Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54651-54652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26956]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-175-AD; Amendment 39-12484; AD 2001-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 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 series airplanes, that 
requires an inspection to find discrepancies of the hydraulic pipelines 
to the 7P panel and adjacent electrical wiring harnesses, and 
corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to find and 
fix such discrepancies, which could result in electrical arcing between 
the hydraulic lines and adjacent wiring, and a potential fire. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 4, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 4, 2001.

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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 17, 
2001 (66 FR 43126). That action proposed to require an inspection to 
find discrepancies of the hydraulic pipelines to the 7P panel and 
adjacent electrical wiring harnesses, 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.

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 75 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,500, 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

[[Page 54652]]

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:

2001-22-05  Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-12484. Docket 2001-NM-
175-AD.

    Applicability: This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 
1, certificated in any category:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
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           Short Brothers model                      Description
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1. SD3-SHERPA series airplanes............  On which Short Brothers
                                             Modification K2239 has not
                                             been accomplished.
2. SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes.........  On which Short Brothers
                                             Modification K6109 has not
                                             been accomplished.
3. SD3-60 series airplanes................  On which Short Brothers
                                             Modification A8684 has not
                                             been accomplished.
4. SD3-30 series airplanes................  On which Short Brothers
                                             Modification P4810 has not
                                             been accomplished.
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    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 find and fix discrepancies of the hydraulic pipelines to the 
7P panel and adjacent electrical wiring harnesses, which could 
result in electrical arcing between the hydraulic lines and adjacent 
wiring, and a potential fire, accomplish the following:

Inspection/Corrective Action

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed visual inspection to find discrepancies (inadequate 
clearance, chafing, or damage) of the hydraulic pipelines to the 7P 
panel and adjacent electrical wiring harnesses, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Shorts Service Bulletins SD3 SHERPA-
24-5, SD330-24-29, SD360-24-25, or SD360 SHERPA-24-4, all dated 
April 30, 2001; as applicable. Before further flight, fix any 
discrepancies found per 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.''

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-24-5, dated April 30, 2001; Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD330-24-29, dated April 30, 2001; Shorts Service Bulletin 
SD360-24-25, dated April 30, 2001; or Shorts Service Bulletin SD360 
SHERPA-24-4, dated April 30, 2001; 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 006-04-2001, 007-04-2001, 008-04-2001, and 
009-04-2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 4, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-26956 Filed 10-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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