[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66063-66066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25204]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0669; Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD; Amendment
39-19802; AD 2019-23-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-
19, which applied to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000
airplanes. AD 2019-03-19 required a functional check of certain fuel
probes, and replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD
continues to require a functional check of certain fuel probes, and
replacement with a serviceable part if necessary. This AD also revises
the definition of a ``serviceable part.'' This AD was prompted by
reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading fuel quantities
on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 2,
2019 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden;
telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email
[email protected]; internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
You may view this referenced service information 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. It
is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for
[[Page 66064]]
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0669.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0669; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019 (``EASA AD 2018-0187R1'') (also
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Saab
Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0669.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062,
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19''). AD 2019-03-19 applied to all
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published
in the Federal Register on September 12, 2019 (84 FR 48083). The NPRM
was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes indicated misleading
fuel quantities on the EICAS. The NPRM proposed to continue to require
a functional check of certain fuel probes, and replacement with a
serviceable part if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to revise the
definition of a ``serviceable part.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to
address deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced control
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Comments
The 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.
Change Made to Paragraph (g) of This AD
Based on a recommendation by Office of the Federal Register (OFR),
the FAA has revised paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to only include the new
definition of a ``serviceable part,'' which has been changed from the
definition used in AD 2019-03-19. Paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD
included an explanation that operators who have already complied with
the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD before the effective date
of this AD using the previous definition of a ``serviceable part'' do
not need to redo the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD
using the new definition of a serviceable part. The FAA has removed
that information from paragraph (g)(2) of this AD and added that
information to note 1 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. The intent of
that information has not changed.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule with the
changes described previously and minor editorial changes. The FAA has
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
This AD requires Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19,
2018, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for
incorporation by reference as of April 2, 2019 (84 FR 6062, February
26, 2019). This service information 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2019-03-19... 8 work-hours x $85 per $0 $680 $5,440
hour = $680.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... $6,295 $6,465
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[[Page 66065]]
The new definition of a ``serviceable part'' specified in this AD
adds no additional economic burden.
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.
The 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019), and
adding the following new AD:
2019-23-08 Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB,
Saab Aerosystems): Amendment 39-19802; Docket No. FAA-2019-0669;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-091-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 7, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2019-03-19, Amendment 39-19571 (84 FR 6062,
February 26, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-19'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (formerly known
as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model SAAB 2000 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports that certain fuel probes
indicated misleading fuel quantities on the engine indicating and
crew alerting system (EICAS). The FAA is issuing this AD to address
deteriorated capacity of the fuel probes, which could lead to
incorrect fuel reading, possibly resulting in fuel starvation and
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and consequent reduced
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Definition of Affected Part and New Definition of a
Serviceable Part
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2019-03-19, with a new definition of a ``serviceable part.''
(1) An ``affected part'' is a fuel probe having part number (P/
N) 20136-0101, P/N 20136-0102, P/N 20136-0103, P/N 20136-0104, P/N
20136-0105, or P/N 20136-0106; with fuel low level sensors having P/
N 20137-0101.
(2) A ``serviceable part'' is an affected part that has
accumulated less than 1,500 total flight hours or 12 months since
first installation on an airplane, having been checked and found to
be within the acceptable tolerances, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028,
dated April 19, 2018, or received as serviceable following repair or
overhaul.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2): The definition of a ``serviceable
part'' has been changed as of the effective date of this AD.
Operators who have already complied with the requirements of
paragraph (i) of this AD before the effective date of this AD using
the previous definition of a ``serviceable part,'' which was ``an
affected part that has accumulated less than 1,500 total flight
hours or 12 months since first installation on an airplane,'' do not
need to redo the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD
using the new definition of a serviceable part.
(h) Retained Functional Check, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD
2019-03-19, with no changes. Within 1,500 flight hours or 12 months
after April 2, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-03-19), whichever
occurs first, accomplish a functional check of the fuel indicator
gauging accuracy and the low level warning, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028,
dated April 19, 2018.
(i) Retained Corrective Action, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD
2019-03-19, with no changes. If the functional check required by
paragraph (h) of this AD is found to be out of tolerance, within the
limits and under the applicable conditions, as specified in the
operator's existing Minimum Equipment List (MEL), replace the
affected part with a serviceable part, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028,
dated April 19, 2018.
(j) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on
any airplane, an affected part, unless it is a serviceable part, as
defined in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(k) Other FAA AD Provisions
(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 (l)(2) of this AD. Information
may be emailed to [email protected]. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of
this AD, for any requirement
[[Page 66066]]
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the
action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab
Aeronautics' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(l) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0187R1, dated May 10, 2019, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2019-0669.
(2) For 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.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(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.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
April 2, 2019 (84 FR 6062, February 26, 2019).
(i) Saab Service Bulletin 2000-28-028, dated April 19, 2018.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab
AB, Saab Aeronautics, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email
[email protected]; internet http://www.saabgroup.com.
(5) You may view this service information 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.
(6) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25204 Filed 12-2-19; 8:45 am]
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