Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6385-6387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-39-AD; Amendment 39-12639; AD 2002-02-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2, 
BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited (Pilatus Britten-Norman) 
BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. This AD 
requires you to repetitively inspect certain oleo attachment brackets 
for cracks and replace any cracked bracket found during any inspection. 
In working with the United Kingdom, we have determined that the bracket 
may, as an option, be replaced with a newly designed steel bracket, 
increasing the length of time between the repetitive inspections. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked 
oleo attachment brackets. Such a condition could cause the attachment 
bracket to fail, which could result in detachment of the main landing 
gear.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 25, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of March 
25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United 
Kingdom PO35 5PR; telephone: +44 (0) 1983 872511; facsimile: +44 (0) 
1983 873. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-39-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the

[[Page 6386]]

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified FAA that an unsafe condition 
may exist on all BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series 
airplanes. The United Kingdom CAA reports five occurrences of failure 
of the oleo attachment bracket, part number (P/N) NB-40-0075. This 
bracket is the main attachment point for the main landing gear. The CAA 
determined that the cause for failure of these brackets is the current 
design of P/N NB-40-0075.

What Is the Potential Impact If FAA Took No Action?

    Cracked oleo attachment brackets, if not detected and corrected, 
could fail and detach from the main landing gear.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all 
Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III 
series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register 
as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 23, 2001 (66 FR 
58687). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect the 
oleo attachment brackets, P/N NB-40-0075, for cracks and replace any 
cracked bracket found during any inspection. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions as specified in the NPRM would be required in 
accordance with B-N Service Bulletin Number 273, Issue 2, dated January 
12, 2000.

Is There a Modification I Can Incorporate Instead of Repetitively 
Inspecting the Oleo Attachment Brackets?

    The FAA has determined that long-term continued operational safety 
would be better assured by design changes that remove the source of the 
problem rather than by repetitive inspections or other special 
procedures.
    The manufacturer has changed the design of the oleo attachment 
bracket, P/N NB-40-0075, which is made of aluminum alloy. The newly 
designed oleo attachment bracket, P/N NB-40-0479, is made of steel. 
This design reduces the number of repetitive inspections. The newly 
designed part has been introduced in Issue 3 of B-N Service Bulletin 
Number SB 273.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.
    We did receive Issue 3 of B-N Service Bulletin Number SB 273. This 
service bulletin introduces the new design oleo attachment bracket 
described above. We have determined that the option to install this new 
design bracket should be incorporated into the AD. This installation 
will increase the time between repetitive inspection intervals (reduce 
the number of inspections).

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 126 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total cost per
             Labor cost                     Parts cost            airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $180.  No cost for parts.....            $180   $180  x  126 = $22,680
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Labor cost            Parts cost     Total cost per airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 workhours  x  $60 per hour         $370   $720 + $370 = $1,090
 = $720.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 6387]]

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-02-11  Pilatus Britten-Norman LTD.: Amendment 39-12639; Docket 
No. 2001-CE-39-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-
2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, 
BN-2B-27, BN-2T, BN-2T-4R, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A 
MK. III-3 airplanes, all constructor numbers, that are certificated 
in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked oleo attachment 
brackets. Such a condition could cause the attachment bracket to 
fail, which could result in detachment of the main landing gear.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect, visually or      Within the next 25    In accordance with B-
 using 10x magnifying glass,   hours time-in-        N Service Bulletin
 the oleo attachment           service (TIS) or 50   Number SB 273,
 brackets, part number (P/N)   landings, whichever   Issue 3 dated
 NB-40-0075, for cracks.       occurs first, after   December 5, 2001,
                               March 25, 2002 (the   and the applicable
                               effective date of     maintenance manual.
                               this AD), and
                               thereafter at
                               intervals not to
                               exceed 500 hours
                               TIS or 1200
                               landings, whichever
                               occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Inspect visually or       Within the next 4     In accordance with B-
 using 10x magnifying glass,   years after the       N Service Bulletin
 the oleo attachment           date of               Number SB 273,
 brackets, P/N NB-40-0479,     installation or the   Issue 3, dated
 for cracks.                   next time the main    December 5, 2001,
                               landing gear is       and the applicable
                               removed, whichever    maintenance manual.
                               occurs first, after
                               March 25, 2002 (the
                               effective date of
                               this AD), and
                               repetitively
                               inspect thereafter
                               every time the main
                               landing gear is
                               removed or at
                               intervals not to
                               exceed 4 years,
                               whichever occurs
                               first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) If cracks are found       Prior to further      In accordance with B-
 during any inspection         fight after the       N Service Bulletin
 required in paragraph         inspection(s)         Number SB 273,
 (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this      required in           Issue 3, dated
 AD, replace the cracked       paragraph (d)(1)      December 5, 2001,
 oleo attachment bracket       and (d)(2) of this    and the applicable
 with another oleo             AD in which the       maintenance manual.
 attachment bracket, P/N NB-   crack is found.
 40-0075 or P/N NB-40-0479.    Repetitively
                               inspect at the
                               repetitive
                               inspection
                               intervals specified
                               in paragraph (d)(1)
                               or (d)(2) of this
                               AD, whichever is
                               applicable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Do not install any oleo   As of March 25, 2002  Not applicable.
 attachment bracket, P/N NB-   (the effective date
 40-0075 or NB-40-0479 (or     of this AD.
 FAA-approved equivalent
 part number), unless it has
 been inspected as required
 in paragraph (d)(1) and
 (d)(2) of this AD and
 determined to be airworthy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) 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.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) 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.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with B-N Service Bulletin Number SB 273, Issue 3, dated December 5, 
2001. 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 Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, 
Isle of Wight, United Kingdom PO35 5PR. 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.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in United Kingdom 
CAA AD 005-09-2000, not dated.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on March 25, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 1, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2945 Filed 2-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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