[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47368-47370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22385]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-369-AD; Amendment 39-11276; AD 99-18-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60
SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 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-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-
30, and SD3-60 series airplanes, that requires a one-time detailed
visual inspection of the emergency brake accumulator mounting structure
for evidence of cracking; and corrective action, 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 failure of the mounting
angle that supports the emergency brake system due to cracking, which
could result in loss of the emergency brake system.
DATES: Effective October 5, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 5, 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-
SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on June 28, 1999 (64 FR 34575). That
action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection of the
emergency brake accumulator mounting structure for evidence of
cracking; and corrective action, 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.
Explanation of Change Made to Proposal
The FAA has added a note to the final rule to clarify the
definition of a detailed visual inspection.
[[Page 47369]]
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.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 56 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour 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 required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,360,
or $60 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:
99-18-10 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11276. Docket 98-NM-369-
AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and
SD3-60 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 failure of the mounting angle that supports the
emergency brake system due to cracking, which could result in loss
of the emergency brake system, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a detailed visual inspection of the emergency brake accumulator
mounting angle for evidence of cracking in accordance with Shorts
Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-29-2 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series
airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-29-1 (for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series
airplanes); SD330-29-19 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes); or
SD360-29-06 (for Model SD3-60 series airplanes); all dated October
22, 1998; as applicable. If any cracking is found, prior to further
flight, remove and replace the mounting angle with a new or
serviceable part in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
Reporting
(b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection
results (both positive and negative findings) to Short Brothers PLC,
Mel Smith, Team Leader Customer Support, facsimile number: 44-1232-
733024. Information collection requirements contained in this
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance
with Shorts Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-29-2, dated October 22,
1998; Shorts Service Bulletin SD360 SHERPA-29-1, dated October 22,
1998; Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-29-19, dated October 22, 1998;
or Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-29-06, dated October 22, 1998; as
applicable. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directives 009-10-98, 011-10-98, 008-10-98, and 010-
10-98.
[[Page 47370]]
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 5, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22385 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
