Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Airplanes, 43052-43055 [2023-14227]

Download as PDF 43052 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 128 / Thursday, July 6, 2023 / Rules and Regulations review of Brunei’s continued designation as a participating country in the VWP. The comprehensive review assessed Brunei’s counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration, border control, and document security capabilities and practices. DHS identified a number of areas of noncompliance with VWP requirements. DHS formally communicated its concerns to senior Government of Brunei officials and provided a list of action items with associated timelines for completion which, if timely completed, would address DHS’s concerns, and maintain Brunei’s standing as a participating country in the VWP. DHS and the U.S. Department of State engaged regularly with Bruneian officials at both the technical and political levels over the following years to provide technical assistance and encourage progress. However, Brunei failed to meet the deadlines outlined in its VWP workplan. A July 2022 DHS incountry periodic review showed that Brunei still had made insufficient progress on the workplan. This noncompliance compromises the integrity of the VWP as a security partnership. DHS is publishing this notice announcing that effective July 6, 2023, DHS is decreasing Brunei’s ESTA validity period for travel to the United States from two years to one year for applications received after the effective date of this notice. Should Brunei’s noncompliance with VWP requirements continue, DHS, in consultation with State, may make further adjustments to Brunei’s VWP designation at any time, including suspension or termination from the program. Robert Silvers, Under Secretary, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2023–13441 Filed 7–5–23; 4:15 pm] lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 BILLING CODE P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Jul 05, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2023–1401; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00760–T; Amendment 39–22492; AD 2023–13–07] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 340B airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the affected airplanes must not be operated at a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) above 29,000 pounds. This AD requires amending the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating a temporary revision (TR) to reduce the MTOW, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective July 21, 2023. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 21, 2023. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 21, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1401; 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 mandatory SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For material incorporated by reference 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. • You may view this service information 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 2023–1401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206–231–3220; email shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2023–1401; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00760–T’’ at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this final rule. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 128 / Thursday, July 6, 2023 / Rules and Regulations that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 231–3220; email shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023–0121, dated June 13, 2023 (EASA AD 2023– 0121) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 340B airplanes. The MCAI states that the affected airplanes must not be operated at a MTOW above 29,000 pounds. This condition, if not corrected, could allow flight in an uncertified envelope, and therefore could lead to a potential unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of flight in an uncertified envelope, which could result in reduced structural capability and reduced controllability of the airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1401. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 EASA AD 2023–0121 specifies procedures for amending the applicable AFM by incorporating the specified AFM TR to reduce the MTOW. This material 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. FAA’s Determination This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Jul 05, 2023 Jkt 259001 on other products of the same type design. Requirements of This AD This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2023– 0121 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Compliance With AFM Revisions EASA AD 2023–0121 requires operators to ‘‘inform all flight crews’’ of revisions to the AFM, and thereafter to ‘‘operate the aeroplane accordingly.’’ However, this AD would not specifically require those actions as those actions are already required by FAA regulations. FAA regulations require operators furnish to pilots any changes to the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 121.137), and to ensure the pilots are familiar with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505). As with any other flightcrew training requirement, training on the updated AFM content is tracked by the operators and recorded in each pilot’s training record, which is available for the FAA to review. FAA regulations also require pilots to follow the procedures in the existing AFM including all updates. 14 CFR 91.9 requires that any person operating a civil aircraft must comply with the operating limitations specified in the AFM. Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to operate the airplane according to the revised AFM would be redundant and unnecessary. Explanation of Required Compliance Information In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2023–0121 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2023–0121 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023–0121 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ‘‘all required actions and compliance times,’’ compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled ‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2023–0121. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 43053 Service information required by EASA AD 2023–0121 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1401 after this AD is published. FAA’s Justification and Determination of the Effective Date Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ‘‘good cause,’’ finds that those procedures are ‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause. An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the MTOW for the airplane was increased from 29,000 to 30,000 pounds without determining if the propeller MTOW could be increased to 30,000 pounds. Therefore, the airplanes must not be operated at a MTOW above 29,000 pounds. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the possibility of flight in an uncertified envelope, which could result in reduced structural capability and reduced controllability of the airplane. In addition, the required AFM amendment must be done within a compliance time of 7 days in order to address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and comment. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 43054 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 128 / Thursday, July 6, 2023 / Rules and Regulations Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 64 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 .............................................................................................. $0 $85 $5,440 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. Regulatory Findings 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, and (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Amendment 16:01 Jul 05, 2023 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ■ 2023–13–07 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39–22492; Docket No. FAA–2023–1401; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00760–T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 21, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Saab AB, Support and Services (formerly known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023–0121, dated June 13, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0121). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 51, Standard practices/ structures. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that the affected airplanes must not be operated at a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) above 29,000 pounds. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of flight in an uncertified envelope, which could result in reduced structural capability and reduced controllability of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: VerDate Sep<11>2014 (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0121 PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Jkt 259001 Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023–0121. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (1) Where EASA AD 2023–0121 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023– 0121 specifies to ‘‘inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly,’’ this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 91.505, and 14 CFR 121.137). (3) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 2023–0121. (i) 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB, Support and Services’ EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator’s maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 128 / Thursday, July 6, 2023 / Rules and Regulations (j) 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. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023–0121, dated June 13, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023–0121, 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 EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) 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. (5) 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued on June 27, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023–14227 Filed 7–3–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2023–1395; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00720–R; Amendment 39–22485; AD 2023–12–26] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 AGENCY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021–24– 04, which applied to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Jul 05, 2023 Jkt 259001 Model 505 helicopters. AD 2021–24–04 required revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2021–24–04, Bell Textron Canada Limited revised the RFM to incorporate more restrictive operating limitations. This AD is prompted by the determination that the existing altitude limitations were not valid for certain fuel types and that revising the existing RFM for your helicopter to align with the limitations of the Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Model ARRIUS 2R engine is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing RFM for your helicopter, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective July 21, 2023. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 21, 2023. The FAA must receive any comments on this AD by August 21, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1395; 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, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For Transport Canada material that is incorporated by reference in this final rule, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, CANADA; phone 888–663–3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectivesConsignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; internet tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You may find the Transport Canada material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 43055 • You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1395. Other Related Service Information: For Bell service information identified in this final rule, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; phone 1–450–437–2862 or 1–800–363–8023; fax 1–450–433–0272; email productsupport@bellflight.com; or at bellflight.com/support/contact-support. You may also view this service information at the FAA contact information under Material Incorporated by Reference above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hughlett, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone (817) 222–5889; email Michael.Hughlett@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2023–1395; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00720–R’’ at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this final rule. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, E:\FR\FM\06JYR1.SGM 06JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 128 (Thursday, July 6, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43052-43055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14227]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1401; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00760-T; 
Amendment 39-22492; AD 2023-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly 
Known as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 340B airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a determination that the affected airplanes must not 
be operated at a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) above 29,000 pounds. 
This AD requires amending the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM) 
by incorporating a temporary revision (TR) to reduce the MTOW, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 21, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 21, 
2023.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1401; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this service information 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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3220; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1401; Project Identifier MCAI-
2023-00760-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private,

