[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56248-56250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27653]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd. BN-2, BN-
2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, BN-2T-4, and BN2A MK. III Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd. (Pilatus 
Britten-Norman) BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, BN-2T-4, and BN2A MK. III 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively 
inspect the throttle friction-shaft; and replace the shaft if damaged. 
This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
detect and correct loosening of the throttle friction adjustment beyond 
its normal limits. Such a condition could lead to damage to the 
throttle friction-adjuster or the retaining washer and split pin. This 
could allow the throttle quadrant shaft to laterally shift and impede 
the operation of the engine controls.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before December 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-47-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed 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 also view this information at the Rules Docket at 
the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy

[[Page 56249]]

aspects of this proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the 
rule. You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing 
date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the 
Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that 
concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-47-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Civil Airworthiness 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 BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, 
BN-2T, BN-2T-4, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. The CAA reports an 
incident where the throttle friction adjuster loosened too far, causing 
the split pin and the washer on the shaft to break.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition is Not Corrected?

    The loosening of the throttle friction adjustment beyond its normal 
limits could lead to damage to the throttle friction-adjuster or the 
retaining washer and split pin. This could allow the throttle quadrant 
shaft to laterally shift and impede the operation of the engine 
controls.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Pilatus Britten-Norman has issued Service Bulletin No. BN2/SB.272, 
Issue 1, dated July 1, 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:
--repetitively inspecting the throttle friction-shaft; and
--replacing the shaft if damaged.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
British AD Number 003-07-2000, dated August 22, 2000, in order to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and 
are type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:
--the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, BN-
2T-4, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes of the same type design;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously referenced service bulletin.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 118 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total
           Labor cost              Parts     cost per    Total cost on
                                    cost     airplane    U.S. operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour  x  $60 per hour =          $1        $61  $61  x  118 =
 $60.                                                   $7,198.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total
                    Labor cost                        Parts     cost per
                                                       cost     airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 work hour  x  $60 per hour = $960..............       $230     $1,190
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is There a Modification I Can Incorporate Instead of Repetitively 
Inspecting the Throttle Friction-Shaft?

    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. With this in mind, we will continue to work with Pilatus 
Britten-Norman in collecting information and in performing fatigue 
analysis to determine whether a future design change may be necessary.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 56250]]

the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN LTD.: Docket No. 2000-CE-47-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following Model 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 serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct loosening of the throttle 
friction adjustment beyond its normal limits. Such a condition could 
lead to damage to the throttle friction-adjuster or the retaining 
washer and split pin. This could allow the throttle quadrant shaft 
to laterally shift and impede the operation of the engine controls.
    (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 throttle      Inspect within 100    In accordance with
 friction-shaft for damage.    hours time-in-        the PROCEDURES
 Replace the split pin and     service (TIS) after   section of BN
 washer.                       the effective date    Service Bulletin
                               of this AD, and       BN2/SB.272, dated
                               thereafter at         July 2000.
                               intervals not to
                               exceed 100 hours
                               TIS. Accomplish the
                               replacements prior
                               to further flight
                               after each
                               inspection.
(2) If damage is found on     Before further        In accordance with
 the throttle friction-        flight after each     the PROCEDURES
 shaft, replace the shaft.     inspection where      section of BN
                               damage is found.      Service Bulletin
                                                     BN2/SB.272, dated
                                                     July 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United 
Kingdom PO35 5PR. You may examine these documents at FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 003-
07-2000, dated August 22, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 26, 2001.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-27653 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
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