[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58687-58689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29192]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited (Pilatus 
Britten-Norman) BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect 
certain oleo attachment brackets for cracks and replace any cracked 
bracket found during any inspection. 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 cracked oleo 
attachment brackets. Such a condition could cause the attachment 
bracket to fail, which could result in detachment of the main landing 
gear.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before December 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-39-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 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. 2001-CE-39-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all BN-2, 
BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. The United 
Kingdom CAA reports five occurrences of failure of the oleo attachment 
bracket, part number (P/N) NB-40-0075. This bracket is the main 
attachment point for the main landing gear. The CAA determined that the 
cause for failure of these brackets is the current design of the part.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Cracked oleo attachment brackets, if not detected and corrected, could 
fail and detach from the main landing gear.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus 
Britten-Norman has issued B-N Service Bulletin Number SB 273, Issue 2, 
dated January 12, 2000.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Repetitively inspecting the oleo attachment brackets, P/N NB-40-0075, 
for cracks; and
--Replacing any cracked attachment bracket found during any inspection.
    What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued CAA AD Number 005-09-2000, not dated, 
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 United 
Kingdom 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:

[[Page 58688]]

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on all Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and 
BN2A MK. III series airplanes of the same type design that are on the 
U.S. registry;
--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 repetitively inspect the oleo attachment brackets, P/N NB-40-
0075, for cracks and replace any cracked bracket found during any 
inspection.
    Are there differences between this proposed AD, the service 
information, and the CAA AD? The service information requires 
repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or 1,200 landings, whichever occurs first. This proposed 
AD and the CAA AD require repetitive inspections at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS or 200 landings, whichever occurs first, in order 
to ensure that the unsafe condition specified in this proposed AD does 
not go undetected for a long period of time.
    Is there a modification I can incorporate instead of repetitively 
inspecting the oleo attachment brackets? 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, 
FAA will continue to work with Pilatus Britten-Norman.
    The manufacturer is now in the process of changing the design of 
the oleo attachment bracket, P/N NB-40-0075. The design change will 
eliminate the need for the repetitive inspection. The newly designed 
part will be introduced by a new modification that will be included as 
part of Issue 3 of Service Bulletin SB 273.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 126 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 inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                               Parts cost                airplane     U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $180...........  No cost for parts...............           $180.  $180  x  126 =
                                                                                                        $22,680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 repair/replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost       airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $720....           $370.   $720 + $370 =
                                                                 $1,090.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, 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. 2001-CE-39-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models 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 constructor 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 cracked oleo attachment 
brackets. Such a condition could cause the attachment bracket to 
fail, which could result in detachment of the main landing gear.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 58689]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect, visually or using    Within the next 25  In accordance with
 10 x  magnifying glass, the       hours time-in-      B-N Service
 oleo attachment brackets, part    service (TIS) or    Bulletin Number
 number (P/N) NB-40-0075, for      50 landings,        SB 273, Issue 2,
 cracks.                           whichever occurs    dated January 12,
                                   first, after the    200.
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD, and
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 100 hours
                                   TIS or 2000
                                   landings,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) If cracks are found during    Prior to further    In accordance with
 any inspection required by this   flight after the    B-N Service
 AD, replace the bracket with      inspection(s)       Bulletin Number
 another oleo attachment           required in         SB 273, Issue 2,
 bracket, P/N NB-40-0075.          paragraph (d)(1)    dated January 12,
                                   of this AD in       2000, and the
                                   which the crack     applicable
                                   is found.           maintenance
                                   Repetitively        manual.
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 100 hours
                                   TIS or 200
                                   landings,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Do not install any oleo       As of the           Not applicable.
 attachment bracket, P/N NB-40-    effective date of
 0075 (or FAA-approved             this AD..
 equivalent part number), unless
 it has been inspected as
 required in paragraph (d)(1) of
 this AD and determined to be
 airworthy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 get copies of the documents 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 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 United Kingdom 
CAA AD 005-09-2000, not dated.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 14, 2001.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29192 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U