[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20682-20684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10768]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-9603; AD 96-09-27]
RIN: 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-30, SD3-60,
and SD3-SHERPA 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 SD3-30, SD3-60, and SD3-SHERPA
series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and
procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions, and to limit or
prohibit the use of various flight control devices. This amendment is
prompted by results of a review of the requirements for certification
of the airplane in icing conditions, new information on the icing
environment, and icing data provided currently to the flight crews. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the potential
hazards associated with operating the airplane in severe icing
conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations
associated with such conditions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 11, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Forde, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2146; fax (206) 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 SD3-30,
SD3-60, and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on January 25, 1996 (61 FR 2151). That action proposed
[[Page 20683]]
to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to specify
procedures that would prohibit flight in freezing rain or freezing
drizzle conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or
prohibit the use of various flight control devices, and provide the
flight crew with recognition cues for, and procedures for exiting from,
severe icing conditions.
Disposition of Comments
For the disposition of comments on this rulemaking action, see
Docket No. 95-NM-146-AD; Amendment 39-9604; AD 96-09-28, Airworthiness
Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR-42 and ATR-72 Series Airplanes,
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 138 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,280, or $60 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.
In addition, the FAA recognizes that this AD may impose operational
costs. However, those costs are incalculable because the frequency of
occurrence of the specified conditions and the associated additional
flight time are indeterminable. Nevertheless, because of the severity
of the unsafe condition addressed, the FAA has determined that
continued operational safety necessitates the imposition of these
costs.
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, 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-09-27 Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-9603. Docket 96-NM-22-
AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-30, SD3-60, and SD3-SHERPA series
airplanes, 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 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 minimize the potential hazards associated with operating the
airplane in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly
defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
AD.
Note 2: Operators must initiate action to notify and ensure that
flight crewmembers are apprised of this change.
(1) Revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by
incorporating the following into the Limitations Section of the AFM.
This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``WARNING
Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of
those for which the airplane is certificated. Flight in freezing
rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (supercooled
liquid water and ice crystals) may result in ice build-up on
protected surfaces exceeding the capability of the ice protection
system, or may result in ice forming aft of the protected surfaces.
This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may
seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the
airplane.
During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed
those for which the airplane is certificated shall be determined by
the following visual cues. If one or more of these visual cues
exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic
Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the
icing conditions.
--Unusually extensive ice accreted on the airframe in areas not
normally observed to collect ice.
--Accumulation of ice on the lower surface of the wing aft of the
protected area.
--Accumulation of ice on the propeller spinner farther aft than
normally observed.
Since the autopilot may mask tactile cues that indicate
adverse changes in handling characteristics, use of the autopilot is
prohibited when any of the visual cues specified above exist, or
when unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim warnings
are encountered while the airplane is in icing conditions.
All icing detection lights must be operative prior to
flight into icing conditions at night. [NOTE: This supersedes any
relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).]''
(2) Revise the FAA-approved AFM by incorporating the following
into the Procedures Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished by
inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``THE FOLLOWING WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO SEVERE IN-FLIGHT
ICING
Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius
ambient air temperature.
Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at
temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.
[[Page 20684]]
PROCEDURES FOR EXITING THE SEVERE ICING ENVIRONMENT
These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from
takeoff to landing. Monitor the ambient air temperature. While
severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees
Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around
freezing with visible moisture present. If the visual cues specified
in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing
conditions are observed, accomplish the following:
Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic
Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the
severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to
flight conditions more severe than those for which the airplane has
been certificated.
Avoid abrupt and excessive maneuvering that may
exacerbate control difficulties.
Do not engage the autopilot.
If the autopilot is engaged, hold the control wheel
firmly and disengage the autopilot.
If an unusual roll response or uncommanded roll control
movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack.
Do not extend flaps during extended operation in icing
conditions. Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced
wing angle-of- attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the
upper surface further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of
the protected area.
If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until
the airframe is clear of ice.
Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic
Control.''
(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 Operations Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 3: 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) This amendment becomes effective on June 11, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 24, 1996.
Ronald T. Wojnar,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10768 Filed 5-1-96; 3:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P