[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47660-47661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22533]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-12-AD; Amendment 39-11277; AD 99-18-11]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-
30, and SD3-60 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the 
existing bolts that secure the elevator control torque tube bearing 
housing retaining plate with hex head bolts. 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 reduced movement of the elevator controls and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, as a result of 
bolts coming loose on the elevator control torque tube bearing housing 
retaining plate.

DATES: Effective October 6, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 6, 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-
SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on June 28, 1999 (64 FR 34581). That 
action proposed to require replacement of the existing bolts that 
secure the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate 
with hex head bolts.

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 46 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will come from the 
operator's existing supply. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,040, or $240 
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

[[Page 47661]]

``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:

99-18-11  Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11277. Docket 99-NM-12-
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 (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 reduced movement of the elevator controls and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, as a result of 
bolts coming loose on the elevator control torque tube bearing 
housing retaining plate, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the existing bolts of the elevator control torque tube bearing 
housing retaining plate with hex head bolts torqued to a value of 35 
lb-ins, in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletins SD3 Sherpa-27-3, 
Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-SHERPA series 
airplanes); SD3-60 Sherpa-27-3, Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998 
(for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes); SD330-27-37, Revision 1, 
dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes); or 
SD360-27-28, Revision 1, dated November 23, 1998 (for Model SD3-60 
series airplanes); as applicable.

Alternative Method of Compliance

    (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, 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with the 
following Shorts Service Bulletins, which contain the specified 
effective pages:

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                                                        Revision level shown on
  Service bulletin referenced and date   Page/Number             page                   Date shown on page
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SD3 SHERPA-27-3, Revision 1, November              1  1.........................  Nov. 23, 1998
 23, 1998.                                       2-5  Original..................  Nov. 16, 1998.
SD3 SHERPA-27-3, Revision 1, November              1  1.........................  Nov. 23, 1998
 23, 1998.                                       2-5  Original..................  Nov. 16, 1998.
SD330-27-37, Revision 1, November 23,              1  1.........................  Nov. 23, 1998
 1998.                                           2-5  Original..................  Nov. 16, 1998.
SD360-27-28, Revision 1, November 23,              1  1.........................  Nov. 23, 1998
 1998.                                           2-5  Original..................  Nov. 16, 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 directives 009-11-98, 010-11-98, 013-11-98, and 017-
11-98.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 6, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22533 Filed 8-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U