[Federal Register: December 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 241)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 75233-75236]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16de04-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18661; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-273-AD;
Amendment 39-13901; AD 2004-25-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-
SHERPA, and SD3-60 SHERPA Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Short Brothers Model SD3-60 and SD3-
SHERPA series airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time
inspection to detect cracks and/or corrosion of the gland nut on the
shock absorber of the main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on actions.
That AD also requires repair or replacement of any cracked/corroded
gland nut with a new nut. This new AD adds airplanes to the
applicability; adds repetitive inspections and corrective actions; and
provides an optional action that ends the repetitive inspections. This
AD is prompted by reports of cracked aluminum alloy gland nuts that had
been inspected previously using the existing AD. We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the aluminum alloy gland nut on the MLG shock
absorber, which could cause the MLG to collapse.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 20, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
January 20, 2005.
On December 11, 1996 (61 FR 57311, November 6, 1996), the Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
certain other publications, as listed in the regulations.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Short
Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. Box 241, Airport
Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland.
You can examine this information 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
.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
Examining the Docket
The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an AD to supersede
AD 96-22-09, amendment 39-9797 (61 FR 57311, November 6, 1996). The
existing AD applies to certain Short Brothers Model SD3-60 and SD3-
SHERPA series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal
Register on July 22, 2004 (69 FR 43779). The proposed AD continued to
require a one-time inspection to detect cracks and/or corrosion of the
gland nut on the shock absorber of the main landing gear (MLG), and
follow-on actions. The proposed AD also continued to require repair or
replacement of any cracked/corroded gland nut with a new nut. The
proposed AD added airplanes to the applicability; added repetitive
inspections and corrective actions; and provided an optional action
that would end the repetitive inspections.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Editorial Changes to AD
Minor editorial changes have been incorporated into this AD. These
include changes in the following areas:
Summary section, accurately identifying the airplanes
affected by the AD being superseded.
Note 2 of the body, updating text for the definition of a
detailed inspection.
Table 3, correcting the dates of certain service bulletins
and correcting the service bulletin reference for certain other service
bulletins.
Changing all service bulletin references from ``Short
Brothers'' service bulletin(s) to ``Shorts'' service bulletin(s). This
change was made to comply with the Office of the Federal Register's
guidelines for material incorporated by reference.
Paragraph (l), correcting the document number of the
British airworthiness directive.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
changes described previously. We have determined that these changes
will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the
scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
[[Page 75234]]
Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
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Inspections required by AD 96-22-09..................... 5 $65 N/A $325 58 $18,850
Proposed inspections (per inspection cycle)............. 5 65 N/A 325 85 26,625
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Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority.
This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting
safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing amendment 39-9797 (61 FR
57311, November 6, 1996) and adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2004-25-13 Short Brothers PLC: Amendment 39-13901. Docket No. FAA-
2004-18661; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-273-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January
20, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 96-22-09, amendment 39-9797.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-SHERPA,
and SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes; certificated in any category;
that are equipped with aluminum alloy gland nuts, part number (P/N)
200920604, on the main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracked aluminum alloy
gland nuts on the MLG shock absorber that had been previously
inspected using AD 96-22-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the aluminum alloy gland nut on the MLG shock absorber,
which could cause the MLG to collapse.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Service Bulletin Reference
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin or
service bulletins listed in the following paragraphs:
(1) For the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of
this AD, which are restated from AD 96-22-09, use the applicable
service bulletins in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Shorts Service Bulletins for Restated Requirements
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Model Service bulletin Revision Date
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SD3-SHERPA series airplanes...... SD3 SHERPA-32-2..... Original................ September 22, 1995.
SD3-SHERPA series airplanes...... SD3 SHERPA-32-2..... 1....................... June 30, 2003.
SD3-60 series airplanes.......... SD360-32-34......... Original................ September 22, 1995.
SD3-60 series airplanes.......... SD360-32-34......... 1....................... June 30, 2003.
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(2) For the new requirements specified in paragraphs (i) and (j)
of this AD, use the applicable service bulletin in Table 2 of this
AD.
