[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 98 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31839-31841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model 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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-
60 series airplanes. This proposal would require affixing a label 
containing revised engine limitations on the ditching hatch, and 
revising the airplane flight manual to reflect the revised engine 
limitations. 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 the use of incorrect engine limitations, which could result in 
an overspeed of the propellers and potential for blade failure.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-12-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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

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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 2000-NM-12-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. 2000-NM-12-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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-60 series 
airplanes. The CAA advises that the manufacturer has revised the engine 
limitations to reflect amended propeller speed tolerance. The display 
of old, incorrect engine limitations could result in an overspeed of 
the propellers and potential for blade failure.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-11-23, 
dated November 17, 1998, which describes procedures for affixing a 
label containing revised engine limitations on the ditching hatch. The 
new label will ensure that the flight crew observes the new engine 
limitations and amended propeller speed tolerance. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued British airworthiness 
directive 015-11-98 in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    Service Bulletin SD360-11-23 refers to certain revisions to the 
Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), which also contain the revised engine 
limitations and propeller speed tolerances. These AFM revisions include 
Doc. No. SB 4.8, amendment P9; Doc. No. SB 4.9, amendment P12; and Doc. 
No. SB 4.10, amendment P7.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
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 bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 15 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 actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $900, 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 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-12-AD.

    Applicability: Model SD3-60 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers SH3716 through SH3763 inclusive.

    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 the display of incorrect engine limitations, which 
could result in an overspeed of the propellers and potential for 
blade failure, accomplish the following:

Label Replacement and AFM Revision

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the existing engine-limitations label with a new label containing 
revised engine limitations, and revise the

[[Page 31841]]

Limitations section of the FAA-approved airplane flight manual to 
reflect the revised engine limitations; in accordance with Shorts 
Service Bulletin SD360-11-23, dated November 17, 1998.

Alternative Methods 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 
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 
directive 015-11-98.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 15, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12673 Filed 5-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U