[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 127 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40549-40551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16646]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-202-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Short Brothers Model 
SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, that currently 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 action would require accomplishment of the 
inspection and replacement in accordance with revised procedures. 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 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: Comments must be received by July 31, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-202-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. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the 
following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via the 
Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-202-AD'' in the subject line 
and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet 
as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Short Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. 
Box 241,

[[Page 40550]]

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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-202-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-202-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On January 28, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-03-06, amendment 39-11020 
(64 FR 5588, February 4, 1999), applicable to all Short Brothers Model 
SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, 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. That action was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The requirements of that 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.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has determined that 
certain pulleys were inadvertently omitted from the service bulletin 
referenced for accomplishing the required inspection and replacement of 
the pulleys. Accordingly, the manufacturer has issued a revision to the 
service bulletin to provide corrected procedures for accomplishment of 
the inspection and replacement.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-
76-1, Revision 2, dated March 21, 2000. This service bulletin contains 
procedures similar to those in the original issue of the service 
bulletin, dated July, 1998, and Revision 1, dated October 14, 1998, 
which were referenced as the appropriate sources of service information 
in AD 99-03-06. However, Revision 2 adds procedures for inspecting and 
replacing two additional pulleys, clarifies certain other procedures 
for accomplishment of the actions, and clarifies the recommended 
compliance time. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

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 section 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 supersede AD 99-03-06 to 
require a one-time 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. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the revised service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that approximately 28 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, 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 
$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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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

[[Page 40551]]

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 removing amendment 39-11020 (64 FR 
5588, February 4, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Short Brothers, Plc: Docket 2000-NM-202-AD. Supersedes AD 99-03-06, 
Amendment 39-11020.

    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:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) At the next scheduled heavy maintenance inspection, but no 
later than 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a one-time 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, Revision 
2, dated March 21, 2000.
    (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.

Spares

    (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.

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 Manager, 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16646 Filed 6-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U