[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7696-7697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3634]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-12-AD; Amendment 39-10329; AD 98-04-17]
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 supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-03-
03, which applies to certain Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd. (Pilatus) BN-
2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes that do not have Modification NB/
M/1571 generator terminal diodes installed. AD 97-03-03 currently
requires the installation of higher capacity diodes on the generator
switches regardless of whether the airplane is equipped with the
original 50 amp DC generating system or a Modification NB/M/1148, which
is a 70 amp system. This action retains the actions of AD 97-03-03, but
modifies the applicability section to reflect that this AD does not
apply to Pilatus BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes with 50 amp DC
generation systems installed. This AD is the result of reports that the
applicability section of AD 97-03-03 is incorrect. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent a loss of electrical power
to the navigation, communications, and lighting systems, which could
impair the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective March 23, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of Pilatus Britten-Norman Aircraft
Manufacturers Service Bulletin (SB) BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2, dated January
17, 1996, as listed in the regulations was previously approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of March 23, 1997 (62 FR 4909,
February 3, 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 Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-12-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. Roger P. Chudy, 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 certain Pilatus BN-2,
BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes equipped with Pilatus Modification
NB/M/1148 (a 70 amp generating system), but without generator terminal
diodes installed in accordance with Modification NB/M/1571, was
published in the Federal Register on July 7, 1997, (62 FR 36240). The
action proposed to supersede AD 97-03-03, which requires installing
type 60S6 diodes on the terminals of the STBD (RIGHT) GEN and PORT
(LEFT) GEN switches (SW2 and SW3), regardless of the generating system
being used on the airplane. This superseding action retains the same
action as AD 97-03-03, but changes the applicability section so that it
applies only to the Pilatus BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B airplanes that have
Modification NB/M/1148 (70 amp DC generation system) incorporated, and
do not have Pilatus Modification NB/M/1571 (Introduction of Increased
Rated Diode--70 amp DC generation system) incorporated. This action
would not apply to certain Pilatus BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series
airplanes with a 50 amp DC generation system installed.
Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance with Pilatus
Britten-Norman Ltd. Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2, dated
January 17, 1996.
The FAA's Determination
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.
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.
[[Page 7697]]
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 116 airplanes currently on the U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 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
U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,600 for the fleet or $100 per
airplane. For purposes of estimating the cost of this AD, the FAA is
presuming that none of the owners/operators have accomplished any of
the actions on any of the affected airplanes.
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing airworthiness directive
(AD) 97-03-03, Amendment No. 39-9909, and by adding a new AD to read as
follows:
98-04-17-Pilatus Britten-Norman LTD.: Amendment No. 39-10329; Docket
No. 97-CE-12-AD; Supersedes AD 97-03-03, Amendment 39-9909.
Applicability: BN-2, BN-2A, and BN-2B series airplanes (all
serial numbers), certificated in any category, that have Pilatus
Britten-Norman (Pilatus) Modification NB/M/1148 (70 amp DC
Generation System) incorporated, and do not have Pilatus
Modification NB/M/1571 (Introduction of Increased Rated Diode-70 amp
DC Generation System) incorporated.
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 lighting 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
incorporation 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 the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by 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, Small Airplane
Directorate. Alternative methods of compliance previously approved
for AD 97-03-03 are considered approved for this AD.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) The removal and installation required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman Aircraft
Manufacturers Service Bulletin (SB) BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2, dated
January 17, 1996.
(1) This incorporation by reference of Pilatus Britten-Norman
Aircraft Manufacturers Service Bulletin (SB) BN-2/SB.228, Issue 2,
dated January 17, 1996 was approved previously by the Director of
the Federal Register as of March 23, 1997 (62 FR 4909, February 3,
1997).
(2) 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 Regional
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 supersedes AD 97-03-03, Amendment 39-9909.
(g) This Amendment (39-10329) becomes effective on March 23,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3634 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
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