2000-02-16: Wing Attachment Bushes

2000-02-16 SHORT BROTHERS AND HARLAND LTD.: Amendment 39-11534; Docket No. 97-CE-99-AD. (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?: Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (b) Who must comply with this AD?: Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register. (c) What problem does this AD address?: These actions are necessary to detect and correct migration of the wing attachment bushes in the fuselage front and rear spar frames. If we did not take action, this could result in structural damage to the wing spar/fuselage fitting with possible loss of control of the airplane. (d) What must I do to address this problem?: To address this problem, you must accomplish the following, as applicable: (1) Initial Requirements (i) What actions are required: Inspect the wing attachment bushes in the fuselage front and rear spar frames for migration. (ii) When isthe action required?: Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD. (2) Repetitive Requirements (i) What if no gaps are found at the bush areas during any inspection required by this AD: Repeat the inspection specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS. (ii) What if any gap is found at the bush area that is less than 0.125 inches in length during any inspection required by this AD: Repeat the inspection specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS provided the gaps do not increase to 0.125 inches or more in length. If the gap has not increased during 3 additional inspections and continue to not increase, then the inspection intervals may be increased to 500 hours TIS. (iii) What if any gap is found at the bush areas that is 0.125 inches or more in length during any inspection required by this AD: Prior to further flight, replace the bushes with parts specified in the service information identified in this AD. Inspect the replacement bushes at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this AD. (e) What procedures must be used to accomplish all actions of this AD?: Shorts Service Bulletin No. 53-68, which incorporates the following pages: Pages Revision Level Date 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 Original Issue January 10, 1996 12 Revision No: 1 May 30, 1996 3 Revision No: 2 September 1998 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 15, and 16 Revision No: 3 May 1999 (f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way?: Yes. (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if: (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and (ii) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. (2) This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 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 (f)(1) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it. (g) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance?: Contact the Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: (816) 329-4090. (h) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD?: The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. (i) Who should I contact if I have questions regarding the service information?: Direct all questions or technical information related to Shorts Service Bulletin 53-68, to Short Brothers plc, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland. You may examine this service information at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (j) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference?: Yes. You must accomplish the actions required by this AD in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin 53-68, which incorporates the followingpages: Pages Revision Level Date 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 Original Issue January 10, 1996 12 Revision No: 1 May 30, 1996 3 Revision No: 2 September 1998 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 15, and 16. Revision No: 3 May 1999 The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Short Brothers plc, P.O. Box 241, Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9DZ, Northern Ireland. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. (k) Has the airworthiness authority for the State of Design addressed this action?: Yes. The subject of this AD is addressed in British Airworthiness Directive 009-01-96, not dated. (l) When does this amendment become effective?: This amendment becomes effective on March 20, 2000.