Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47370-47371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22386]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-349-AD; Amendment 39-11275; AD 99-18-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30 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 SD3-30 series airplanes, 
that requires modification of electrical wiring associated with heater 
components. 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 autofeather system, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane in the event of engine failure during 
takeoff.

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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-
30 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 
1999 (64 FR 34577). That action proposed to require modification of 
electrical wiring associated with heater components.

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 27 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be minimal. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $9,720, or $360 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:

99-18-09 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11275. Docket 98-NM-349-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SD3-30 series airplanes that have been 
modified in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-30, 
dated June 1988; certificated in any category.

    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 prevent failure of the autofeather system, which could result 
in reduced controllability of the airplane in the event of engine 
failure during takeoff, accomplish the following:

Required Modification

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
electrical wiring associated with component heaters in accordance 
with Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998.

    Note 2: Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998, 
references Shorts

[[Page 47371]]

Service Bulletin SD330-30-30, Revision 1, dated September 1997, as 
an additional source of service information for modifying the 
electrical wiring and removing equipment associated with component 
heaters. Operators should note that Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-
30-30, Revision 1, dated September 1997, requires that Pratt & 
Whitney Service Bulletin No. 3222, Revision No. 2, be incorporated 
prior to or in conjunction with the service bulletin.

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, 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

    (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 modification shall be done in accordance with Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD330-30-33, dated June 1998. 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 directive 003-06-98.

    (e) 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. 99-22386 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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