[[Page 43053]]

that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive 
to this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which 
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0121, dated June 13, 2023 (EASA 
AD 2023-0121) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 340B 
airplanes. The MCAI states that the affected airplanes must not be 
operated at a MTOW above 29,000 pounds. This condition, if not 
corrected, could allow flight in an uncertified envelope, and therefore 
could lead to a potential unsafe condition.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of flight in 
an uncertified envelope, which could result in reduced structural 
capability and reduced controllability of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1401.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0121 specifies procedures for amending the applicable 
AFM by incorporating the specified AFM TR to reduce the MTOW. This 
material 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.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other products of the same type design.

Requirements of This AD

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2023-0121 described previously, except for any differences identified 
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.

Compliance With AFM Revisions

    EASA AD 2023-0121 requires operators to ``inform all flight crews'' 
of revisions to the AFM, and thereafter to ``operate the aeroplane 
accordingly.'' However, this AD would not specifically require those 
actions as those actions are already required by FAA regulations. FAA 
regulations require operators furnish to pilots any changes to the AFM 
(for example, 14 CFR 121.137), and to ensure the pilots are familiar 
with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505). As with any other flightcrew 
training requirement, training on the updated AFM content is tracked by 
the operators and recorded in each pilot's training record, which is 
available for the FAA to review. FAA regulations also require pilots to 
follow the procedures in the existing AFM including all updates. 14 CFR 
91.9 requires that any person operating a civil aircraft must comply 
with the operating limitations specified in the AFM. Therefore, 
including a requirement in this AD to operate the airplane according to 
the revised AFM would be redundant and unnecessary.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, 
EASA AD 2023-0121 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD 
requires compliance with EASA AD 2023-0121 in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as 
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0121 does not mean 
that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where 
the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance 
times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the 
section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 
2023-0121. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0121 for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2023-1401 after this AD is published.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the MTOW for the airplane was increased from 29,000 to 30,000 
pounds without determining if the propeller MTOW could be increased to 
30,000 pounds. Therefore, the airplanes must not be operated at a MTOW 
above 29,000 pounds.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in the possibility 
of flight in an uncertified envelope, which could result in reduced 
structural capability and reduced controllability of the airplane. In 
addition, the required AFM amendment must be done within a compliance 
time of 7 days in order to address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

[[Page 43054]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 64 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................              $0              $85           $5,440
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Regulatory Findings

    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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2023-13-07 Saab AB, Support and Services (Formerly Known as Saab AB, 
Saab Aeronautics): Amendment 39-22492; Docket No. FAA-2023-1401; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00760-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 21, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Saab AB, Support and Services (formerly known 
as Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics) Model SAAB 340B airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0121, dated June 13, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0121).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 51, Standard 
practices/structures.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the affected 
airplanes must not be operated at a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) 
above 29,000 pounds. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
possibility of flight in an uncertified envelope, which could result 
in reduced structural capability and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0121.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0121

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0121 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0121 specifies to 
``inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as those 
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations 
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 91.505, and 14 CFR 121.137).
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0121.

(i) 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 International 
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified 
in paragraph (j) 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 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, Support and Services' 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

[[Page 43055]]

(j) 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 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0121, 
dated June 13, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0121, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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 
[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 27, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14227 Filed 7-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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