This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

61703

Vol. 62, No. 223

Wednesday, November 19, 1997

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–118–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Short

Brothers Model 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 SHERPA

and SD3 SHERPA series airplanes. This

proposal would require removing the

aluminum alloy oxygen pipe assembly

and replacing it with a stainless steel

assembly. This proposal is prompted by

the issuance of mandatory continuing

airworthiness information by a foreign

civil airworthiness authority. The

actions specified by the proposed AD

are intended to prevent aluminum

oxygen tubing from bursting and

releasing a high-pressure oxygen flow

into the passenger cabin, which could

result in a fire hazard during flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by

December 19, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

118–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.

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:

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.

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 97–NM–118–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–103, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–NM–118–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

SHERPA and SD3 SHERPA series

airplanes. The CAA advises that

incorrect material had been specified on

a detail drawing of the oxygen system.

This problem was discovered during

manufacturing. The drawing incorrectly

specified that the tubing to be installed

should be made from aluminum rather

than stainless steel. This condition, if

not corrected, could result in bursting of

the aluminum alloy tubing and releasing

of a high-pressure oxygen flow into the

passenger cabin, which could result in

a fire hazard during flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Short Brothers has issued Service

Bulletins SD3–60 SHERPA–35–1 and

SD3 SHERPA–35–2, both dated April 8,

1997, which describe a procedure for

removing the existing aluminum alloy

oxygen pipe assembly and replacing it

with a stainless steel assembly.

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 to assure 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 design registered in the United

States, the proposed AD would require

accomplishment of the actions specified

in the service bulletins described

previously.
61704 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Proposed Rules

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 9 Short

Brothers Model SD3–60 SHERPA and

SD3 SHERPA series airplanes of U.S.

registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 4 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the proposed

actions, and that the average labor rate

is $60 per work hour. Required parts

would cost $60 per airplane. Based on

these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $2,700, or $300 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 AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

would 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

proposal would not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Short Brothers, PLC: Docket 97–NM–118–

AD.

Applicability: All Model 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

otherwise 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 aluminum oxygen tubing from

bursting and releasing a high-pressure

oxygen flow into the passenger cabin, which

could result in a fire hazard during flight;

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 90 days after the effective date

of this AD, remove the aluminum oxygen

tubing pipe assembly and replace it with a

stainless steel tubing pipe assembly in

accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions of Short Brothers Service

Bulletin SD3–60 SHERPA–35–1 or SD3

SHERPA–35–2, both dated April 8, 1997, as

applicable.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install an aluminum alloy

oxygen tubing pipe assembly, part number

SD3–71–20052–401, on any airplane.

(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 International Branch,

ANM–116.

(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

November 13, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–30329 Filed 11–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–NM–184–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A320–111, –211, and –231 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

certain Airbus Model A320–111, –211,

and –231 series airplanes. This proposal

would require repetitive inspections for

cracking in the transition and pick-up

angles in the lower part of the center

fuselage area, and corrective action, if

necessary. This proposal would also

provide for an optional terminating

modification for the repetitive

inspection requirements. This proposal

is prompted by the issuance of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to detect and correct fatigue

cracking in the transition and pick-up

angles of the lower part of the center

fuselage, which could result in reduced

structural integrity of the wing-fuselage

support and fuselage pressure vessel.

DATES: Comments must be received by

December 19, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 96–NM–

184–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.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice