[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47660-47661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22533]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-12-AD; Amendment 39-11277; AD 99-18-11]
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 replacement of the
existing bolts that secure the elevator control torque tube bearing
housing retaining plate with hex head bolts. 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 reduced movement of the elevator controls and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, as a result of
bolts coming loose on the elevator control torque tube bearing housing
retaining plate.
DATES: Effective October 6, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 6, 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 34581). That
action proposed to require replacement of the existing bolts that
secure the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate
with hex head bolts.
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 46 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will come from the
operator's existing supply. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,040, or $240
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
[[Page 47661]]
``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:
99-18-11 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11277. Docket 99-NM-12-
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 (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 reduced movement of the elevator controls and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, as a result of
bolts coming loose on the elevator control torque tube bearing
housing retaining plate, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the existing bolts of the elevator control torque tube bearing
housing retaining plate with hex head bolts torqued to a value of 35
lb-ins, in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletins SD3 Sherpa-27-3,
Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series
airplanes); SD3-60 Sherpa-27-3, Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998
(for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes); SD330-27-37, Revision 1,
dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes); or
SD360-27-28, Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-60
series airplanes); as applicable.
Alternative Method 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 2: 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with the
following Shorts Service Bulletins, which contain the specified
effective pages:
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Revision level shown on
Service bulletin referenced and date Page/Number page Date shown on page
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SD3 SHERPA-27-3, Revision 1, November 1 1......................... Nov. 23, 1998
23, 1998. 2-5 Original.................. Nov. 16, 1998.
SD3 SHERPA-27-3, Revision 1, November 1 1......................... Nov. 23, 1998
23, 1998. 2-5 Original.................. Nov. 16, 1998.
SD330-27-37, Revision 1, November 23, 1 1......................... Nov. 23, 1998
1998. 2-5 Original.................. Nov. 16, 1998.
SD360-27-28, Revision 1, November 23, 1 1......................... Nov. 23, 1998
1998. 2-5 Original.................. Nov. 16, 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 directives 009-11-98, 010-11-98, 013-11-98, and 017-
11-98.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 6, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22533 Filed 8-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
