[Federal Register: June 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 121)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35243-35244]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn04-6]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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