since 
first installation on an airplane, having been checked and found to 
be within the acceptable tolerances, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018, or received as serviceable following repair or 
overhaul.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2):  The definition of a ``serviceable 
part'' has been changed as of the effective date of this AD. 
Operators who have already complied with the requirements of 
paragraph (i) of this AD before the effective date of this AD using 
the previous definition of a ``serviceable part,'' which was ``an 
affected part that has accumulated less than 1,500 total flight 
hours or 12 months since first installation on an airplane,'' do not 
need to redo the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD 
using the new definition of a serviceable part.

(h) Retained Functional Check, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2019-03-19, with no changes. Within 1,500 flight hours or 12 months 
after April 2, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-03-19), whichever 
occurs first, accomplish a functional check of the fuel indicator 
gauging accuracy and the low level warning, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018.

(i) Retained Corrective Action, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2019-03-19, with no changes. If the functional check required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD is found to be out of tolerance, within the 
limits and under the applicable conditions, as specified in the 
operator's existing Minimum Equipment List (MEL), replace the 
affected part with a serviceable part, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, 
dated April 19, 2018.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, an affected part, unless it is a serviceable part, as 
defined in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (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 (l)(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: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement

[[Page 66066]]

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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab 
Aeronautics' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0669.
    (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.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 2, 2019 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019).
    (i) Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.
    (6) You may view this 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25204 Filed 12-2-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P