02-1222. 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:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies 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 AD requires you to repetitively inspect the throttle friction-shaft and replace the shaft if damaged. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. 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.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective on February 28, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of February 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom PO35 5PR; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-47-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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:

Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This 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 Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

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.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an 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 proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 7, 2001 (66 FR 56248). The NPRM proposed to repetitively inspect the throttle friction-shaft and replace the shaft if damaged.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

—Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

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

What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

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

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

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

Is There a Modification I Can Incorporate Instead of Repetively 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

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

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, under 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-01-11 Pilatus Britten-Norman LTD.: Amendment 39-12603; Docket No. 2000-CE-47-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 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 friction-shaft for damage. Replace the split pin and washer	Inspect within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after February 28, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. Accomplish the replacements prior to further flight after each inspection	In accordance with the Procedures section of BN Service Bullitin BN2/SB.272, dated July 1, 2000.
(2) If damage is found on the throttle friction-shaft, replace shaft	Before further flight after each inspection where damage is found	In accordance with the Procedures section of BN Service Bulletin BN2/SB.272, dated July 1, 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: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

(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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with BN Service Bulletin BN2/SB.272, dated July 1, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom PO35 5PR. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 2:

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

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on February 28, 2002.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 11, 2002.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.