[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34575-34577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16336]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-369-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60
SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-
SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60
[[Page 34576]]
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time visual
inspection of the emergency brake accumulator mounting structure for
evidence of cracking; and corrective action, if necessary. This
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the
mounting angle that supports the emergency brake system due to
cracking, which could result in loss of the emergency brake system.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 28, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-369-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-369-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-369-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60
SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 series airplanes. The CAA advises that
cracking was detected on the emergency brake accumulator mounting
structure. The exact cause of the cracking has not been determined at
this time. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of
the mounting angle that supports the emergency brake system, and
consequent loss of the emergency brake system.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Short Brothers Service Bulletins SD3 SHERPA-
29-2 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes), SD360 SHERPA-29-1 (for
Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes), SD330-29-19 (for Model SD3-30
series airplanes), and SD360-29-06 (for Model SD3-60 series airplanes);
all dated October 22, 1998. These service bulletins describe procedures
for inspecting the emergency brake accumulator mounting angle for
cracks; replacing the mounting angle with a new or serviceable mounting
angle, if necessary; and reporting the results of the inspection
findings to Short Brothers.
The CAA has classified these service bulletins as mandatory and
issued British airworthiness directives 009-10-98 (for Model SD3-SHERPA
series airplanes), 011-10-98 (for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series
airplanes), 008-10-98 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes), and 010-10-
98 (for Model SD3-60 series airplanes) in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and
are type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 56 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$3,360, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient
[[Page 34577]]
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Short Brothers PLC: Docket 98-NM-369-AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and
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 (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 failure of the mounting angle that supports the
emergency brake system due to cracking, which could result in loss
of the emergency brake system, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a visual inspection of the emergency brake accumulator mounting
angle for evidence of cracking in accordance with Shorts Service
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-29-2 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes);
SD360 SHERPA-29-1 (for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes); SD330-
29-19 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes); or SD360-29-06 (for Model
SD3-60 series airplanes); all dated October 22, 1998; as applicable.
If any cracking is found, prior to further flight, remove and
replace the mounting angle with a new or serviceable part in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Reporting
(b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection
results (both positive and negative findings) to Short Brothers PLC,
Mel Smith, Team Leader Customer Support, facsimile number: 44-1232-
733024. 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.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directives 009-10-98 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series
airplanes), 011-10-98 (for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes),
008-10-98 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes), and 010-10-98 (for
Model SD3-60 series airplanes).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16336 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U