2021-26-05: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-07-17, Amendment 39-19896 (85 FR 21764, April 20, 2020); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2021-26-05 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39-21863; Docket No. FAA-2021-0841; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00622-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-07-17, Amendment 39-19896 (85 FR 21764, April 20, 2020) (AD 2020-07-17). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Reason This 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. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2020-07-17, with no changes. Except 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). Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0263, With Revised Exceptions This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2020-07-17, with revised exceptions. (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2019-0263 do not apply to this AD. (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 May 26, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-07-17). (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 May 26, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-07-17), whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2019-0263 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2019-0263 does not apply to this AD. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2020-07-17, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after 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 "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2019-0263. (j) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0132, dated May 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0132). Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0132 (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0132 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132 specifies revising "the approved AMP" 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 2021-0132 within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0132, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2021-0132 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0132 does not apply to this AD. (l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) 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 "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2021-0132. (m) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (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 (n) 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. (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' (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (n) Related Information For 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; Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov. (o) 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 February 15, 2022. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0132, dated May 25, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 26, 2020 (85 FR 21764, April 20, 2020). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2019-0263, dated October 22, 2019. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA AD 2019-0263 and EASA AD 2021-0132, contact 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. (6) 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. (7) 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on December 8, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-28580 Filed 1-10-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P