[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59378-59382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-38-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited BN-2, 
BN-2A, BN-2B, and BN-2T 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 certain Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited 
(Pilatus Britten-Norman) BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, and BN-2T series 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect 
the inboard brackets of the elevator outboard hinge for loose rivets, 
structural damage, or cracks and replace any suspect bracket. The 
proposed AD would also require you to replace the hinge bracket at a 
certain time period if no discrepancies are found. This replacement 
includes modifying this area and installing modified brackets. This 
replacement allows you to increase the time period between inspections 
(reduce the number of repetitive inspections). 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

[[Page 59379]]

intended to detect and correct inboard brackets of the elevator 
outboard hinge with loose rivets, structural damage, or cracks. Such 
conditions could cause the outboard elevator to become loose with a 
consequent reduction in elevator and airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before January 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-38-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-38-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 United Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, and BN-2T series airplanes. 
The United Kingdom CAA reports several instances where the inboard 
brackets of the elevator outboard hinge had loose rivets, structural 
damage, or cracks.
    These inboard brackets of the elevator outboard hinge incorporate 
part number NB-31-0077.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Loose rivets, structural damage, or cracks in the inboard brackets 
of the elevator outboard hinge, if not detected and corrected, could 
cause the outboard elevator to become loose with a consequent reduction 
in elevator and airplane control.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Pilatus Britten-Norman has issued BN Bulletin Number BN2/SB.259, 
Issue 1, dated July 1, 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:
    --Part 1: Repetitively inspecting the inboard brackets of the 
elevator outboard hinge for loose rivets, structural damage, or cracks; 
and
    --Part 2: Replacing the hinge bracket each time loose rivets, 
structural damage, or cracks are found during an inspection. This 
replacement includes modifying this area and installing modified 
brackets, part number NB-31-0901.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
CAA AD Number 002-07-2000, 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 United Kingdom 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 Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, and BN-2T series 
(all models as specified in the actual AD) 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;
    --The replacement/modification specified in the service bulletin 
should be incorporated to increase the time period between inspections 
(reduce the number of repetitive inspections); and
    --AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    The proposed AD would also require you to replace the hinge bracket 
at a certain time period if no discrepancies are found. This 
replacement includes modifying this area and installing modified 
brackets. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect 
the inboard brackets of the elevator outboard hinge for loose rivets, 
structural damage, or cracks and replace any suspect bracket. The 
proposed AD would also require you to replace the hinge bracket at a 
certain time period if no discrepancies are found. This replacement 
includes modifying this area and installing modified brackets, part 
number NB-31-0901. This replacement allows you to increase the time 
period between inspections (reduce the number of repetitive 
inspections).

[[Page 59380]]

Are There Differences Between This Proposed AD, the Service 
Information, and the CAA AD?

    This proposed AD would require you to replace/modify the hinge 
bracket at a certain time period if no discrepancies are found to 
increase the time period between inspections (reduce the number of 
repetitive inspections). BN Bulletin Number BN2/SB 259 and CAA AD 
Number 002-07-2000 do not specify this provision; they both specify 
this replacement/modification only if a suspect bracket is found during 
an inspection. This provision of incorporating the replacement/
modification regardless of whether a suspect bracket is found is 
consistent with FAA's aging commuter aircraft policy, which briefly 
states that, when a modification exists that could eliminate or reduce 
the number of required critical inspections, the modification should be 
incorporated. This policy is based on our determination that reliance 
on critical repetitive inspections on airplanes utilized in commuter 
service carries an unnecessary safety risk when a design change exists 
that could eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of 
those critical inspections.
    The alternative to incorporating this replacement/modification 
would be to repetitively inspect this area every 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) for the life of the airplane instead of every 1,000 hours 
TIS.

