[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35243-35244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14179]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-235-AD; Amendment 39-13685; AD 2004-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Short Brothers Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, 
that requires a repetitive detailed inspection of the stub wing shear 
decks for corrosion and abnormal wear on and around the retaining pin 
in the main landing gear (MLG) forward pintle pin; and corrective 
action, if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating 
action. These actions are necessary to detect and correct corrosion and 
abnormal wear to the top and bottom shear decks, which could result in 
damage to the MLG and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane on landing. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 29, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 29, 2004.

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 National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 certain Short Brothers Model SD3-
SHERPA series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 
15, 2004 (69 FR 19956). That action proposed to require a repetitive 
detailed inspection of the stub wing shear decks for corrosion and 
abnormal wear on and around the retaining pin in the main landing gear 
(MLG) forward pintle pin; and corrective action, if necessary. That 
action also proposed an optional terminating action.

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

    After careful review of the available data, 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 16 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 13 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $13,520, or $845 per 
airplane, per inspection.
    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.
    If an operator chooses to accomplish the optional terminating 
action rather than continue the repetitive detailed inspections, it 
will take about 12 work hours per stub wing (2 stub wings per airplane) 
to accomplish the replacement of the retaining pin and circlip with a 
new retaining pin with castellated nut and cotter pin, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $2,400 
per stub wing. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
optional terminating action to be $6,360 per airplane.

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.

[[Page 35244]]

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-13-04 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-13685. Docket 2003-NM-
235-AD.

    Applicability: Model SD3-SHERPA series airplanes, except those 
that have embodied Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-32-4, 
dated July 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct corrosion and abnormal wear to the top and 
bottom shear decks, which could result in damage to the main landing 
gear (MLG) and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane on 
landing, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, and 
continuing at intervals not to exceed 6 months, perform a detailed 
inspection of the stub wing shear decks to detect corrosion and/or 
abnormal wear according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Short 
Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-53-6, dated May 2003.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

Repair

    (b) If any corrosion and/or abnormal wear is discovered during 
the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further 
flight, perform corrective actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-53-6, dated May 2003, Part B and/or Part C as applicable; 
except where the service bulletin specifies that operators should 
contact the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair 
conditions, before further flight, repair those conditions per a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the UK-CAA (or its delegated 
agent).

Optional Terminating Action

    (c) Performance of the optional terminating action, which 
includes replacement of the retaining pin and circlip with a new 
retaining pin, washer, castellated nut, and cotter pin, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-32-4, dated July 2003, terminates the requirement for 
repetitive detailed inspections specified in paragraph (a) of this 
AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (d) Operators should note that, although Short Brothers Service 
Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-32-4, dated May 2003, describes procedures for 
reporting inspection results to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-
53-6, dated May 2003; and Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 
SHERPA-32-4, dated July 2003; 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 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-05-2003, dated August 2003.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 29, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14179 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P