Airworthiness directives: Short Brothers,

[Federal Register: November 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 226)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 58680-58682]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23no01-14]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-143-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 SHERPA, and SD3-SHERPA Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 SHERPA, and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the two power cables to the heated windshield to detect inadequate clearance, chafing, and inadequate support. This proposal would also require corrective action, if necessary, including increasing the clearance, providing additional support, re-routing, and replacing power cables, as applicable. This action is necessary to prevent discrepancies of the two power cables to the heated windshield from causing an electrical short circuit with possible smoke and fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket Number 2001-NM-143-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket Number 2001-NM-143-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

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: 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:

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 action may be changed in light of the comments received.

Submit comments using the following format:

Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.

For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.

Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.

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 filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2001-NM-143-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 Number 2001-NM-143-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 SHERPA, and SD3-SHERPA series airplanes. The CAA advises that operators have reported finding discrepancies of the power cables to the heated windshields. This condition, if not corrected, could cause an electrical short circuit with possible smoke and fire in the cockpit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

The manufacturer has issued Short Brothers Service Bulletins SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); and SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001. Each service bulletin describes procedures for a general visual

[[Page 58681]]

inspection of the power cables to the heated windshield for inadequate clearance, chafing, and inadequate support. Each service bulletin also describe procedures for corrective action, if necessary, including increasing the clearance or providing additional support for the power cables, re-routing a lightly-chafed power cable, and replacing a more heavily chafed power cable with a new power cable, as applicable. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 001-004-2001 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions

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 the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type designs registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 78 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection of the power cables to the heated windshield, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,680, or $60 per airplane.

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 proposed 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 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 proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 2001-NM-143-AD.

   Applicability: All Model Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-60 SHERPA, and SD3-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 (e) 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 prevent discrepancies of the two power cables to the heated windshield from causing an electrical short circuit with possible smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following:

   Inspection and Corrective Action, If Necessary

   (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform a general visual inspection of the power cables to the heated windshield to detect inadequate clearance, chafing, and inadequate support, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA- 30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as applicable. If the general visual inspection finds no evidence of chafing and finds that clearance and support of the power cables are adequate: No further action is needed.

   Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

   (b) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD finds no evidence of chafing, but finds that clearance or support of the power cables are not adequate: Prior to further flight, increase the clearance or provide additional support of the power cables, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA- 30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as applicable.

   (c) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD finds evidence of chafing, but there is no damage to the outer nylon protective coating with exposure of the glass fiber braid: Prior to further flight, re-

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   route the power cables, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as applicable.

   (d) If the general visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD finds evidence of chafing, and there is damage to the outer protective covering with exposure of the glass fiber braid: Prior to further flight, replace the damaged power cable with new cable, in accordance with Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3 SHERPA-30-2 (for Model SD3 Sherpa series airplanes); SD360 SHERPA- 30-2 (for Model SD360 Sherpa series airplanes); or SD360-30-26 (for Model SD360 series airplanes), all dated April 2, 2001, as applicable.

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (e) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   Special Flight Permits

   (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 001-04-2001.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 15, 2001. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 01-29195Filed11-21-01; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P