[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53937-53938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27355]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-220-AD; Amendment 39-10164; AD 97-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-30 series airplanes. This
action requires a one-time inspection to measure the depth of the skin
flutes of the skin panels of the rudder and elevators, and repair, if
necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that, due
to a manufacturing process error, the depth of certain skin flutes of
the rudder and elevators is less than the design specification. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent structural damage
and/or loss of the rudder or elevators if the airplane is operated
under ultimate load conditions, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective November 3, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 3, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 17, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-220-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Short Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. Box 241,
Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland. This information may
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary D. Lium, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is
the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Short Brothers Model
SD3-30 series airplanes. The CAA advises of findings that the depth of
the skin flutes of the port and starboard skin panels of the rudder and
elevators is less than the appropriate depth specified by the design
specification. The problem was noticed during the production of skin
flutes for the SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, and it was noted that
the same manufacturing process was used for Model SD3-30 series
airplanes. (The manufacturer advises that all SD3-60 SHERPA series
airplanes have been inspected, and that no unsafe condition exists with
regard to the skin flutes on these airplanes; therefore, Model SD3-60
SHERPA series airplanes are not included in the applicability of this
AD.) Such inadequate depth of the skin flutes, if not corrected, could
result in structural damage and/or loss of the rudder or elevators if
the airplane is operated under ultimate load conditions, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Service Bulletin SD330-55-19, dated
February 11, 1997, which describes procedures for performing a one-time
inspection to measure the depth of the skin flutes of the skin panels
of the rudder and elevators, and repair, if necessary. The CAA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British
airworthiness directive 006-02-97 in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent structural
damage and/or loss of the rudder or elevators if the airplane is
operated under ultimate load conditions, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane. This AD requires a one-time inspection
to measure the depth of the skin flutes of the skin panels of the
rudder and elevators, and repair, if necessary. The inspection is
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously. The repair of any discrepant skin flute is
required to be accomplished in accordance with a method approved by the
FAA.
[[Page 53938]]
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-220-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-21-11 Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-10164. Docket 97-NM-220-
AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-30 series airplanes, certificated
in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been otherwise
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific
proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent structural damage and/or loss of the rudder or
elevators if the airplane is operated under ultimate load
conditions, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days of the effective date of this AD, accomplish
a one-time inspection to measure the depth of the skin flutes of the
port and starboard skin panels of the rudder and elevators, in
accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD330-55-19, dated
February 11, 1997.
(1) If the depth of the skin flutes is within the limits
specified in the service bulletin, no further action is required by
this AD.
(2) If the depth of the skin flutes is beyond the limits
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair
it in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Short
Brothers Service Bulletin SD330-55-19, dated February 11, 1997. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Short Brothers, Airworthiness &
Engineering Quality, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ,
Northern Ireland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 3, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 9, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27355 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
