AD 2006-12-18 Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers Model SD3 Airplanes

Models named: SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-SHERPA, SD3-30, SD3-60. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Shorts Model SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-SHERPA, SD3-30, and SD3-60 airplanes, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the AFMs as specified in Table 1 of this AD to include the information in the applicable Shorts advance amendment bulletins as specified in Table 1 of this AD. The advance amendment bulletins address operation during icing conditions and fuel system failures. Thereafter, operate the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in the applicable advance amendment bulletin. Note 2: The requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of the applicable advance amendment bulletin into the AFM. When the applicable advance amendment bulletin has been included in general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM and the advance amendment bulletin may be removed, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in the advance amendment bulletin. Table 1.—AFM Revisions Airplane model Shorts advance amendment bulletin To AFM SD3-30 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SBH.3.2, SBH.3.3, SBH.3.6, SBH.3.7, SBH.3.8, and SB.3.9. SD3-60 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.4.3, SB.4.6, and SB.4.8. SD3-60 SHERPA 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.5.2. SD3-SHERPA 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.6.2. Revision of Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) Section (g) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating airplane maintenance manual (AMM) sections 5-20-01 and 5-20-02 as introduced by the Shorts temporary revisions (TR) specified in Table 2 of this AD into the AWL section of the AMMs for the airplane models specified in Table 2. Thereafter, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative structural inspection intervals may be approved for the longitudinal skin joints in the fuselage pressure shell. Note 3: The requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of the applicable TR into the applicable AMM. When the TR has been included in general revisions of the AMM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AMM and the TR may be removed, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in the TR. Table 2.—AMM Temporary Revisions Airplane model Temporary revision Dated To AMM SD3-30 TR330-AMM-13 June 21, 2004 SD3-30 AMM. SD3-30 TR330-AMM-14 June 21, 2004 SD3-30 AMM. SD3-60 TR360-AMM-33 July 27, 2004 SD3-60 AMM. SD3-60 TR360-AMM-34 July 27, 2004 SD3-60 AMM. SD3-60 SHERPA TRSD360S-AMM-14 July 29, 2004 SD3-60 SHERPA AMM. SD3-60 SHERPA TRSD360S-AMM-15 July 29, 2004 SD3-60 SHERPA AMM. SD3-SHERPA TRSD3S-AMM-15 July 28, 2004 SD3 SHERPA AMM. SD3-SHERPA TRSD3S-AMM-16 July 28, 2004 SD3 SHERPA AMM. Resistance Check, Inspection, and Jumper Installation (h) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform the insulation resistance check, general visual inspections, and bonding jumper wire installations; in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD330-28-37, SD360-28-23, SD360 SHERPA-28-3, or SD3 SHERPA-28-2; all dated June 2004; as applicable. If any defect or damage is discovered during any inspection or check required by this AD, before further flight, repair the defect or damage using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent). Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) 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. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (j) British airworthiness directive G-2004-0021 R1, dated September 15, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the applicable service information specified in Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (The document number of the advance amendment bulletins is listed only on page 1 of those documents.) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Short Brothers, Airworthiness & Engineering Quality, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 3.—Shorts Temporary Revisions Incorporated by Reference Temporary revision Dated To airplane maintenance manual TR330-AMM-13 June 21, 2004 SD3-30. TR330-AMM-14 June 21, 2004 SD3-30. TR360-AMM-33 July 27, 2004 SD3-60. TR360-AMM-34 July 27, 2004 SD3-60. TRSD360S-AMM-14 July 29, 2004 SD3-60 SHERPA. TRSD360S-AMM-15 July 29, 2004 SD3-60 SHERPA. TRSD3S-AMM-15 July 28, 2004 SD3 SHERPA. TRSD3S-AMM-16 July 28, 2004 SD3 SHERPA. Table 4.—Shorts Advance Amendment Bulletins Incorporated by Reference Advance amendment bulletin To airplane flight manual 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SBH.3.2, SBH.3.3, SBH.3.6, SBH.3.7, SBH.3.8, and SB.3.9. 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.4.3, SB.4.6, and SB.4.8. 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.5.2. 1/2004, dated July 13, 2004 SB.6.2. Table 5.—Shorts Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference Service bulletin Dated SD330-28-37 June 2004. SD360-28-23 June 2004. SD360 SHERPA-28-3 June 2004. SD3 SHERPA-28-2 June 2004. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-5288 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent ignition sources inside the fuel tanks, which could lead to fire or explosion.