[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68779-68781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28751]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 13, 2002 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 68779]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket 2000-CE-17-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. Models 
SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. (Shorts) 
Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would establish a technical service life for these airplanes and allow 
you to incorporate modifications, inspections, and replacements of 
certain life limited items to extend the life limits of these 
airplanes. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent fatigue failure of critical structure of the 
aircraft. Such failure could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the aircraft with consequent failure of the primary structural 
components and possibly result in structural failure during flight.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before December 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-17-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2000-CE-17-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ 
Northern Ireland; telephone: +44 (0) 28 9045 8444; facsimile: +44 (0) 
28 9073 3396. You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at 
the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-17-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Shorts Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 
3 airplanes. The CAA reports that the Model SC-7 airframe has undergone 
structural evaluations that have resulted in the establishment of an 
airplane service life limit.
    Modifications, inspections, and replacements of certain life 
limited items have been identified to further extend the life of the 
aircraft.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    The life limits, if not complied with, could result in failure of 
the primary structural components and possibly result in structural 
failure during flight.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Shorts has issued the following service information:

--Shorts Service Bulletin No. 51-51, Original Issue: June 6, 1978 
(latest version at Revision No.: 6, dated: March 14, 1983);
--Shorts Service Bulletin No. 51-52, Original Issue: September 1, 1981 
(latest version at Revision No.: 4, dated: July 16, 2002); and
--Shorts Skyvan Maintenance Program 1, not dated.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    Service information specifies procedures to be followed to allow 
life limits to be extended. They include:

--Reinforcing the webs of the stub wing front spar box;
--Replacing the side load fittings and doubler joint plates at the nose 
undercarriage lower attachment;
--Changing the shear angle attachments of the lift strut fitting to 
wing rib 212;

[[Page 68780]]

--Replacing the inner flap and outer flap components;
--Carrying out the life extension programs for the landing gear nose 
undercarriage and landing gear main undercarriage; and
--Carrying out the Skyvan Maintenance Program life extension inspection 
program.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
British AD Number 019-09-81, not dated, in order to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    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 FAA 
informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of this 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Shorts Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 of the 
same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletins.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 22 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    The impact of this proposed AD would be not being able to operate 
the airplane past the established service life limit. The following 
paragraphs present cost if you choose to extend the life limit.
    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed aircraft 
life extension prescribed in Shorts Service Bulletin No. 51-51 on 19 
aircraft:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
          Labor cost             Parts cost    Total cost      on U.S.
                                              per airplane    operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
350 workhours x $60 per hour =      $90,000      $111,000    $2,109,000
 $21,000......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following to accomplish the proposed aircraft life 
extension prescribed in Shorts Service Bulletin No. 51-52 for the 6 
aircraft serial numbers 1845, 1847, 1883, 1889, 1943, and 1960:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
          Labor cost             Parts cost    Total cost      on U.S.
                                              per airplane    operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
120 workhours x $60 per hour =      $22,000       $29,200      $175,200
 $7,200.......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Three of these 6 airplanes will also incorporate Shorts Service 
Bulletin No. 51-51 and are part of the 19 airplanes subset of the total 
set of 22 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is upon accumulating the 
applicable life limit or within the next 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    Why Is the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD Presented in 
Flights, Hours TIS and Calendar Time?
    The unsafe condition on these airplanes is a result of the 
combination of the number of times the airplane is operated and how the 
airplane is operated (for example, weight carried). Airplane operation 
varies among operators. For example, one operator may operate the 
airplane 100 flights or 50 hours TIS in 3 months and carrying low 
weights while it may take another operator 12 months or more to 
accumulate 100 flights or 50 hours TIS while carrying heavy weights. 
For this reason, we have determined that the compliance time of this 
proposed AD should be specified in flights, hours time-in-service 
(TIS), and calendar time in order to assure this condition is not 
allowed to go uncorrected over time.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    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 proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) 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 has been placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at 
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

[[Page 68781]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Short Brothers and Harland Ltd.: Docket No. 2000-CE-17-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of critical 
structure of the aircraft. Such failure could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the aircraft with consequent failure of the 
primary structural components and possibly result in structural 
failure during flight.
    (d) What must I do to comply with this AD? Do not operate the 
airplane upon accumulating the applicable life limit or within the 
next 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later. The following table presents the life limits:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Serial No.                                               Life limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) SH1845 and SH1883.........................  10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS).
-----------------------------------------------
(2) SH1847....................................  15,200 hours TIS.
-----------------------------------------------
(3) SH1889....................................  13,805 flights.
-----------------------------------------------
(4) SH1943....................................  11,306 flights.
-----------------------------------------------
(5) SH1960....................................  4,142 flights.
-----------------------------------------------
(6) All airplanes that do not encompass either  20,000 flights.
 serial number SH1845, SH1883, SH1847, SH1889,
 SH1943, or SH1960.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For owners/operators that do not have a record of the 
number of flights on the aircraft, assume the number of flights on 
the basis of two per operating hour.

    (e) What must I do to extend the life limits for airplanes 
encompassing either serial number SH1845, SH1847, SH1883, SH1889, 
SH1943, or SH1960? To extend the life limit on one of these 
airplanes, you must accomplish the actions of Shorts Service 
Bulletin No. 51-52, Original Issue: September 1, 1981 (latest 
version at Revision No.: 4, dated: July 16, 2002), and Shorts Skyvan 
Maintenance Program 1, not dated. The following table presents the 
extended life limit:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Serial No.                      Extended life limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) SH1845.............................  13,456 hours.
----------------------------------------
(2) SH1847.............................  20,200 hours.
----------------------------------------
(3) SH1883.............................  15,000 hours.
----------------------------------------
(4) SH1889.............................  20,094 flights.
----------------------------------------
(5) SH1943.............................  17,325 flights.
----------------------------------------
(6) SH1960.............................  8,449 flights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) What must I do to extend the life limit for my airplanes 
that do not encompass either serial number SH1845, SH1883, SH1847, 
SH1889, SH1943, or SH1960? You can extend the life limit to 27,000 
flights by accomplishing the actions of Shorts Service Bulletin No. 
51-51, Original Issue: June 6, 1978 (latest version at Revision No.: 
6, dated: March 14, 1983), and Shorts Skyvan Maintenance Program 1, 
not dated.

    Note 2: These life limits described in paragraph (e) are the 
final life limits of each aircraft unless the owner/operator works 
with Shorts Brothers PLC to develop a life extension program. Submit 
a plan to the FAA (address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD) 
for the proposed life extension program. Accomplishment of Shorts 
Service Bulletin No. 51-51, Original Issue: June 6, 1978 (latest 
version at Revision No.: 6, dated: March 14, 1983), does not extend 
the service life beyond the life limits described in paragraph (e).

    (g) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Standards Office Manager.

    Note 3: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (g) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (h) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (i) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (j) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from Short 
Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ Northern 
Ireland; telephone: +44 (0) 28 9045 8444; facsimile: +44 (0) 28 9073 
3396. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD Number 
019-09-81, not dated.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 5, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28751 Filed 11-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P