[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39769-39771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19778]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-106-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60 and SD3-60
SHERPA Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 series
airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections to detect
corrosion and/or wear of the top and bottom shear decks of the left and
right stub wings in the area of the forward pintle pin of the main
landing gear (MLG), and repair, if necessary. That proposal was
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. This new action revises the
proposed rule by expanding the applicability to include an additional
airplane model. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are
intended to detect and correct corrosion and/or wear of the top and
bottom shear decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of the
forward pintle pin of the MLG, which could result in failure of the MLG
to extend or retract.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 18, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-106-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.
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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
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 notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-106-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 No. 97-NM-106-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all
Short Brothers Model SD3-60 series airplanes, was published as a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on October 6,
1997 (62 FR 52053). That NPRM would have required repetitive
inspections to detect corrosion and/or wear of the top and bottom shear
decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of the forward
pintle pin of the main landing gear (MLG), and repair, if necessary.
That NPRM was prompted by reports of corrosion and/or wear of the top
and bottom shear decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of
the forward pintle pin of the MLG. Such corrosion or wear of the top
and bottom shear decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of
the forward pintle pin of the MLG, if not corrected, could result in
failure of the MLG to extend or retract.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal
Since the issuance of that NPRM, the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom,
notified the FAA that the unsafe condition described in the original
NPRM also may exist on all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series
airplanes. The shear decks of the stub wings on Model SD3-60 SHERPA
series airplanes are similar in design to those on Model SD3-60 series
airplanes; therefore, both models are subject to the same unsafe
condition. The FAA has revised the applicability of this
[[Page 39770]]
supplemental NPRM to add Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes.
New Service Information
Short Brothers has issued Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-3,
dated November 4, 1997, which describes procedures for repetitive
inspections to detect corrosion and/or wear of the top and bottom shear
decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of the forward
pintle pin of the MLG, and repair, if necessary. For airplanes on which
certain depths of corrosion or wear is detected, the service bulletin
describes procedures for a visual inspection to detect any discrepancy
of the pintle pin and sleeve. The CAA classified this service bulletin
as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 005-11-97 in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
United Kingdom.
The FAA has revised this supplemental NPRM to reference this
service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information for
accomplishment of the actions proposed by this AD for Model SD3-60
SHERPA series airplanes.
Explanation of Change Made to NPRM
In the original NPRM, the FAA inadvertently omitted a paragraph
requiring operators to repeat the inspection for corrosion of the top
and bottom shear decks of the left and right stub wings at intervals
not to exceed 6 months even if no corrosion, wear, or discrepancy of
the measurement of the holes for the retaining pin of the pintle pin is
found. Accordingly, the FAA has included this requirement in paragraph
(a)(1) of this supplemental NPRM.
Conclusion
Since these changes expand the scope of the originally proposed
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 58 Model SD3-60 series airplanes and 28
Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected
by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 13 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $67,080,
or $780 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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 AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 97-NM-106-AD.
Applicability: All Model SD3-60 and SD3-60 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 (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 detect and correct corrosion and/or wear of the top and
bottom shear decks of the left and right stub wings in the area of
the forward pintle pin of the main landing gear (MLG), which could
result in failure of the MLG to extend or retract, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, conduct
an inspection for corrosion of the top and bottom shear decks of the
left and right stub wings in the area of the forward pintle pin of
the MLG, and measure the retaining pin holes of the pintle pin for
wear; in accordance with Part A. of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD360-53-42, dated September 1996
(for Model SD3-60 series airplanes), or Short Brothers Service
Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-3, dated November 4, 1997 (for Model SD3-
60 SHERPA series airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no corrosion, wear, or discrepancy of the measurement of
the holes for the retaining pin of the pintle pin is found, repeat
the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 6 months.
(2) If any corrosion, wear, or measurement of the holes for the
retaining pin of the pintle pin is found that is within the limits
specified in Part A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
applicable service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair the
discrepancy in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD at intervals not to exceed 6 months.
(3) If any corrosion, wear, or measurement of the holes for the
retaining pin of the pintle pin is found that is beyond the limits
specified in Part A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
applicable service bulletin, prior to further flight, perform the
actions required by paragraph (a)(3)(i) and (a)(3)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Remove the corrosion and install bushings on the upper and
lower shear webs in the retaining pin holes for the pintle pin in
accordance with Part B. (left MLG) and/or Part C. (right MLG), as
applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
service bulletin.
(ii) Perform a visual inspection of the pintle pin and the
sleeve for any discrepancy, in accordance with Part B. and/or Part
C., as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
applicable service bulletin.
[[Page 39771]]
(A) If no discrepancy is detected, the pintle pin and the sleeve
of the pintle pin may be returned to service.
(B) If any discrepancy of the pintle pin and sleeve is detected,
prior to further flight, repair the pintle pin and sleeve in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(b) Removal of corrosion and installation of bushings in
accordance with Part B. and/or Part C., as applicable, of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Short Brothers Service Bulletin
SD360-53-42, dated September 1996 (for Model SD3-60 series
airplanes), or Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-53-3,
dated November 4, 1997 (for Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes),
as applicable, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirements of this AD.
(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.
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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directives 005-09-96 and 005-11-97.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20, 1998.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19778 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U