Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48363-48365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17759]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-178-AD; Amendment 39-13760; AD 2004-16-04]
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 all Short Brothers Model SD3 series airplanes. This AD 
requires testing for stiffness of the aft pintle pin bushing of the 
main landing gear (MLG), and inspecting and measuring the aft pintle 
pin bushings of the MLG for damage, and for out-of-limit dimensions of 
the bushing bore. This AD also requires corrective action if necessary. 
This action is necessary to detect and correct corrosion and 
deterioration of the aft pintle pin bushings of the MLG. Corrosion and 
deterioration of the bushings, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in the MLG not extending fully during landing, with consequent 
damage to the airplane structure. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 14, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 14, 2004.

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 National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 all Short Brothers Model SD3 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2004 
(69 FR 32922). That action proposed to require testing for stiffness of 
the aft pintle pin bushing of the main landing gear (MLG), and 
inspecting and measuring the aft pintle pin bushings of the MLG for 
damage, and for out-of-limit dimensions of the bushing bore. That 
action also proposed to require 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.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we may consider further rulemaking then.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 108 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 30 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $210,600, or $1,950 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

[[Page 48364]]

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

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-16-04 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-13760. Docket 2003-NM-
178-AD.

    Applicability: All Model SD3 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct corrosion and deterioration of the aft 
pintle pin bushings of the main landing gear (MLG), which could 
result in the MLG not extending fully during landing, with 
consequent damage to the airplane structure, accomplish the 
following:

Service Bulletin Reference

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as 
applicable:
    (1) For Model SD3-30 series airplanes: Short Brothers Service 
Bulletin SD330-32-122, dated April 30, 2003.
    (2) For Model SD3 SHERPA series airplanes: Short Brothers 
Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-32-3, dated April 30, 2003.
    (3) For Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes: Short Brothers 
Service Bulletin SD360 SHERPA-32-2, dated April 30, 2003.
    (4) For Model SD3-60 series airplanes: Short Brothers Service 
Bulletin SD360-32-36, Revision 1, dated May 26, 2003.

    Note 1: Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD360-32-36 references 
Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD360-32-03, dated November 1983, as 
an additional source of service information for replacement of 
certain bushings, if necessary.

Tests, Inspection, Measurements, and Corrective Action

    (b) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
friction test for stiffness of the aft pintle pin bushings of the 
MLG, and a detailed inspection for any defect of the bushings of the 
aft pintle pin of the MLG; and measure the bore diameter of the 
bushings (if a defect is found, this paragraph requires that the 
bushing be replaced; therefore, it is not necessary to do the bore 
diameter measurement on that bushing). Do all applicable corrective 
actions and other specified actions prior to further flight. Do all 
actions per the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

No Reporting Requirement

    (c) Although the service bulletins specify to send certain items 
to Short Brothers for evaluation (i.e., results of the friction 
tests, unserviceable bushings, and photographs of serviceable 
bushings), this AD does not require that action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to approve alternative 
methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with the Short 
Brothers service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD, as 
applicable.

                 Table 1.--Applicable Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Short Brothers service
           bulletin             Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD330-32-122.................  Original.......  April 30, 2003.
SD360-32-36..................  Revision 1.....  May 26, 2003.
SD3 SHERPA-32-3..............  Original.......  April 30, 2003.
SD360 SHERPA-32-2............  Original.......  April 30, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD360-32-36, Revision 1, dated 
May 26, 2003, contains the following effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Revision level
           Page No.             shown on page      Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 6.........................  1..............  May 26, 2003.
2-5, 7-13....................  Original.......  April 30, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 48365]]


    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directives 001-04-2003 (for Model SD3-30 series 
airplanes), 002-04-2003 (for Model SD3-60 series airplanes), 004-04-
2003 (for Model SD3 SHERPA series airplanes), and 003-04-2003 (for 
Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes).

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 14, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 27, 2004.
Kyle L. Olsen,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17759 Filed 8-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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