Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34801-34804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5288]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23173; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-190-AD; 
Amendment 39-14644; AD 2006-12-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Short Brothers Model SD3 airplanes. This AD requires installing 
additional fuel tank bonding jumpers, performing an in-place resistance 
check of the float switches, inspecting certain internal components of 
the fuel tanks, and performing related corrective actions if necessary. 
This AD also requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations 
section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, and to the 
airplane flight manual procedures for operation during icing conditions 
and fuel system failures. This AD results from fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, which could lead to fire or 
explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 21, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Short Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. 
Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland, for service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Short 
Brothers Model SD3 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on April 12, 2006 (71 FR 18686). That supplemental 
NPRM proposed to require installing additional fuel tank bonding 
jumpers, performing an in-place resistance check of the float switches, 
inspecting certain internal components of the fuel tanks, and 
performing related corrective actions if necessary. That supplemental 
NPRM also proposed to require revisions to the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, 
and to the airplane flight manual (AFM) procedures for operation during 
icing conditions and fuel system failures.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the supplemental 
NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Service Information

    We have revised the reference to the advance amendment bulletin 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. Rather than one bulletin, there 
are four bulletins, each applicable to a certain model airplane. The 
information in each

[[Page 34802]]

bulletin revises the applicable AFM for that model airplane.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change previously discussed. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 54 airplanes of U.S. registry. The average 
labor rate is estimated to be $80 per work hour.
    The required revisions to the AFM and airplane maintenance manual 
(AMM) will take about 1 work hour per airplane. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the required revisions for U.S. operators is 
$4,320, or $80 per airplane.
    The required resistance check, inspections, and jumper 
installations, will take about 40 work hours per airplane. Required 
parts will cost about $10 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of these required actions for U.S. operators is 
$173,340, or $3,210 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-12-18 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-14644. Docket No. FAA-
2005-23173; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-190-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 21, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Shorts Model SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-
SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25-1529.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent ignition sources 
inside the fuel tanks, which could lead to fire or explosion.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the AFMs as 
specified in Table 1 of this AD to include the information in the 
applicable Shorts advance amendment bulletins as specified in Table 
1 of this AD. The advance amendment bulletins address operation 
during icing conditions and fuel system failures. Thereafter, 
operate the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in 
the applicable advance amendment bulletin.


    Note 2: The requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD may be done 
by inserting a copy of the applicable advance amendment bulletin 
into the AFM. When the applicable advance amendment bulletin has 
been included in general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions 
may be inserted into the AFM and the advance amendment bulletin may 
be removed, provided the relevant information in the general 
revision is identical to that in the advance amendment bulletin.


                         Table 1.--AFM Revisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Shorts advance
         Airplane model           amendment bulletin        To AFM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD3-30..........................  1/2004, dated July  SBH.3.2, SBH.3.3,
                                   13, 2004.           SBH.3.6, SBH.3.7,
                                                       SBH.3.8, and
                                                       SB.3.9.
SD3-60..........................  1/2004, dated July  SB.4.3, SB.4.6,
                                   13, 2004.           and SB.4.8.
SD3-60 SHERPA...................  1/2004, dated July  SB.5.2.
                                   13, 2004.

[[Page 34803]]

 
SD3-SHERPA......................  1/2004, dated July  SB.6.2.
                                   13, 2004.
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Revision of Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) Section

    (g) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by 
incorporating airplane maintenance manual (AMM) sections 5-20-01 and 
5-20-02 as introduced by the Shorts temporary revisions (TR) 
specified in Table 2 of this AD into the AWL section of the AMMs for 
the airplane models specified in Table 2. Thereafter, except as 
provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative structural 
inspection intervals may be approved for the longitudinal skin 
joints in the fuselage pressure shell.


    Note 3: The requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD may be done 
by inserting a copy of the applicable TR into the applicable AMM. 
When the TR has been included in general revisions of the AMM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the AMM and the TR may be 
removed, provided the relevant information in the general revision 
is identical to that in the TR.


                                        Table 2.--AMM Temporary Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Airplane model                Temporary revision             Dated                    To AMM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD3-30...............................  TR330-AMM-13...........  June 21, 2004..........  SD3-30 AMM.
SD3-30...............................  TR330-AMM-14...........  June 21, 2004..........  SD3-30 AMM.
SD3-60...............................  TR360-AMM-33...........  July 27, 2004..........  SD3-60 AMM.
SD3-60...............................  TR360-AMM-34...........  July 27, 2004..........  SD3-60 AMM.
SD3-60 SHERPA........................  TRSD360S-AMM-14........  July 29, 2004..........  SD3-60 SHERPA AMM.
SD3-60 SHERPA........................  TRSD360S-AMM-15........  July 29, 2004..........  SD3-60 SHERPA AMM.
SD3-SHERPA...........................  TRSD3S-AMM-15..........  July 28, 2004..........  SD3 SHERPA AMM.
SD3-SHERPA...........................  TRSD3S-AMM-16..........  July 28, 2004..........  SD3 SHERPA AMM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resistance Check, Inspection, and Jumper Installation

    (h) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
the insulation resistance check, general visual inspections, and 
bonding jumper wire installations; in accordance with Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD330-28-37, SD360-28-23, SD360 SHERPA-28-3, or SD3 SHERPA-
28-2; all dated June 2004; as applicable. If any defect or damage is 
discovered during any inspection or check required by this AD, 
before further flight, repair the defect or damage using a method 
approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority 
(CAA) (or its delegated agent).


    Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (j) British airworthiness directive G-2004-0021 R1, dated 
September 15, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the applicable service information specified in 
Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 of this AD to perform the actions that 
are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (The 
document number of the advance amendment bulletins is listed only on 
page 1 of those documents.) The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Short 
Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. Box 241, Airport 
Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland, for a copy of this service 
information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

                         Table 3.--Shorts Temporary Revisions Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Temporary revision                         Dated                 To airplane  maintenance  manual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TR330-AMM-13.............................  June 21, 2004...............  SD3-30.
TR330-AMM-14.............................  June 21, 2004...............  SD3-30.
TR360-AMM-33.............................  July 27, 2004...............  SD3-60.
TR360-AMM-34.............................  July 27, 2004...............  SD3-60.
TRSD360S-AMM-14..........................  July 29, 2004...............  SD3-60 SHERPA.
TRSD360S-AMM-15..........................  July 29, 2004...............  SD3-60 SHERPA.
TRSD3S-AMM-15............................  July 28, 2004...............  SD3 SHERPA.
TRSD3S-AMM-16............................  July 28, 2004...............  SD3 SHERPA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 34804]]


 Table 4.--Shorts Advance Amendment Bulletins Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Advance amendment bulletin           To airplane flight manual
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/2004, dated July 13, 2004............  SBH.3.2, SBH.3.3, SBH.3.6,
                                          SBH.3.7, SBH.3.8, and SB.3.9.
1/2004, dated July 13, 2004............  SB.4.3, SB.4.6, and SB.4.8.
1/2004, dated July 13, 2004............  SB.5.2.
1/2004, dated July 13, 2004............  SB.6.2.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 5.--Shorts Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Service bulletin                          Dated
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD330-28-37..............................  June 2004.
SD360-28-23..............................  June 2004.
SD360 SHERPA-28-3........................  June 2004.
SD3 SHERPA-28-2..........................  June 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5288 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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