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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration 

          - 14 CFR Part 39 
          - [Docket No. 2000-NM-202-AD] 
          - RIN 2120-AA64 

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. 

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 

# SUMMARY:

This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time visual inspection to determine the part number of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls; and replacement of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys (as applicable) with new parts, if necessary. This action would require accomplishment of the inspection and replacement in accordance with revised procedures. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent breakage of the power control cable assemblies due to the inflexible construction of the cable, which could result in loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. 

# DATES:

Comments must be received by July 31, 2000. 

# ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-202-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via the Internet must contain “Docket No. 2000-NM-202-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,                               ( print page 40550)                            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:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; 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 notice 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 filed in the Rules Docket. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2000-NM-202-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 No. 2000-NM-202-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. 

## Discussion

On January 28, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-03-06, amendment 39-11020 (64 FR 5588, February 4, 1999), applicable to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes, to require a one-time visual inspection to determine the part number of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls; and replacement of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys (as applicable) with new parts, if necessary. That action was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent breakage of the power control cable assemblies due to the inflexible construction of the cable, which could result in loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. 

## Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule 

Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has determined that certain pulleys were inadvertently omitted from the service bulletin referenced for accomplishing the required inspection and replacement of the pulleys. Accordingly, the manufacturer has issued a revision to the service bulletin to provide corrected procedures for accomplishment of the inspection and replacement. 

## Explanation of Relevant Service Information 

The manufacturer has issued Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 2, dated March 21, 2000. This service bulletin contains procedures similar to those in the original issue of the service bulletin, dated July, 1998, and Revision 1, dated October 14, 1998, which were referenced as the appropriate sources of service information in AD 99-03-06. However, Revision 2 adds procedures for inspecting and replacing two additional pulleys, clarifies certain other procedures for accomplishment of the actions, and clarifies the recommended compliance time. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom. 

## FAA's Conclusions 

This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 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 design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 99-03-06 to require a one-time inspection to determine the part number of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls; and replacement of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys (as applicable) with new parts, if necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the revised service bulletin described previously. 

## Cost Impact 

The FAA estimates that approximately 28 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, 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 $25,200, or $900 per airplane. 

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. 

## 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                           ( print page 40551)                        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. 

§ 39.13 

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11020 (64 FR 5588, February 4, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows: 

**Short Brothers, Plc:**                                Docket 2000-NM-202-AD. Supersedes AD 99-03-06, Amendment 39-11020.                             

*Applicability:*                                 All Model SD3-60 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 (c) 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 breakage of the power control cable assemblies due to the inflexible construction of the cable, which could result in loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: 

## Inspection and Corrective Actions 

(a) At the next scheduled heavy maintenance inspection, but no later than 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Perform a one-time inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the power control cable assemblies and pulleys of the engine controls, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-60 SHERPA-76-1, Revision 2, dated March 21, 2000. 

(1) If any power control cable assembly having P/N SD3-47-1091 or SD3-47-1094 is found, prior to further flight, replace the power control cable assembly with a new power control cable assembly in accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. 

(2) If any pulley having P/N C181605 is found, prior to further flight, replace the pulley with a new pulley in accordance with Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. 

## Spares 

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on the engine controls of any airplane a cable assembly having P/N SD3-47-1091 or SD3-47-1094, or any pulley having P/N C181605. 

## Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(c) 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, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. 

## Special Flight Permits 

(d) 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 2000. 

Donald L. Riggin, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 00-16646 Filed 6-29-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U