[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31508-31510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13505]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0476; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-247-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).
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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:
Corrosion damage has been found on the aft pressure bulkhead of
SAAB 2000 aeroplanes, located on the rear side of the bulkhead at
the bottom outboard flange. Corrosion damage in this area can become
the starting point for future crack initiation and propagation.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity of the aft pressure bulkhead, possibly
resulting in in-flight decompression of the fuselage and injury to
occupants.
* * * * *
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 July 18, 2011.
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 AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping, Sweden; telephone
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail
[email protected]; 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.
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, Aerospace
Engineer, 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-2011-0476;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-247-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 2010-0184, dated September 6, 2010 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Corrosion damage has been found on the aft pressure bulkhead of
SAAB 2000 aeroplanes, located on the rear side of the bulkhead at
the bottom outboard flange. Corrosion damage in this area can become
the starting point for future crack initiation and propagation.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity of the aft pressure bulkhead, possibly
resulting in in-flight decompression of the fuselage and injury to
occupants.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires a detailed
visual inspection of the aft pressure bulkhead at the bottom
outboard flange [for corrosion and drain hole] and, depending on
findings, corrective action.
Corrective actions include contacting the FAA or EASA (or its
delegated agent) for repair instructions if corrosion is found, and
drilling a drain hole. You may obtain further information by examining
the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems has issued Service Bulletin 2000-53-048,
Revision 01, dated September 3, 2009. 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 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
[[Page 31509]]
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 8 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
would take 12 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $8,160, or $1,020 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
a cost estimate for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need
these actions.
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-2011-0476; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NM-247-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by July 18, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000
airplanes, all serial numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Corrosion damage has been found on the aft pressure bulkhead of
SAAB 2000 aeroplanes, located on the rear side of the bulkhead at
the bottom outboard flange. Corrosion damage in this area can become
the starting point for future crack initiation and propagation.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity of the aft pressure bulkhead, possibly
resulting in in-flight decompression of the fuselage and injury to
occupants.
* * * * ** *
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection for corrosion of the aft pressure bulkhead at
the bottom outboard flange, and to determine if there is a drain
hole on the left-hand side inboard of the ventral fin, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-
53-048, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2009.
(h) If any corrosion is found during the inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the
corrosion in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA;
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or its delegated
agent.
(i) If no drain hole is found during the inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, drill a drain hole,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service
Bulletin 2000-53-048, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2009.
(j) Within 30 days after accomplishing the inspection required
by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is later: Report findings of corrosion to
Saab at Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems, SE-581 88, Link[ouml]ping,
Sweden; telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; e-mail
[email protected]. Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection
requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120 0056.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(k) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-048, dated July 6,
2009, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions required by paragraph (g) 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
(l) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International 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 Branch, send it
to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer,
[[Page 31510]]
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be e-mailed 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. The AMOC approval letter
must specifically reference this AD.
(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: A federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave.,
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance
Officer, AES-200.
Related Information
(m) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0184, dated
September 6, 2010; and Saab Service Bulletin 2000-53-048, Revision
01, dated September 3, 2009; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13505 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]
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