[Federal Register: June 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 125)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38588-38590]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn03-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD; Amendment 39-13207; AD 2003-13-07]
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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. (Shorts) Models SC-7
Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This AD requires you to
repetitively inspect all flight control system rods for corrosion and
cracks, replace any cracked rod, and repair corrosion damage or replace
any corroded rod depending on the extent of the damage. This AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of any flight
control system rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could
lead to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 11, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of
August 11, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 this information at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-15-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Civil Airworthiness Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom,
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Models
SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. The CAA reports 27 flight
control rods with corrosion beyond acceptable limits and 15 rods with
cracks. This is on a total of 26 different aircraft.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracked or
corroded flight control rods, if not detected or corrected, could lead
to complete failure of the flight control system with consequent loss
of control of the airplane.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all Shorts Models SC-7 Series 2 and
SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 10, 2003
(68 FR 17563). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect
all flight control system rods for corrosion and cracks, replace any
cracked rod, and repair corrosion damage or replace any corroded rod
depending on the extent of the damage.
The NPRM also proposed to give initial inspection credit to those
operators who had previously inspected the flight control rods in
accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any revision level).
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of
the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
[sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
[[Page 38589]]
[sbull] do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 24 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
initial inspection:
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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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250 hours x $60 per hour = $15,000... No parts necessary to accomplish $15,000 per airplane. $15,000 x 24 airplanes = $360,000.
inspection.
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The follow-up inspections will be substantially less than the
initial inspection because the flight control rods only have to be
removed in the initial inspection. Replacement control rods cost
$2,000. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may
need such repair/replacement.
Compliance Time of This AD
What will be the compliance time of this AD? The initial inspection
compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 3 months after the
effective date of this AD or within 24 months after the last inspection
accomplished in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any
revision level), whichever occurs later.'' The repetitive inspection
compliance time of this AD is ``thereafter at intervals not to exceed
24 months.''
Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of
hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition specified by this AD
is caused by corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the
aircraft is in operation or is in storage. Therefore, to ensure that
the unsafe condition specified in this AD does not go undetected for a
long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time
instead of hours TIS.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? 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.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy
of the final 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2003-13-07 Short Brothers and Harland Ltd.: Amendment 39-13207;
Docket No. 2003-CE-15-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 failure of any flight control system
rod caused by cracks or corrosion. Such failure could lead to
complete failure of the flight control system with consequent loss
of control of the airplane.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect all flight control Initially inspect within the next 3 In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
system rods for cracks and months after August 11, 2003 (the INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
corrosion damage. effective date of this AD or within Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
24 months after the last inspection Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
accomplished in accordance with
Shorts Service Bulletin 27-74 (any
revision level), whichever occurs
later, unless already accomplished.
Repetitively inspect thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 24 months.
[[Page 38590]]
(2) If corrosion is found during Prior to further flight after the In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
any inspection that does not inspection where the damage is found. INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
exceed the limits specified in Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
Shorts Service Bulletin 27-77, Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
repair the corrosion damage on
the affected flight control rod.
(3) If any crack is found or if Prior to further flight after the In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
corrosion damage that exceeds inspection where the damage or cracks INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
the limits specified in Shorts are found. Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
Service Bulletin 27-77 is found Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
during any inspection required
by this AD, replace the affected
flight control rod.
(4) Do not install any used As of August 11, 2003 (the effective In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
flight control rod on any date of this AD). INSTRUCTIONS section of Shorts
affected airplane unless it has Service Bulletin Number 27-77,
been inspected and found to be Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
corrosion and crack free as
specified in this AD. Then
repetitively inspect as required
in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, use
the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the Manager,
Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For information on 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.
(f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue February
27, 2003. The Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
You may get copies 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 copies at the
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note: The United Kingdom Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA)
classified Shorts Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/
FEB/03, as mandatory. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as
mandatory is the equivalent for airplanes on the British registry as
an AD is for airplanes on the U.S. registry.
(g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on August 11, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 16, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15853 Filed 6-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P