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

Federal Register: July 21, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 138)

Proposed Rules

Page 35828-35830

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

DOCID:fr21jy09-26

Proposed Rules

Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2009-0654; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-083-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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:

There have been reported incidents of brinelling to the self- sealing coupling Part Number (P/N) 9304000-303 (Nipple Assembly).

The wear is visible in the groove of the nipple, caused by the socket locking balls. During tear down investigations of self- sealing coupling P/N 9304000-305 (Socket Assembly), internal socket wear has been observed. Wear that exceeds the allowable limits could lead to reduced oil flow, and further wear could contribute to separation of the Self-Seal Coupling, making the engine inoperable and subsequent shut down. As secondary damage, the generator may fail, releasing oil into the nacelle and increasing the possibility of fire.

* * * * *

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 20, 2009.

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 W12-40, 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 Aircraft AB, SAAB Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail saab2000.techsupport@saabgroup.com; Internet http://www.saabgroup.com.

You may review copies of the referenced 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 or 425-227-1152.

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, 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-2009-0654;

Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-083-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 2008-0030, dated February 15, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

There have been reported incidents of brinelling to the self- sealing coupling Part Number (P/N) 9304000-303 (Nipple Assembly).

The wear is visible in the groove of the nipple, caused by the socket locking balls. During tear down investigations of self- sealing coupling P/N 9304000-305 (Socket Assembly), internal socket wear has been observed. Wear that exceeds the allowable limits could lead to reduced oil flow, and further wear could contribute to separation of the Self-Seal Coupling, making the engine inoperable and subsequent shut down. As secondary damage, the generator may fail, releasing oil into the nacelle and increasing the possibility of fire.

For the reason described above, this Airworthiness Directive

(AD) requires the inspection of the affected nipple- and socket assemblies and, if wear is found outside the specified limits, replacement of worn parts.

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

Relevant Service Information

Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-79-006, Revision 01, dated

October 15, 2007. 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

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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.

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 proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 6 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed

AD on U.S. operators to be $480, or $80 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 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); 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 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:

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-2009-0654; Directorate

Identifier 2008-NM-083-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by August 20, 2009.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

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

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 79: Engine

Oil.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

There have been reported incidents of brinelling to the self- sealing coupling Part Number (P/N) 9304000-303 (Nipple Assembly).

The wear is visible in the groove of the nipple, caused by the socket locking balls. During tear down investigations of self- sealing coupling P/N 9304000-305 (Socket Assembly), internal socket wear has been observed. Wear that exceeds the allowable limits could lead to reduced oil flow, and further wear could contribute to separation of the Self-Seal Coupling, making the engine inoperable and subsequent shut down. As secondary damage, the generator may fail, releasing oil into the nacelle and increasing the possibility of fire.

For the reason described above, this Airworthiness Directive

(AD) requires the inspection of the affected nipple- and socket assemblies and, if wear is found outside the specified limits, replacement of worn parts.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD:

Inspect the affected nipple assembly part number (P/N) 9304000-303 and socket assembly P/N 9304000-305 for signs of damage, wear, and leaking of the nipple and socket, in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-79-006,

Revision 01, dated October 15, 2007. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.

(2) If any wear is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD that is beyond the limits as specified in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-79-006, Revision 01, dated October 15, 2007, prior to further flight, replace the part with a new or serviceable unit having the same part number, in accordance with

Saab Service Bulletin 2000-79-006, Revision 01, dated October 15, 2007.

(3) If any leak or damage is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the part with a new or serviceable unit having the same part number in accordance with step 2.C.(1)(a)6 or step 2.C.(1)(a)10, as applicable, in Saab Service Bulletin 2000-79-006, Revision 01, dated

October 15, 2007.

(4) Replacement of parts does not constitute terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) 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

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Daneshmandi, 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 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.

(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: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness

Directive 2008-0030, dated February 15, 2008; and Saab Service

Bulletin 2000-79-006, Revision 01, dated October 15, 2007; for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 2009.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. E9-17227 Filed 7-20-09; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P