[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 232 (Monday, December 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29166]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-96-AD; Amendment 39-9078; AD 94-24-05]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 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 SD3-60 series airplanes, 
that requires installation of a certain time delay relay and associated 
wiring into a circuit of the rudder gust lock. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of inadvertent engagements of the rudder gust lock 
on in-service Model SD3-60 series airplanes. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent premature locking of the rudder gust 
lock, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane in 
flight and during landing roll.

DATES: Effective January 4, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 4, 1995.

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: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.

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-
60 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 17, 
1994 (59 FR 42186). That action proposed to require installation of a 
10-second time delay relay, having part number TDD-AYOF-1002, and 
associated wiring into a circuit of the rudder gust lock.
    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.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. Under 
these circumstances, at least one operator appears to have incorrectly 
assumed that its airplane was not subject to an AD. On the contrary, 
all airplanes identified in the applicability provision of an AD are 
legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered or repaired 
in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance with the AD, 
the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval for an 
alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with the 
paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has been 
added to this final rule to clarify this requirement. The FAA has 
determined that this addition will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 88 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 29 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$153,120, or $1,740 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 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. 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-24-05  Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-9078. Docket 94-NM-96-
AD.

    Applicability: Model SD3-60 airplanes on which Modification 8112 
(reference Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-27-16) has been installed, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane in flight and 
during landing roll, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install 
a 10-second time delay relay, having part number TDD-AYOF-1002, and 
associated wiring into a circuit of the rudder gust lock, in 
accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-27-23, Revision 1, 
dated April 15, 1994.
    (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, 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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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.
    (d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD360-27-23, Revision 1, dated April 15, 1994. 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, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 4, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29166 Filed 12-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U