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 each proposed 
inspection:

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            Labor cost                   Parts cost       Total cost per airplane   Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour at $60 per hour = $60..  No parts necessary    $60 per air plane......  $7,080
                                     to accomplish the
                                     inspection.
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
replacement/modification:

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            Labor cost                   Parts cost       Total cost per airplane   Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours at $60 per hour =      $240 per airplane...  $840 per airplane......  $99,120.
 $600.
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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-38-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, and BN-2T-4R airplanes, all constructor numbers, 
that are certificated in any category and do not have one of the 
following incorporated:
    (1) BN Modification NB-M-1695. This modification is incorporated 
at production and includes different designs in the area of the 
inboard brackets of the elevator outboard hinge. This modification 
is not available as a field installation. The maintenance manual for 
these production airplanes specifies 1,000-hour time-in-service 
(TIS) interval repetitive inspections. Owners/operators of airplanes 
with this production modification should be accomplishing these 
inspections or an FAA-approved equivalent; or
    (2) Reinforcing plates installed at manufacture. These plates 
were installed on Constructor Number C2298 of the Model BN-2B 
airplanes.
    (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 inboard brackets of the 
elevator outboard hinge with loose rivets, structural damage, or 
cracks. Such conditions could cause the outboard elevator to become 
loose with a consequent reduction in elevator and airplane control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 59381]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For airplanes that do not     Initially inspect   In accordance with
 have modified inboard brackets    within the next     BN Bulletin
 of the elevator outboard hinge    100 hours time-in-  Number BN2/
 installed (part number NB-31-     service (TIS)       SB.259, Issue 1,
 0901 installed in accordance      after the           dated July 1,
 with Part 2 of the service        effective date of   2000.
 bulletin), accomplish the         this AD, and
 following:                        thereafter at
(i) Repetitively inspect the       intervals not to
 inboard brackets of the           exceed 100 hours
 elevator outboard hinge for       TIS until the
 loose rivets, structural          replacement/
 damage, or cracks;.               modification
(ii) Replace the inboard           required by
 brackets of the elevator          paragraph
 outboard hinge, which includes    (d)(1)(ii) of
 modifying this area and           this AD is
 installing modified brackets,     accomplished. Do
 part number NB-31-0901; and.      the replacement
(iii) Comply with paragraphs       initially within
 (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of       1,000 hours TIS
 this AD.                          after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD or prior
                                   to further flight
                                   when any loose
                                   rivet, structural
                                   damage, or crack
                                   is found,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first; and
                                   thereafter prior
                                   to further flight
                                   after any loose
                                   rivet, structural
                                   damage, or crack
                                   is found.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For airplanes that have       Inspect within      In accordance with
 modified inboard brackets of      1,000 hours TIS     BN Bulletin
 the elevator outboard hinge       after               Number BN2/
 installed (part number NB-31-     incorporating the   SB.259, Issue 1,
 0901 in accordance with Part 2    replacement/        dated July 1,
 of the service bulletin),         modification or     2000.
 accomplish the following:         within the 100
(i) Repetitively inspect the       hours TIS after
 inboard brackets of the           the effective
 elevator outboard hinge for       date of this AD,
 loose rivet, structural damage,   whichever occurs
 or cracks; and.                   later, and
(ii) Replace the inboard           thereafter at
 brackets of the elevator          intervals not to
 outboard hinge, which includes    exceed 1,000
 modifying this area and           hours TIS.
 installing modified brackets,     Accomplish the
 part number NB-31-0901.           replacement/
                                   modification
                                   prior to further
                                   flight when any
                                   loose rivet,
                                   structural
                                   damage, or crack
                                   is found during
                                   any inspection
                                   required by this
                                   AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) This AD does not apply to     Not applicable      Not applicable.
 airplanes with one of the
 following incorporated:
(i) BN Modification NB-M-1695.
 This modification is
 incorporated at production and
 includes different designs in
 the area of the inboard
 brackets of the elevator
 outboard hinge. This
 modification is not available
 as a field installation. The
 maintenance manual for these
 production airplanes specifies
 1,000-hour TIS interval
 repetitive inspections. Owners/
 operators of airplanes with
 this production modification
 should be accomplishing these
 inspections or an FAA-approved
 equivalent; or.
(ii) Reinforcing plates
 installed at manufacture. These
 plates were installed on
 Constructor Number C2298 of the
 Model BN-2B airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 CAA AD Number 
002-07-2000, not dated.



[[Page 59382]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2001.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29596 Filed 11-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U