Table 2.--Shorts Service Bulletins for New Requirements
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Model Service bulletin Revision Date
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SD3-SHERPA series airplanes...... SD3 SHERPA-32-2..... 1....................... June 30, 2003.
SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes... SD360 SHERPA-32-1... Original................ June 30, 2003.
[[Page 75235]]
SD3-60 series airplanes.......... SD360-32-34......... 1....................... June 30, 2003.
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Note 1: The Messier-Dowty service bulletins listed in Table 3 of
this AD are additional sources of service information for certain
actions in the Shorts service bulletins.
Table 3.--Additional Sources of Service Information
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Is an additional source of service
This Messier-Dowty service information for these shorts service
bulletin-- bulletins--
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32-78SD, dated July 19, 1995...... SD3 SHERPA-32-2, dated September 22,
1995; and SD360-32-34, dated
September 22, 1995.
32-78SD, Revision 1, dated SD360 SHERPA-32-1, dated June 30,
December 9, 2002. 2003; and SD360-32-34, Revision 1,
dated June 30, 2003.
32-80SD, dated August 31, 2000.... SD360 SHERPA-32-1, dated June 30,
2003; SD3 SHERPA-32-2, Revision 1,
dated June 30, 2003; and SD360-32-
34, Revision 1, dated June 30,
2003.
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Restatement of the Requirements of AD 96-22-09
(g) For Model SD3-60 series airplanes and Model SD3-SHERPA
series airplanes: Within 90 days after December 11, 1996 (the
effective date AD 96-22-09), perform a one-time visual and
fluorescent dye penetrant inspection to detect cracks and/or
corrosion of the gland nut on the shock absorber of the MLG, in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
(1) If no crack and/or corrosion is detected, no further action
is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If no crack is detected, but corrosion is detected that is
within the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to
further flight, repair the gland nut in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
(3) If any crack is detected, or if any corrosion is detected
that is outside the limits specified in the applicable service
bulletin, prior to further flight, replace the gland nut with a new
gland nut, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
(h) Following accomplishment of paragraph (g) of this AD, prior
to further flight, apply grease to the threads of the cylinder, and
apply sealant to the inner radius of the gland nut, in accordance
with the applicable service bulletin.
New Requirements of This AD
Detailed Inspection and Corrective Action
(i) For all airplanes: Within 4 months after the effective date
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the P/N 200920604 gland nut
on the MLG shock absorber for corrosion and/or cracking, and do any
applicable corrective action before further flight, in accordance
with the applicable service bulletin. Repeat the inspection at
intervals not to exceed 12 months.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Optional Terminating Action
(j) Replacing the aluminum alloy gland nut, P/N 200920604, with
a new steel gland nut, P/N 200920639, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin, terminates the requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(l) British airworthiness directive 008-06-2003 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use the service information that is specified in
Table 4 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. For copies of the service
information, contact Short Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering
Quality, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern
Ireland. For information on the availability of this material at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket
at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC.
Table 4.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date
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SD3 SHERPA-32-2....................... Original........................... September 22, 1995.
SD3 SHERPA-32-2....................... 1.................................. June 30, 2003.
SD360 SHERPA-32-1..................... Original........................... June 30, 2003.
SD360-32-34........................... Original........................... September 22, 1995.
SD360-32-34........................... 1.................................. June 30, 2003.
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(1) The incorporation by reference of the service information
listed in Table 5 of this AD is approved by the Director of the
Federal Register, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51.
Table 5.--Material Newly Incorporated by Reference
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Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date
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SD3 SHERPA-32-2....................... 1.................................. June 30, 2003.
SD360 SHERPA-32-1..................... Original........................... June 30, 2003.
SD360-32-34........................... 1.................................. June 30, 2003.
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[[Page 75236]]
(2) The incorporation by reference of the service information
listed in Table 6 of this AD was approved previously by the Director
of the Federal Register as of December 11, 1996 (61 FR 57311,
November 6, 1996).
Table 6.--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
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Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date
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SD3 SHERPA-32-2....................... Original........................... September 22, 1995.
SD360-32-34........................... Original........................... September 22, 1995.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27331 Filed 12-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P