[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5588-5589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2496]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-289-AD; Amendment 39-11020; AD 99-03-06]
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 a one-time visual inspection to determine the part number 
of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine 
controls; and replacement of the power control cable assemblies and 
pulleys (as applicable) with new parts, 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 breakage of the power control cable 
assemblies due to the inflexible construction of the cable, which could 
result in loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 11, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 11, 1999.

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 
November 30, 1998 (63 FR 65718). That action proposed to require a one-
time visual inspection to determine the part number of the power 
control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls; and 
replacement of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys (as 
applicable) with new parts, 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.

Additional Service Information

    Since the issuance of the proposal, Short Brothers has issued 
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 1, dated October 14, 
1998. The FAA has determined that the technical procedures described in 
that revision are equivalent to the technical procedures described in 
SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated July 1998 (which was cited in the proposal as 
the appropriate source of service

[[Page 5589]]

information for accomplishment of the actions). The only change 
effected by Revision 1 is to clarify certain procedures. The final rule 
has been revised to require accomplishment of the actions in accordance 
with either the original issue or Revision 1 of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. 
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $25,200, or $900 
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:

99-03-06  Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-11020. Docket 98-NM-289-
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 (c) 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 breakage of the power control cable assemblies due to 
the inflexible construction of the cable, which could result in loss 
of engine power and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to determine the part 
number (P/N) of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of 
the engine controls, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated 
July 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 14, 1998.
    (1) If any power control cable assembly having P/N SD3-47-1091 
or SD3-47-1094 is found, prior to further flight, replace the power 
control cable assembly with a new power control cable assembly in 
accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.
    (2) If any pulley having P/N C181605 is found, prior to further 
flight, replace the pulley with a new pulley in accordance with Part 
C of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on the engine controls of any airplane a cable assembly having P/N 
SD3-47-1091 or SD3-47-1094, or any pulley having P/N C181605.
    (c) 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, 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, 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 Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Shorts
    Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, dated July 1998, or with 
Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 1, dated 
October 14, 1998, which contains the following list of effective 
pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision Level
            Page No.                 shown on page    Date shown on page
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1-3, 7, 8, 10-16, 23, 29........  1.................  July 1998.
4-6, 9, 17-22, 24-28............  Original..........  Oct. 14, 1998.
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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 004-07-98.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 11, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 28, 1999.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-2496 Filed 2-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P