Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18671 · Nacelles/pylons
Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes
This AD applies to all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (formerly known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Model SAAB 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to identify the type of fasteners installed on the upper longerons and upper fittings of the engine mounting structure (EMS), an inspection for discrepancies of certain fasteners, and corrective action if necessary. This AD was prompted by the discovery of blind fasteners installed in EMS upper fittings that do not meet the type design. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of blind fasteners that could cause crack development and vibration in the engine mount structure, which could lead to failure of the affected engine-mount-to-airplane structural connection and resultant detachment of an engine from the airplane when both sides of a nacelle are affected.
Within 30 days or 150 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a general visual inspection of the upper longerons and upper fittings of the EMS to identify the type of fasteners installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of SAAB 2000 Service Bulletin 2000-54-035, Revision 01, dated August 12, 2016.
For any fastener other than the fasteners specified in SAAB 2000 Service Bulletin 2000-54-035, Revision 01, dated August 12, 2016, found during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, do a detailed inspection for discrepancies of those fasteners, including gaps between the fastener heads and structure, traces of movement, and deformation of the structure, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of SAAB 2000 Service Bulletin 2000-54-035, Revision 01, dated August 12, 2016.
(1) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, any gap between the fastener heads and structure, traces of movement, or deformation of the structure is found: Before further flight obtain repair instructions from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); and before further flight accomplish those instructions accordingly.
(2) If all fasteners inspected as required by paragraph (h) of this AD are firmly attached, and no deformation of the structure is found: Within 30 days or 150 flight hours after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first, obtain repair instructions from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics' EASA DOA; and at the applicable time required in the repair instructions, accomplish the repair accordingly.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
