[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5556]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 14, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-8850; AD 94-06-02]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers PLC Model SD3-30, SD3-
60, and SD3-SHERPA Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Short Brothers PLC Model SD3-30, SD3-60, 
and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, that currently requires an inspection 
to detect corrosion on the distance piece associated with the wing 
strut pick up on the stub wing, and repair of corroded parts. This 
amendment requires repetitive inspections to detect corrosion of 
repaired or reworked distance pieces and adjacent side plates; and 
provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of corrosion on the distance pieces 
and adjacent side plates of the wing strut pick up. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the distance 
piece and adjacent side plates, which could result in reduced strength 
of the wing strut attachment to the stub wing on the fuselage and, 
subsequently, reduced structural strength of the main wing.

DATES: Effective May 16, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-
SHERPA-53-1, Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-
53-38, Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-53-65, 
Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-53-2, 
dated July 1993; Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-53-39, dated June 11, 
1993; and Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-53-66, dated July 1993; as 
listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of May 16, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain other publications listed 
in the regulations was approved by the Director of the Federal Register 
as of May 27, 1993 (58 FR 27928, May 12, 1993).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Short Brothers PLC, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 713, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202-3719. 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: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 93-09-08, Amendment 39-8574 (58 
FR 27928, May 12, 1993), which is applicable to certain Short Brothers 
PLC Model SD3-30, SD3-60, and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on November 5, 1993 (58 FR 58992). 
The action proposed to supersede AD 93-09-08 to continue to require a 
one-time inspection to detect corrosion on the distance piece 
associated with the wing strut pick up on the stub wing, and repair or 
rework of corroded parts. The AD also proposed to require repetitive 
inspections to detect corrosion of repaired or reworked original 
equipment type distance pieces (with pockets) and adjacent side plates.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 106 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. The currently required one-time inspection action 
requires approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
actions, at an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of that action on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $29,150, or $275 per airplane.
    For operators who replace or repair a distance piece, this AD will 
require that repetitive inspections of that distance piece be 
performed. Such inspections will require approximately 5 work hours to 
accomplish, at an average labor charge of $55 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the repetitive inspections that 
will be required of these operators will be $275 per airplane per 
inspection cycle.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating 
action that will be provided by this AD action, the number of hours 
required to accomplish it will be approximately 80 per airplane, at an 
average labor charge of $55 per work hour. The cost of required parts 
will be approximately $2,600 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the optional terminating action on U.S. operators 
will be $7,000 per airplane.
    The total 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 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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8574 (58 FR 
27928, May 12, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-8850, to read as follows:

94-06-02 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-8850. Docket 93-NM-141-AD. 
Supersedes AD 93-09-08, Amendment 39-8574.
    Applicability: Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, serial numbers 
SH3201 through SH3216 inclusive; all Model SD3-60 series airplanes; 
and all Model SD3-30 series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the distance piece and adjacent side 
plates, which could result in reduced strength of the wing strut 
attachment to the stub wing on the fuselage and, subsequently, 
reduced structural strength of the main wing, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 30 days after May 27, 1993 (the effective date of AD 
93-09-08, Amendment 39-8574), perform a detailed visual inspection 
to detect corrosion in the pockets on the horizontal leg of the 
distance piece associated with the wing strut pick up on the left- 
and right-stub wings, in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-53-1, dated March 29, 1993, or Revision 1, dated May 1993 
(for Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes); Shorts Service Bulletin 
SD360-53-38, dated March 25, 1993, or Revision 1, dated May 1993 
(for Model SD3-60 series airplanes); or Shorts Service Bulletin 
SD330-53-65, dated March 29, 1993, or Revision 1, dated May 1993 
(for Model SD3-30 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (1) If any corrosion is detected that is within the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, repair or rework the corroded components in accordance with 
the applicable service bulletin.
    (2) If any corrosion is detected that is outside the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, accomplish either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this 
AD:
    (i) Replace any corroded distance piece with a new, improved 
distance piece (without pockets), and repair or replace the adjacent 
side plates, as necessary, in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin. Or
    (ii) Repair or rework the corroded components in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
    (3) If no corrosion is detected, accomplish the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the initial inspection 
required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, submit a report of all 
inspection findings, including nil defects, to Short Brothers PLC. 
Information collection requirements contained in this regulation 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
    (c) For those airplanes on which the distance piece has been 
reworked or repaired in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD or within the next 600 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 90 days or 600 hours time-in-service, 
whichever occurs earlier, repeat the inspection of the distance 
piece and adjacent side plates in accordance with the requirements 
of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (d) Replacement of the existing distance piece and/or adjacent 
side plates with new distance pieces (without pockets) and/or 
adjacent side plates in accordance with Short Brothers Service 
Bulletins SD3 SHERPA-53-2, dated July 1993 (for Model SD3-SHERPA 
series airplanes); SD360-53-39, dated June 11, 1993 (for Model SD3-
60 series airplanes); or SD330-53-66, dated July 1993 (for Model 
SD3-30 series airplanes); as applicable; constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirement of paragraph (c) of 
this AD.
    (e) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, Standardizaton 
Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (f) Special flight permits 1may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-53-1, Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD360-53-38, Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD330-53-65, Revision 1, dated May 1993; Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-53-2, dated July 1993; Shorts Service Bulletin 
SD360-53-39, dated June 11, 1993, or Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-
53-66, dated July 1993, as applicable. The following Shorts service 
bulletins contain the specified effective pages: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Service bulletin                    Revision level    Date shown on 
  referenced and date       Page No.     shown on page        page      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD3 SHERPA-53-1,         1, 3-7         1.............  May 1993.       
 Revision 1, May 1993.   2              Original......  March 1993.     
SD360-53-38, Revision    1, 3-7         1.............  May 1993.       
 1, May 1993.            2              Original......  March 1993.     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This incorporation by reference is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Certain other actions shall be done in accordance with 
Shorts Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-53-1, dated March 29, 1993; 
Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-53-38, dated March 25, 1993; and 
Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-53-65, dated March 29, 1993. The 
incorporation by reference of these documents was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51 as of May 27, 1993 (58 FR 
27928, May 12, 1993). Copies may be obtained from Short Brothers 
PLC, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 713, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3719. 
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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 16, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 4, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5556 Filed 4-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U