[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51281-51282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25475]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-138-AD; Amendment 39-10799; AD 98-20-32]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 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 SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, 
that requires an initial cleaning and visual inspection of the distance 
piece and adjacent side plates of the fuselage wing strut pick-up of 
the left- and right-stub wings to detect corrosion; rework or 
replacement of damaged components; and, for certain conditions, follow-
on repetitive cleaning and visual inspections of reworked 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 detect and correct 
corrosion 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 consequent reduced structural integrity of 
the main wing.

DATES: Effective October 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 30, 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 
SHERPA series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
7, 1998 (63 FR 42288). That action proposed to require an initial 
cleaning and visual inspection of the distance piece and adjacent side 
plates of the fuselage wing strut pick-up of the left-and right-stub 
wings to detect corrosion; rework or replacement of damaged components; 
and, for certain conditions, follow-on repetitive cleaning and visual 
inspections of reworked 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 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $8,400, or $300 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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

[[Page 51282]]

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:

98-20-32  Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-10799. Docket 98-NM-138-
AD.

    Applicability: All Model SD3-60 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 (e) 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 detect and correct corrosion of the distance piece and 
adjacent side plates of the fuselage wing strut pick-up of the left- 
and right-stub wings, which could result in reduced strength of the 
wing strut attachment to the stub wing on the fuselage, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the main wing, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, clean 
the pockets in the horizontal and vertical legs of the distance 
piece and adjacent faces of the side plates at the wing strut pick-
up area on the stub wing, and perform a visual inspection to detect 
corrosion; in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-
53-2, dated November 4, 1997.
    (b) If no corrosion is detected during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, apply 
additional corrosion protection treatment in accordance with Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-2, dated November 4, 1997.
    (c) If any corrosion is detected, prior to further flight, after 
cleaning and removing the corrosion from the distance piece and side 
plates in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-
2, dated November 4, 1997, accomplish paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (1) If the depth of corrosion is within the limits specified in 
the service bulletin, apply additional corrosion protection 
treatment in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If the depth of corrosion is outside the limits specified in 
the service bulletin, accomplish either paragraph (c)(2)(i) or 
(c)(2)(ii) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the detailed visual 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to 
exceed 600 hours time-in-service or 90 days, whichever occurs first.
    (i) Rework the damaged components in accordance with a method 
approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority of 
the United Kingdom (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, repeat the 
detailed visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at 
intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service or 90 days, 
whichever occurs first.
    (ii) Replace the damaged components with new components in 
accordance with Shorts SD3-60 Sherpa Maintenance Programme Manual, 
Section 5-26-57, page 9, dated July 17, 1995.
    (d) Within 10 days after accomplishing the initial cleaning and 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of 
the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) 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.
    (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, 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.

    (f) 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.
    (g) Except as provided by paragraphs (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), and 
(d) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-2, dated November 4, 1997. 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 004-11-97.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25475 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P