Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 Series Airplanes

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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