[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29545-29546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14026]
[[Page 29545]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-10547; AD 98-11-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 series airplanes, that
requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of certain diode
mounting assemblies on specified electrical panels; follow-on actions;
and repair or replacement with serviceable components, if necessary.
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 overheating
and possible failure of certain electrical diodes, which could result
in loss of electrical service to one or more airplane electrical
circuits.
DATES: Effective July 6, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 6, 1998.
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 all Short Brothers Model SD3-60
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 1998
(63 FR 15798). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to
detect discrepancies of certain diode mounting assemblies on specified
electrical panels; follow-on actions; and repair or replacement with
serviceable components, if necessary.
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 88 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 work hours 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 $73,920, or $840 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:
98-11-22 Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-10547. Docket 98-NM-32-
AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-60 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 prevent overheating and possible failure of certain
electrical diodes, which could result in loss of electrical service
to one or more airplane electrical circuits, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies of certain
diode mounting assemblies on electrical panels 1C, 2C, 12P, 27C, and
51C, in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-39-04,
Revision 1, dated January 12, 1998.
(1) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, perform
the follow-on actions specified in the service bulletin in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, repair
or replace the discrepant diode mounting assembly component with a
serviceable component in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
[[Page 29546]]
(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.
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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts Service
Bulletin SD360-39-04, Revision 1, dated January 12, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 008-09-97.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 6, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14026 Filed 5-29-98; 8:45 am]
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