Airworthiness directives: Saab,

[Federal Register: November 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 218)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 69061-69063]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr14no05-10]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22255; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-14362; AD 2005-23-04]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB 2000 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the manual feather-and-unfeather system for the propellers to make the design of the system more robust. This AD results from reports of in- flight engine shutdown caused by uncommanded operation of the feather pump of the propeller. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded feathering of the propeller, which could result in the shutdown of an engine during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 19, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, room PL-401, Washington, DC.

Contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 69062]]

Examining the Docket

You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005 (70 FR 52041). That NPRM proposed to require modifying the manual feather-and-unfeather system for the propellers to make the design of the system more robust.

Comments

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

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

This AD will affect about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions will take about 50 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $13,571 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $50,463, or $16,821 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 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. 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, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-23-04 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14362. Docket No. FAA- 2005-22255; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-106-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers -004 through -063 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of in-flight engine shutdown caused by uncommanded operation of the feather pump of the propeller. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded feathering of the propeller, which could result in the shutdown of an engine during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Modification

(f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the manual feather-and-unfeather system of the propellers by doing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, Revision 01, dated February 17, 2005.

Actions Accomplished Previously

(g) A modification accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, dated December 20, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) 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.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(i) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-198, dated February 14, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 2000-61-006, Revision 01, dated February 17, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

[[Page 69063]]

Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and

Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 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 October 27, 2005. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 05-22218 Filed 11-10-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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