[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58680-58682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-143-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 
SHERPA, and SD3-SHERPA 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 all Short Brothers Model SD3-60, 
SD3-60 SHERPA, and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes. This proposal would 
require a one-time inspection of the two power cables to the heated 
windshield to detect inadequate clearance, chafing, and inadequate 
support. This proposal would also require corrective action, if 
necessary, including increasing the clearance, providing additional 
support, re-routing, and replacing power cables, as applicable. This 
action is necessary to prevent discrepancies of the two power cables to 
the heated windshield from causing an electrical short circuit with 
possible smoke and fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket Number 2001-NM-143-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket Number 2001-NM-143-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, 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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-143-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 Number 2001-NM-143-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 all Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 SHERPA, 
and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes. The CAA advises that operators have 
reported finding discrepancies of the power cables to the heated 
windshields. This condition, if not corrected, could cause an 
electrical short circuit with possible smoke and fire in the cockpit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Short Brothers Service Bulletins SD3 
SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-30-2 
(for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); and SD360-30-26 (for Model 
SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001. Each service bulletin 
describes procedures for a general visual

[[Page 58681]]

inspection of the power cables to the heated windshield for inadequate 
clearance, chafing, and inadequate support. Each service bulletin also 
describe procedures for corrective action, if necessary, including 
increasing the clearance or providing additional support for the power 
cables, re-routing a lightly-chafed power cable, and replacing a more 
heavily chafed power cable with a new power cable, as applicable. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued British 
airworthiness directive 001-004-2001 to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and 
are 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 designs registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 78 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 inspection of the power 
cables to the heated windshield, 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 $4,680, 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 proposed 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 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 2001-NM-143-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 
SHERPA, and SD3-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 (e) 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 discrepancies of the two power cables to the heated 
windshield from causing an electrical short circuit with possible 
smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action, If Necessary

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a general visual inspection of the power cables to the heated 
windshield to detect inadequate clearance, chafing, and inadequate 
support, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-
30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for 
Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as 
applicable. If the general visual inspection finds no evidence of 
chafing and finds that clearance and support of the power cables are 
adequate: No further action is needed.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (b) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD finds no evidence of chafing, but finds that clearance or 
support of the power cables are not adequate: Prior to further 
flight, increase the clearance or provide additional support of the 
power cables, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-
30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for 
Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as 
applicable.
    (c) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD finds evidence of chafing, but there is no damage to the 
outer nylon protective coating with exposure of the glass fiber 
braid: Prior to further flight, re-

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route the power cables, in accordance with Short Brothers Service 
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); 
SD360 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or 
SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 
2001, as applicable.
    (d) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD finds evidence of chafing, and there is damage to the 
outer protective covering with exposure of the glass fiber braid: 
Prior to further flight, replace the damaged power cable with new 
cable, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-
30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for 
Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as 
applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 3: 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

    (f) 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 001-04-2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 15, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29195 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P