AD 2004-25-13 Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3-60, SD3-SHERPA, and SD3-60 SHERPA Series Airplanes

Models named: SD3-60, SD3-SHERPA, SD3-60 SHERPA series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

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.

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 Model Service bulletin Revision Date 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. (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 Model Service bulletin Revision Date 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. SD3-60 series airplanes SD360-32-34 1 June 30, 2003. 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 This Messier-Dowty service bulletin— Is an additional source of service information for these shorts service bulletins— 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 December 9, 2002 SD360 SHERPA-32-1, dated June 30, 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. 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 Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date 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. (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 Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date SD3 SHERPA-32-2 1 June 30, 2003. SD360 SHERPA-32-1 Original June 30, 2003. SD360-32-34 1 June 30, 2003. (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 Shorts service bulletin Revision level Date SD3 SHERPA-32-2 Original September 22, 1995. SD360-32-34 Original September 22, 1995. 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

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.