[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38826-38827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-200-AD; Amendment 39-13703; AD 2004-13-21]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, 
that requires repetitive inspections and torque tests for discrepancies 
of certain bolts and rivets; and related investigative and corrective 
actions. This action is necessary to detect and correct loose bolts 
that attach the vertical stabilizer to the horizontal stabilizer, and 
pulled or loose rivets in the upper shear angles, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the vertical stabilizer. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 3, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 3, 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 all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 
SHERPA series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 
25, 2004 (69 FR 15266). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections and torque tests for discrepancies of certain bolts and 
rivets; and related investigative and corrective actions.

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 27 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections and torque

[[Page 38827]]

tests, 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 $8,775, or $325 per airplane, per inspection/test cycle.
    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

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:

2004-13-21 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-13703. Docket 2003-NM-
200-AD.

    Applicability: All Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct loose bolts that attach the vertical 
stabilizer to the horizontal stabilizer, and pulled or loose rivets 
in the upper shear angles, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the vertical stabilizer, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections and Torque Tests and Related Investigative 
Action

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,500 total flight hours, or 
within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Perform a detailed inspection, including a torque 
test, to detect discrepancies in the bolts or bolt holes that attach 
the vertical stabilizer to the horizontal stabilizer; and to detect 
loose or pulled rivets in the upper shear angles. Repeat the 
detailed inspection and torque test at intervals not to exceed 1,500 
flight hours. If any discrepancy is found in the bolts or bolt 
holes, do the related investigative action before further flight. 
Accomplish all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3-60 Sherpa-55-1, 
dated June 6, 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.''

Related Corrective Actions

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection or torque 
test required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, 
repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Short 
Brothers Service Bulletin SD3-60 Sherpa-55-1, dated June 6, 2003. 
Where the service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
disposition of certain repair conditions: Before further flight, 
repair per a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil 
Aviation Authority or its delegated agent.

No Reporting Requirement

    (c) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance 
for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3-60 
Sherpa-55-1, dated June 6, 2003. 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 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 001-06-2003.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 3, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14572 Filed 6-28-04; 8:45 am]
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