2025-02-15: 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) 2017-21-05, Amendment 39-19076 (82 FR 48917, October 23, 2017); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2025-02-15 Saab AB (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Support and Services): Amendment 39-22948; Docket No. FAA-2024-2016; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00111-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 19, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2017-21-05, Amendment 39-19076 (82 FR 48917, October 23, 2017) (AD 2017-21-05). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Saab AB (formerly known as Saab AB, Support and Services) Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2017-21-05, with no changes. For airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before December 1, 2016. Within 30 days after November 27, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-21-05): Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate airworthiness limitations, including inspection tasks for the drag brace support fitting of the main landing gear (MLG) and corrosion prevention and control (CPCP) related tasks, specified in SAAB 340 Airworthiness Limitation Manual, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2016. The compliance time for the initial airworthiness limitation tasks is at the applicable compliance time specified in SAAB 340 Airworthiness Limitation Manual, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2016, or within 30 days after November 27, 2017, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2017-21-05, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. (i) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0042, dated February 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0042). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (j) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0042 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0042. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0042 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, 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 2024-0042 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0042, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0042. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0042. (k) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (i) 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 2024-0042. (l) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (m) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 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, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (m) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov. (n) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following material was approved for IBR on March 19, 2025. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0042, dated February 13, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following material was approved for IBR on November 27, 2017 (82 FR 48917, October 23, 2017). (i) SAAB 340 Airworthiness Limitation Manual, Revision 1, dated December 1, 2016. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For the EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (6) For Saab AB material identified in this AD, contact Saab AB, SE-581 88, Linköping, Sweden; telephone +46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email saab340techsupport@saabgroup.com; website saab.com/products/air/regional-aircraft. (7) 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. (8) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on January 24, 2025. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02446 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P