Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38588-38590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD; Amendment 39-13207; AD 2003-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. Models 
SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. (Shorts) Models SC-7 
Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This AD requires you to 
repetitively inspect all flight control system rods for corrosion and 
cracks, replace any cracked rod, and repair corrosion damage or replace 
any corroded rod depending on the extent of the damage. This AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of any flight 
control system rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could 
lead to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 11, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
August 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ 
Northern Ireland; telephone: +44 (0) 28 9045 8444; facsimile: +44 (0) 
28 9073 3396. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Civil Airworthiness Authority 
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, 
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Models 
SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. The CAA reports 27 flight 
control rods with corrosion beyond acceptable limits and 15 rods with 
cracks. This is on a total of 26 different aircraft.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracked or 
corroded flight control rods, if not detected or corrected, could lead 
to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent loss 
of control of the airplane.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all Shorts Models SC-7 Series 2 and 
SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 10, 2003 
(68 FR 17563). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect 
all flight control system rods for corrosion and cracks, replace any 
cracked rod, and repair corrosion damage or replace any corroded rod 
depending on the extent of the damage.
    The NPRM also proposed to give initial inspection credit to those 
operators who had previously inspected the flight control rods in 
accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any revision level).
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not 
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of 
the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
    [sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 38589]]

    [sbull] do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of 
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included 
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 24 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
initial inspection:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                             Parts cost                      Total cost per airplane            Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250 hours x $60 per hour = $15,000...  No parts necessary to accomplish       $15,000 per airplane.                 $15,000 x 24 airplanes = $360,000.
                                        inspection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The follow-up inspections will be substantially less than the 
initial inspection because the flight control rods only have to be 
removed in the initial inspection. Replacement control rods cost 
$2,000. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may 
need such repair/replacement.

Compliance Time of This AD

    What will be the compliance time of this AD? The initial inspection 
compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD or within 24 months after the last inspection 
accomplished in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any 
revision level), whichever occurs later.'' The repetitive inspection 
compliance time of this AD is ``thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
24 months.''
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition specified by this AD 
is caused by corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the 
aircraft is in operation or is in storage. Therefore, to ensure that 
the unsafe condition specified in this AD does not go undetected for a 
long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours TIS.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? 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.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy 
of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]


0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-13-07 Short Brothers and Harland Ltd.: Amendment 39-13207; 
Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of any flight control system 
rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could lead to 
complete failure of the flight control system with consequent loss 
of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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             Actions                             Compliance                              Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect all flight control     Initially inspect within the next 3     In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 system rods for cracks and         months after August 11, 2003 (the       INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
 corrosion damage.                  effective date of this AD or within     Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
                                    24 months after the last inspection     Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
                                    accomplished in accordance with
                                    Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any
                                    revision level), whichever occurs
                                    later, unless already accomplished.
                                    Repetitively inspect thereafter at
                                    intervals not to exceed 24 months.

[[Page 38590]]

 
(2) If corrosion is found during   Prior to further flight after the       In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 any inspection that does not       inspection where the damage is found.   INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
 exceed the limits specified in                                             Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
 Shorts Service Bulletin 27-77,                                             Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
 repair the corrosion damage on
 the affected flight control rod.
(3) If any crack is found or if    Prior to further flight after the       In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 corrosion damage that exceeds      inspection where the damage or cracks   INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
 the limits specified in Shorts     are found.                              Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
 Service Bulletin 27-77 is found                                            Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
 during any inspection required
 by this AD, replace the affected
 flight control rod.
(4) Do not install any used        As of August 11, 2003 (the effective    In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 flight control rod on any          date of this AD).                       INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
 affected airplane unless it has                                            Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
 been inspected and found to be                                             Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
 corrosion and crack free as
 specified in this AD. Then
 repetitively inspect as required
 in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, use 
the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the Manager, 
Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For information on any 
already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Doug 
Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-
4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue February 
27, 2003. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies from Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport 
Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ Northern Ireland; telephone: +44 (0) 28 9045 
8444; facsimile: +44 (0) 28 9073 3396. You may view copies at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note: The United Kingdom Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA) 
classified Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/
FEB/03, as mandatory. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as 
mandatory is the equivalent for airplanes on the British registry as 
an AD is for airplanes on the U.S. registry.

    (g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on August 11, 2003.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 16, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15853 Filed 6-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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