The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2005 (70 FR 32540), proposed to require an inspection for cracking of the fastener holes in the front and rear spars, a modification of the fastener holes of the front and rear spars and the rear spar web, and related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary.
New Relevant Service Information
Saab has issued Service Bulletin 2000-57-038, Revision 01, dated June 24, 2004. The proposed AD refers to Saab Service Bulletin 2000-57- 038, dated December 18, 2002, as the acceptable source of service information for doing the proposed actions. The procedures in Revision 01 of the service bulletin are essentially the same as those in the original issue. Therefore, we have revised paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD to refer to Revision 01 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information for doing the actions required by those paragraphs. We have also added a new paragraph (h) to this AD (and re-identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly) to give credit for actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
The FAA has revised the applicability of this AD to identify model designations as published in the most recent type certificate data sheet for the affected models.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 3 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required actions (inspections and modification) will take about 250 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $8,557 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $74,421, or $24,807 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. 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
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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 airworthiness directive (AD):