AD 2008-23-02

Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do visual inspections of both the aft engine mounting assemblies to find if the center bracket is correct (no sharp edges) from the manufacturer.

(2) If no sharp edge is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, inspect to determine if the aft engine mounting assembly and center bracket are identified with a “-1,” and before further flight re-identify the parts that are not identified with a “-1,” in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-71-025, dated June 13, 2007. Following the re-identification, no further action is required by this AD for airplanes on which no sharp edge is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(3) If any sharp edge is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the action in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-71-025, dated June 13, 2007.

(i) Do a general visual inspection for cracking of the center bracket of both of the aft engine mounting assemblies, with the bracket on the wing, and repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours until the action required by paragraph (f)(4) of this AD is accomplished.

(ii) Do general visual and penetrant inspections for cracking of the center bracket of both of the aft engine mounting assemblies, with the bracket off the wing.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”

(4) At the applicable time in paragraph (f)(4)(i) or (f)(4)(ii) of this AD, do the applicable actions in those paragraphs in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 2000-71-025, dated June 13, 2007. Doing the applicable action terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this AD.

(i) If no cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, rework the center bracket, and re-identify the aft engine mounting assembly and center bracket.

(ii) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, before further flight, replace the aft engine mounting assembly with an assembly and bracket identified with a “-1” part number.

(5) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 2000-71-023, Revision 01, dated June 13, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.

Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information allows further flight after cracks are found during compliance with the required action, paragraph (f)(4) of this AD requires that you replace a cracked aft engine mounting assembly before further flight.