[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4908-4910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2216]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-33-AD; Amendment 39-9909; AD 97-03-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd. BN-2, BN-
2A, and BN-2B 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 certain Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series 
airplanes that do not have generator terminal diodes installed with 
Modification NB/M/1571. This action requires removing the terminal 
diodes that have a 70 amp direct current (DC) Generation System, which 
is referred to as Modification NB/M/1148, and installing Modification 
NB/M/1571, which consists of new terminal diodes with a higher amp 
rating. Reports from operators that one or both diodes were failing 
prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent loss of electrical power to the navigation, communications, and 
light systems, which could impair the pilot's ability to maintain 
control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 23, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 23, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Pilatus Britten-Norman, Ltd., Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United 
Kingdom, PO35 5PR. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-33-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, 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: Mr. Tom Rodriguez, Program Manager, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Division, FAA, Europe, Africa and the 
Middle

[[Page 4909]]

East Office, c/o American Embassy, b-1000, Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 508.2715, facsimile (322) 230.6899 or Mr. S. M. Nagarajan, 
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, Suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932, facsimile (816) 
426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of this AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Pilatus Britten-
Norman BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes that do not have 
generator terminal diodes with Modification NB/M/1571 installed was 
published in the Federal Register on August 22, 1996 (61 FR 43319). The 
action proposed to require removing the diodes (type 10B1 or 10D1) 
installed on the terminals of the STBD (RIGHT) GEN and PORT (LEFT) GEN 
switches (SW2 and SW3), and installing new approved diodes that are 
type 60S6. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance 
with Pilatus Britten-Norman Aircraft Manufacturers Service Bulletin 
(SB) BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2, dated January 17, 1996.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that one airplane in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately one workhour per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $40 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on the U.S. 
operator is estimated to be $100. The FAA has no way of determining 
whether the owner/operator of this airplane has accomplished this 
action.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-03-03  Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd.: Amendment 39-9909; Docket No. 
96-CE-33-AD.

    Applicability: BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes (all 
serial numbers) that do not have Modification NB/M/1571 installed, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: 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 (d) 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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent loss of electrical power to the navigation, 
communications and light systems, which could impair the pilot's 
ability to maintain control of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Remove the diodes (quantity 2, part number (P/N) 340502014, 
type 10B1 or 10D1) installed on the terminals of the STBD (RIGHT) 
GEN and PORT (LEFT) GEN switches (SW2 and SW3), and install new 
approved diodes (quantity 2, P/N NB-81-5873, type 60S6) in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section in Pilatus 
Britten-Norman Aircraft Manufacturers Service Bulletin (SB) BN- 2/
SB.228, Issue 2, dated January 17, 1996.
    (b) Accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD is considered 
accomplishment of Modification NB/M/1571.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division, 
FAA, Europe, Africa and the Middle East Office, c/o American 
Embassy, b-1000, Brussels, Belgium or the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106. 
The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division or the Small 
Airplane Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Division or the 
Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman Aircraft Manufacturers 
Service Bulletin BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2, dated January 17, 1996. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Pilatus Britten-Norman, Ltd., 
Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, PO35 5PR . Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
Suite 700, Washington, DC.

    (f) This amendment (39-9909) becomes effective on March 23, 
1997.


[[Page 4910]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 22, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2216 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P