[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 210 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64601-64602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27629]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-202-AD; Amendment 39-11951; AD 2000-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 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 amendment requires accomplishment of the inspection and 
replacement in accordance with revised procedures. 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 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: Effective December 4, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 4, 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) by superseding AD 99-03-06, 
amendment 39-11020 (64 FR 5588, February 4, 1999), which is applicable 
to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2000 (65 FR 40549). The 
action proposed 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.

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 approximately 28 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the 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 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 removing amendment 39-11020 (64 FR 
5588, February 4, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD),

[[Page 64602]]

amendment 39-11951, to read as follows:

2000-22-05  Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment 39-11951. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Shorts Service 
Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 2, dated March 21, 2000, which 
contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Revision level
           Page No.               shown on page      Date shown on page
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1, 3, 4, 7, 13, 27............  2................  Mar. 21, 2000.
2, 8, 10-12, 14-16, 23, 29....  1................  Oct. 14, 1998.
5, 6, 9, 17-22, 24-26, 28.....  Original.........  July 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 4, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 23, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-27629 Filed 10-27-00; 8:45 am]
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