99-22386. Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 47370-47371]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-22386]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-NM-349-AD; Amendment 39-11275; AD 99-18-09]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30 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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-30 series airplanes, 
    that requires modification of electrical wiring associated with heater 
    components. 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 autofeather system, which could result in reduced 
    controllability of the airplane in the event of engine failure during 
    takeoff.
    
    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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-
    30 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 
    1999 (64 FR 34577). That action proposed to require modification of 
    electrical wiring associated with heater components.
    
    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.
    
    Conclusion
    
        The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
    require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required actions and that the average labor 
    rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be minimal. 
    Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
    estimated to be $9,720, or $360 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:
    
    99-18-09 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11275. Docket 98-NM-349-
    AD.
    
        Applicability: Model SD3-30 series airplanes that have been 
    modified in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-30, 
    dated June 1988; 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 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 failure of the autofeather system, which could result 
    in reduced controllability of the airplane in the event of engine 
    failure during takeoff, accomplish the following:
    
    Required Modification
    
        (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
    electrical wiring associated with component heaters in accordance 
    with Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998.
    
        Note 2: Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998, 
    references Shorts
    
    [[Page 47371]]
    
    Service Bulletin SD330-30-30, Revision 1, dated September 1997, as 
    an additional source of service information for modifying the 
    electrical wiring and removing equipment associated with component 
    heaters. Operators should note that Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-
    30-30, Revision 1, dated September 1997, requires that Pratt & 
    Whitney Service Bulletin No. 3222, Revision No. 2, be incorporated 
    prior to or in conjunction with the service bulletin.
    
    Alternative Methods of Compliance
    
        (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, 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
    
        (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.
    
    Incorporation by Reference
    
        (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Shorts 
    Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998. 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 directive 003-06-98.
    
        (e) 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. 99-22386 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/5/1999
Published:
08/31/1999
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-22386
Dates:
Effective October 5, 1999.
Pages:
47370-47371 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-NM-349-AD, Amendment 39-11275, AD 99-18-09
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
99-22386.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13