[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3798-3799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1502]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-223-AD; Amendment 39-11520; AD 2000-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA, 
SD3-SHERPA, and SD3-30 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 and SD3-SHERPA 
series airplanes, and certain Model SD3-30 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of existing oxygen system ``O'' rings with 
improved wear-resistant ``O'' rings. 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 the loss of oxygen from the aircraft oxygen system, 
which could result in an insufficient supply of oxygen being provided 
to the airplane flight crew and passengers in the event of an 
emergency.

DATES:  Effective February 29, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 29, 2000.

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, SD3-SHERPA, and SD3-30 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on October 6, 1999 (64 FR 54237). That action proposed 
to require replacement of existing oxygen system ``O'' rings with 
improved wear-resistant ``O'' rings.

Comment Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to include only those Model SD3-30 series airplanes on which an 
oxygen system is installed. The commenter states that only one variant 
of these airplanes was delivered in this configuration, and provides a 
list of the applicable serial numbers. The commenter notes that these 
serial numbers are also listed in Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-35-1, 
dated February 25, 1999, which is referenced as the appropriate source 
of service information in the proposed AD.
    The FAA concurs that the requirements of the AD are applicable only 
to those airplanes on which an oxygen system is installed. The FAA has 
limited the applicability for Model SD3-30 series airplanes to those 
listed in Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-35-1, dated February 25, 1999, 
and has revised the Summary section of the AD to refer to ``certain,'' 
rather than ``all,'' Model SD3-30 series airplanes.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
previously. 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 62 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 50 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $186,000, or 
$3,000 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-02-02  Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-11520. Docket 99-NM-
223-AD.


[[Page 3799]]


    Applicability: All Model SD3-60 SHERPA and SD3-SHERPA series 
airplanes; and Model SD3-30 series airplanes as listed in Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD330-35-1, dated February 25, 1999; 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 the loss of oxygen from the aircraft oxygen system, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace oxygen system ``O'' rings, part number (P/N) MS28778, with 
improved wear-resistant ``O'' rings, P/N MS9068, in accordance with 
Shorts Service Bulletins SD360 Sherpa-35-2, dated February 25, 1999 
(for Model SD3-60 Sherpa series airplanes); SD3 Sherpa-35-3, 
Revision 1, dated May 5, 1999 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series 
airplanes); and SD330-35-1, dated February 25, 1999 (for Model SD3-
30 series airplanes); as applicable.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an oxygen system ``O'' ring, P/N MS28778, on any airplane.

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3-60 Sherpa-35-2, dated February 25, 1999; Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3 Sherpa-35-3, Revision 1, dated May 5, 1999; or Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD330-35-1, dated February 25, 1999; as applicable. 
Shorts Service Bulletin SD3 Sherpa-35-3, Revision 1, dated May 5, 
1999, contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Revision level
          Page No.             shown on page       Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 4, 9, 10.................  1..............  May 5, 1999.
2, 3, 5-8, 11-14............  Original.......  February 25, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 007-02-99 (for Model SD3-60 Sherpa series 
airplanes), 006-02-99 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes), and 
008-02-99 (for Model SD3-30 series airplanes).

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 29, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 14, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1502 Filed 1-24-00; 8:45 am]
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