AD 2020-07-17

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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\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 (AD): \n\n2020-07-17 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39-19896; Docket No. FAA-2019-1073; Product Identifier 2019-NM-186-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective May 26, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected 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 SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/ Maintenance Checks.(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address, among other things, fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs) and corrosion prevention and control. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of a PSE, and lead to loss of control of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision \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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0263, dated October 22, 2019 (''EASA AD 2019-0263''). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0263 \n\n\n\t(1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2019-0263 do not apply to this AD. \n\t(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0263 specifies revising ''the approved AMP (aircraft maintenance program)'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the ''limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and intervals'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0263 within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0263 is at the applicable ''associated thresholds'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0263, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. \n\t(4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2019-0263 do not apply to this AD. \n\t(5) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0263 does not apply to this AD. \n\n(i) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) \n\n\n\tAfter the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the \n\n((Page 21766)) \n\n''Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2019-0263. \n\n(j) 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, 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using anyapproved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 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, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab SB Support and Services' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor 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; email Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov. \n\n(l) 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 2019-0263, dated October 22, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0263, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 6017; 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, 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. 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- 2019-1073. \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 April 3, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-08202 Filed 4-17-20; 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 2019-0263, dated October 22, 2019 (''EASA AD 2019-0263'') (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 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 SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2020 (85 FR 2911). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in an EASA AD. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address,among other things, fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs) and corrosion prevention and control. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of a PSE, and lead to loss of control of the airplane. 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. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nClarification of Paragraph (i) of This AD \n\n\n\tOnce a maintenance or inspection program is revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, paragraph (i) of this AD does not allow for the later \n\n((Page 21765)) \n\nuse of alternative actions or intervals unless these alternative actions or intervals are approved as specified in the ''Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2019-0288. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed language using the word ''except.'' To make the language consistent with the language in the ''Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2019-0288, the FAA has changed the wording to ''unless they are approved.'' \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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tEASA AD 2019-0263 describes airworthiness limitations for safe life limits, structural limitation items, and fuel airworthiness items, as well as certification maintenance requirements. 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 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\tThe FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the past, the agency has estimated that this action takes 1 work hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per- airplane estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour). \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 in more 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: \n\t(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.