Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 53937

Document No. Pages Revision Date

T53–L–703–A0092 ....................................................................................................................................... 1–7 Original .... June 4, 1997.

Total pages: 7

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 AlliedSignal Aerospace, Attn: Data

Distribution, M/S 64–3/2101–201, P.O. Box

29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038–9003; telephone

(602) 365–2493, fax (602) 365–5577. Copies

may be inspected at the FAA, New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,

MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register,

800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

November 3, 1997.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

October 8, 1997.

Jay J. Pardee,

Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–27350 Filed 10–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–220–AD; Amendment

39–10164; AD 97–21–11]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Short

Brothers Model SD3–30 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to all Short Brothers Model

SD3–30 series airplanes. This action

requires a one-time inspection to

measure the depth of the skin flutes of

the skin panels of the rudder and

elevators, and repair, if necessary. This

amendment is prompted by reports

indicating that, due to a manufacturing

process error, the depth of certain skin

flutes of the rudder and elevators is less

than the design specification. The

actions specified in this AD are

intended to prevent structural damage

and/or loss of the rudder or elevators if

the airplane is operated under ultimate

load conditions, which could result in

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective November 3, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of November

3, 1997.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

November 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

220–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

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

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary

D. Lium, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055–4056; telephone

(425) 227–1112; fax (425) 227–1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that

an unsafe condition may exist on all

Short Brothers Model SD3–30 series

airplanes. The CAA advises of findings

that the depth of the skin flutes of the

port and starboard skin panels of the

rudder and elevators is less than the

appropriate depth specified by the

design specification. The problem was

noticed during the production of skin

flutes for the SD3–60 SHERPA series

airplanes, and it was noted that the

same manufacturing process was used

for Model SD3–30 series airplanes. (The

manufacturer advises that all SD3–60

SHERPA series airplanes have been

inspected, and that no unsafe condition

exists with regard to the skin flutes on

these airplanes; therefore, Model SD3–

60 SHERPA series airplanes are not

included in the applicability of this

AD.) Such inadequate depth of the skin

flutes, if not corrected, could result in

structural damage and/or loss of the

rudder or elevators if the airplane is

operated under ultimate load

conditions, and consequent reduced

controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued Service

Bulletin SD330–55–19, dated February

11, 1997, which describes procedures

for performing a one-time inspection to

measure the depth of the skin flutes of

the skin panels of the rudder and

elevators, and repair, if necessary. The

CAA classified this service bulletin as

mandatory and issued British

airworthiness directive 006–02–97 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 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, this AD is being issued to

prevent structural damage and/or loss of

the rudder or elevators if the airplane is

operated under ultimate load

conditions, and consequent reduced

controllability of the airplane. This AD

requires a one-time inspection to

measure the depth of the skin flutes of

the skin panels of the rudder and

elevators, and repair, if necessary. The

inspection is required to be

accomplished in accordance with the

service bulletin described previously.

The repair of any discrepant skin flute

is required to be accomplished in

accordance with a method approved by

the FAA.
53938 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for prior public comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this 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

under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–NM–220–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

not have substantial direct effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612,

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and that it is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866. It has been determined

further that this action involves an

emergency regulation under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it, if filed, 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

1. The authority citation for part 39

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

97–21–11 Short Brothers, PLC: Amendment

39–10164. Docket 97–NM–220–AD.

Applicability: All Model SD3–30 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

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in

the area subject to the requirements of this

AD. For airplanes that have been otherwise

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 (b)

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 structural damage and/or loss

of the rudder or elevators if the airplane is

operated under ultimate load conditions, and

consequent reduced controllability of the

airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 90 days of the effective date of

this AD, accomplish a one-time inspection to

measure the depth of the skin flutes of the

port and starboard skin panels of the rudder

and elevators, in accordance with Short

Brothers Service Bulletin SD330–55–19,

dated February 11, 1997.

(1) If the depth of the skin flutes is within

the limits specified in the service bulletin, no

further action is required by this AD.

(2) If the depth of the skin flutes is beyond

the limits specified in the service bulletin,

prior to further flight, repair it in accordance

with a method approved by the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate.

(b) 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,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Standardization

Branch, ANM–113.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch,

ANM–113.

(c) 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.

(d) The inspection shall be done in

accordance with Short Brothers Service

Bulletin SD330–55–19, dated February 11,

1997. 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 FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

November 3, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

9, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–27355 Filed 10–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P