[Federal Register: April 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 69)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17563-17565]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10ap03-13]
========================================================================
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.
========================================================================
[[Page 17563]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-15-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 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. 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 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: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
comments on this proposed rule on or before May 19, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-15-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: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-15-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 proposed 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. 2003-CE-15-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard
back to you.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed 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 are the consequences if the condition is not corrected?
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.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Shorts
has issued Service Bulletin Number 27-77, Original Issue 27/FEB/03.
What are the provisions of this service information? This service
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting all flight control rods for cracks or corrosion;
--Correcting corrosion damage that is not beyond the acceptable limits;
and
--Replacing any cracked or corroded (past acceptable limits) control
rods.
What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the United Kingdom. The CAA classifying a service
bulletin as mandatory is the equivalent for airplanes of British
registry as an AD is for airplanes of American registry.
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.
[[Page 17564]]
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
airplanes 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 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 proposed AD would 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).
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed 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 would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 24 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to
accomplish the initial inspection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250 hours x $60 per hour = $15,000.. No parts necessary to $15,000 per airplane... $15,000 x 24 airplanes =
accomplish inspection. $360,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The follow-up inspections would 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 Proposed AD
What would be the compliance time of this proposed AD? The initial
inspection compliance time of this proposed 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 the proposed 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 the
proposed 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 the proposed AD does not
go undetected for a long period of time, the compliance is presented in
calendar time instead of hours TIS.
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.
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. 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:
[[Page 17565]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect all flight Initially inspect In accordance with
control system rods for within the next 3 the ACCOMPLISHMENT
cracks and corrosion damage. months after the INSTRUCTIONS
effective date of section of Shorts
this AD or within Service Bulletin
24 months after the Number 27-77,
last inspection Original Issue 27/
accomplished in FEB/03.
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.
(2) If corrosion is found Prior to further In accordance with
during any inspection that flight after the the ACCOMPLISHMENT
does not exceed the limits inspection where INSTRUCTIONS
specified in Shorts Service the damage is found. section of Shorts
Bulletin 27-77, repair the Service Bulletin
corrosion damage on the Number 27-77,
affected flight control rod. Original Issue 27/
FEB/03.
(3) If any crack is found or Prior to further In accordance with
if corrosion damage that flight after the the ACCOMPLISHMENT
exceeds the limits inspection where INSTRUCTIONS
specified in Shorts Service the damage or section of Shorts
Bulletin 27-77 is found cracks are found. Service Bulletin
during any inspection Number 27-77,
required by this AD, Original Issue 27/
replace the affected flight FEB/03.
control rod.
(4) Do not install any used As of the effective In accordance with
flight control rod on any date of this AD. the ACCOMPLISHMENT
affected airplane unless it INSTRUCTIONS
has been inspected and section of Shorts
found to be corrosion and Service Bulletin
crack free as specified in Number 27-77,
this AD. Then repetitively Original Issue 27/
inspect as required in FEB/03.
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time,
follow 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) 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: 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 4, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8750 Filed 4-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P