[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]
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