AD 2020-25-02

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes; and Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain nose landing gear (NLG) door attachment bolts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. This AD requires replacing certain NLG door attachment bolts with serviceable bolts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\n((Page 81385)) \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2020-25-02 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39-21344; Docket No. FAA-2020-0840; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00907-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 21, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs) \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes; and Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by reports that certain nose landing gear (NLG) door attachment bolts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The FAA is issuing this AD to address NLG door attachment bolts that were incorrectly manufactured and are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, decreasing the mechanical characteristics. This condition could lead to failure of the affected parts, which would impair the link between the NLG and NLG door and could prevent the extension or retraction of the NLG, and cause consequent damage to the airplane and possible loss of control during landing. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EuropeanUnion Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0149, dated July 7, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0149). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0149 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0149 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0149 does not apply to this AD. \n\n\n\t(i) Other FAA AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. \n\t(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB, Support and Services' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220; email Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0149, dated July 7, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved). \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0149, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0840. \n\t(5)You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on November 23, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-27620 Filed 12-15-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0149, dated July 7, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0149) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes; and Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. \n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Saab AB, Support and Services Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes; and Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2020 (85 FR 57168). The NPRM was prompted by reports that certain NLG door attachment bolts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The NPRM proposed to require replacing certain NLG door attachment bolts with serviceable bolts, as specified in an EASA AD. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address NLG door attachment bolts that were incorrectly manufactured and are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, decreasing the mechanical characteristics. This condition could lead to failure of the affected parts, which would impair the link between the NLG and NLG door and could prevent the extension or retraction of the NLG, and cause consequent damage to the airplane and possible loss of control during landing. See the MCAI for additional background information. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe 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. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tEASA AD 2020-0149 describes procedures for identifying and replacing certain NLG door attachment bolts with serviceable bolts. This material 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. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 103 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tLabor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................... * $ * $170 * $17,510 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA to provide parts cost estimates for the bolt\n\n\treplacement specified in this AD. \n\n\n\tAccording to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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 inmore detail the scope of the Agency's authority. \n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.