[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4649-4650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1820]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2002 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 4649]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-229-AD; Amendment 39-12616; AD 2002-01-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time inspection of the installation of the bearing 
housings of the elevator torque shaft assembly, and corrective action 
if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the 
elevator torque shaft, which could result in reduced controllability of 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective March 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 7, 2002.

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: 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: 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 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 4, 
2001 (66 FR 50584). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of the installation of the bearing housings of the elevator 
torque shaft assembly, and corrective action 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 75 Model SD3 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $9,000, or $120 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-01-22  Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-12616. Docket 2001-NM-
229-AD.

    Applicability: All Model SD3 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

[[Page 4650]]

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 failure of the elevator torque shaft, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a detailed visual inspection of the bearing housings of the elevator 
torque shaft assembly to detect discrepancies (including movement of 
the housings relative to the mounting structure), in accordance with 
the applicable service bulletin listed in the following table:

                                           Table 1.--Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Inspect in accordance with Short Brothers
            For model--                          Service  Bulletin--                          Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) SD3-60 Sherpa series airplanes.  SD3-60 SHERPA-27-6                           May 22, 2001
(2) SD3-Sherpa series airplanes....  SD3 SHERPA-27-5                              May 22, 2001
(3) SD3-60 series airplanes........  SD360-27-31                                  May 22, 2001
(4) SD3-30 series airplanes........  SD330-27-39                                  May 22, 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight, replace any 
affected part with a new part, in accordance with the applicable 
service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD.

    Note 3: The service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD 
recommend that operators submit a report of their inspection 
findings to the manufacturer. Although operators may submit such a 
report, this AD does not require it.

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, 
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 4: 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 Short Brothers 
Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-27-6, dated May 22, 2001; Short 
Brothers Service Bulletin SD3-SHERPA-27-5, dated May 22, 2001; Short 
Brothers Service Bulletin SD360-27-31, dated May 22, 2001; or Short 
Brothers Service Bulletin SD330-27-39, dated May 22, 2001; as 
applicable. 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directives 003-05-2001, 008-05-2001, 009-05-2001, and 
007-05-2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 7, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2002.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1820 Filed 1-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P