80 FR 9382 - Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 35 (February 23, 2015)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Model SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracking, which could lead to structural failure of the nose landing gear (NLG). We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9382-9384]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03165]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1001; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-034-AD; 
Amendment 39-18003; AD 2015-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Short 
Brothers & Harland Ltd. Model SC-7 Series 3 airplanes. This AD results 
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as fatigue cracking, which could lead to structural failure 
of the nose landing gear (NLG). We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 30, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1001; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Short 
Brothers & Harland Ltd. service information identified in this proposed 
AD, contact Airworthiness, Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport 
Road, Belfast, BT3 9DZ Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; phone: +44-
2890-462469, fax: 44-2890-733647, email: 
[email protected], internet: None; and for SAFRAN 
Messier-Buggatti-Dowty service information contact Messier-Dowty 
Limited, Cheltenham Road, Gloucester GL2 9QH, ENGLAND; phone: 
+44(0)1452 712424; fax: +44(0)1452 713821; email: 
[email protected], Internet: http://www.safranmbd.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. 
You can also find this service information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1001. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to adding an AD that would apply to Short Brothers & Harland 
Ltd Model SC-7 Series 3 airplane. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72562). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    A fracture of the nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube was 
reported. The subsequent investigation determined fatigue cracking 
as possible cause of the failure.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
structural failure of the NLG, possibly resulting in loss of control 
of the aeroplane during take-off or landing.
    To address this unsafe condition, the Messier-Dowty Ltd, the NLG 
manufacturer, issued Service Bulletin (SB) 32-17M to provide 
inspection instructions. Consequently Short Brothers PLC issued SB 
32-74 which references Messier-Dowty Ltd SB 32-17M.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires one-time 
visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    The MCAI requires you report the findings to Short Brothers PLC to 
obtain FAA-approved repair instructions and accomplish the repair 
accordingly. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1001-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 72562, December 8, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 72562, December 8, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 72562, December 8, 2014).

Relative Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Shorts Service Bulletin 
Number 32-74, dated November 1, 2014; and SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-Dowty 
Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014. The Shorts Service 
Bulletin Number 32-74, dated November 1, 2014, and SAFRAN Messier-
Buggatti-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014, 
describe procedures for a visual inspection and a fluorescent penetrant 
inspection (FPI) for cracking of the NLG

[[Page 9383]]

Sliding Tube. This service information is reasonably available; see 
ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 24 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $10,200, or $425 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 16 work-hours and require parts costing $25,000, for a cost 
of $26,360 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA 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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1001; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 adding the following new AD:

2015-04-01 Short Brothers & Harland Ltd: Amendment 39-18103; Docket 
No. FAA-2014-1001; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-034-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 30, 
2015.

(b) Affected Ads

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Model SC-7 
Series 3 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracking 
which could lead to structural failure of the nose landing gear 
(NLG). We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
structural failure of the NLG, possibly resulting in loss of control 
of the airplane during take-off or landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, comply with this AD within the compliance 
times specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Within 30 days after March 30, 2015 (the effective date of 
this AD), accomplish a visual inspection of the NLG sliding tube 
following the instructions of paragraph 3.A of SAFRAN Messier-
Buggatti-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014.
    Note 1 to paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(4), and (f)(5) of this 
AD: Instructions provided by SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-Dowty Service 
Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014, are referenced in 
Shorts Service Bulletin Number 32-74, dated November 1, 2014.
    (2) Within 90 days after March 30, 2015 (the effective date of 
this AD), do a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the sliding tube 
following the instructions of paragraph 3.B of SAFRAN Messier-
Buggatti-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014.
    (3) If any crack is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, obtain 
FAA-approved repair instructions approved specifically for 
compliance with this AD by reporting the findings to Short Brothers 
& Harland Ltd and incorporating those instructions. You can find 
contact information for Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. in paragraph 
(h) of this AD.
    (4) Within 30 days after any inspection required by paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD or within 30 days after March 30, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever

[[Page 9384]]

occurs later, report the inspection results to Short Brothers & 
Harland Ltd. by completing the Inspection Results Proforma following 
the instructions of paragraph 3.C.(2) of SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-
Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, dated November 1, 2014. You can 
find contact information for Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. in 
paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (5) From March 30, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), you may 
install a sliding tube on an NLG provided that, before next flight 
after installation, the NLG sliding tube passes the inspections in 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD following the instructions 
of paragraph 3 of SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 
32-17M, dated November 1, 2014.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2014-0246, dated November 12, 2014; and Shorts Service Bulletin 
Number 32-74, dated November 1, 2014, for related information. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1001-0002. For Short 
Brothers & Harland Ltd. service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airworthiness, Short Brothers PLC, P.O. Box 241, Airport 
Road, Belfast, BT3 9DZ Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; phone: +44-
2890-462469, fax: 44-2890-733647, email: 
[email protected], internet: None.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-17M, 
dated November 1, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For SAFRAN Messier-Buggatti-Dowty service information 
identified in this AD, contact Messier-Dowty Limited, Cheltenham 
Road, Gloucester GL2 9QH, ENGLAND; phone: +44(0)1452 712424; fax: 
+44(0)1452 713821; email: [email protected], Internet: http://www.safranmbd.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1001.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2015.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03165 Filed 2-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P