[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5588-5589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2496]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-289-AD; Amendment 39-11020; AD 99-03-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes,
that requires a one-time visual inspection to determine the part number
of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine
controls; and replacement of the power control cable assemblies and
pulleys (as applicable) with new parts, if necessary. This amendment is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent breakage of the power control cable
assemblies due to the inflexible construction of the cable, which could
result in loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: Effective March 11, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 11, 1999.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60
SHERPA series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
November 30, 1998 (63 FR 65718). That action proposed to require a one-
time visual inspection to determine the part number of the power
control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls; and
replacement of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys (as
applicable) with new parts, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Additional Service Information
Since the issuance of the proposal, Short Brothers has issued
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 1, dated October 14,
1998. The FAA has determined that the technical procedures described in
that revision are equivalent to the technical procedures described in
SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated July 1998 (which was cited in the proposal as
the appropriate source of service
[[Page 5589]]
information for accomplishment of the actions). The only change
effected by Revision 1 is to clarify certain procedures. The final rule
has been revised to require accomplishment of the actions in accordance
with either the original issue or Revision 1 of the service bulletin.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described.
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $25,200, or $900
per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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:
99-03-06 Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-11020. Docket 98-NM-289-
AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-60 SHERPA 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
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been 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 (c) 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 breakage of the power control cable assemblies due to
the inflexible construction of the cable, which could result in loss
of engine power and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to determine the part
number (P/N) of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of
the engine controls, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated
July 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 14, 1998.
(1) If any power control cable assembly having P/N SD3-47-1091
or SD3-47-1094 is found, prior to further flight, replace the power
control cable assembly with a new power control cable assembly in
accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
(2) If any pulley having P/N C181605 is found, prior to further
flight, replace the pulley with a new pulley in accordance with Part
C of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on the engine controls of any airplane a cable assembly having P/N
SD3-47-1091 or SD3-47-1094, or any pulley having P/N C181605.
(c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
(e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance
with Shorts
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated July 1998, or with
Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 1, dated
October 14, 1998, which contains the following list of effective
pages:
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Revision Level
Page No. shown on page Date shown on page
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1-3, 7, 8, 10-16, 23, 29........ 1................. July 1998.
4-6, 9, 17-22, 24-28............ Original.......... Oct. 14, 1998.
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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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 004-07-98.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 11, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 28, 1999.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-2496 Filed 2-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
