Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN2T and BN2T-4R Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75812-75814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30686]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-12974; AD 2002-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN2T and 
BN2T-4R 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) 
BN2T and BN2T-4R series airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively 
inspect the left and right engine-mounting frame for cracks and replace 
the frame if cracks are found. This AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to detect and correct cracks in the left and right engine-
mounting frame, which could lead to engine mount failure. Such failure 
could result in separation of the engine from the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
January 27, 2003.

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 873246. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-34-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 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, 
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Pilatus 
Britten-Norman BN2T and BN2T-4R Series airplanes. The CAA reports that 
the manufacturer has reported six occurrences of cracks in the left and 
right turbine engine-mounting frame detected during routine inspections 
by operators of aircraft used on parachute drop or pilot training 
operations.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? These cracks 
could lead to engine mount failure with consequent separation of the 
engine from the airplane.
    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 BN2T and 
BN2T-4R series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 17, 
2002 (67 FR 58544). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively 
inspect the left and right engine-mounting frame for cracks and replace 
the frame if cracks are found.
    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.

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 6 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 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours x $60 per hour = $240..  No cost for parts.....            $240   6 x $240 = $1,440.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 workhours x $60 per hour = $1,800            $5,400          $7,200.
 per frame............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 75813]]

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.

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:

2002-24-09 Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited: Amendment 39-12974; 
Docket No. 2002-CE-34-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models BN2T, and BN2T-4R airplanes, all serial 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 cracks in the left and 
right engine-mounting frame, which could lead to engine mount 
failure. Such failure could result in separation of the engine from 
the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                   Compliance           Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the left and right  Initially upon          In accordance
 turbine engine-mounting         accumulating 1,000      with Britten-
 frame, part number (P/N) NB-    hours time-in-service   Norman Service
 20-6853, or FAA-approved        (TIS) on the engine     Bulletin No. SB
 equivalent part number, for     mounting frame or       282, Issue 2,
 cracks.                         within the next 50      dated June 1,
                                 hours TIS after         2002.
                                 January 27, 2003 (the
                                 effective date of
                                 this AD), whichever
                                 occurs later. If no
                                 cracks are found on
                                 the initial
                                 inspection,
                                 repetitively inspect
                                 every 100 hours TIS.
(2) If cracks are found during  Prior to further        In accordance
 any inspection required in      flight after the        with Britten-
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD,    inspection in which     Norman Service
 replace the mounting frame      any crack and/or        Bulletin No. SB
 with a new frame, P/N NB-20-    damage is found.        282, Issue 2,
 6853, or FAA-approved           After installing the    dated June 1,
 equivalent part number.         new frame, inspect as   2002
                                 required in paragraph
                                 (d)(1) of this AD..
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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, Standards Office Manager.

    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 Britten-Norman Service Bulletin No. SB 282, Issue 2, dated June 
1, 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies from Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, 
Isle of Wight, United Kingdom PO35 5PR; telephone: +44 (0) 1983 
872511; facsimile: +44 (0) 1983 873246. You may view 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 British AD 002-
05-2002, not dated.


    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on January 27, 2003.


[[Page 75814]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 26, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-30686 Filed 12-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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