AD 2021-26-05 Requires Revising The Existing Maintenance Or Inspection Program

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-07-17, which applied to all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes.

AD 2020-07-17 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-07-17, it has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-07-17 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective February 15, 2022.

Supplementary Information: EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0132, dated May 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0132) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. EASA AD 2021-0132 superseded EASA AD 2019-0263, dated October 22, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0263) (which corresponds to FAA AD 2020-07-17, Amendment 39-19896 (85 FR 21764, April 20, 2020) (AD 2020-07-17)).

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-07-17. AD 2020-07-17 applied to all Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2021 (86 FR 54663). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to continue to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2019-0263. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0132. Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD (which restates paragraph (g) of AD 2020-07-17).

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.

FMI: www.regulations.gov