[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12408-12410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4369]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-10-AD; Amendment 39-9161; AD 95-04-09]


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A, BN2B, and 
BN2T Islander Series and BN2A Mk III Trislander Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Islander and 
BN2A Mk III Trislander series airplanes that are equipped with a nose 
wheel steering disconnect system with either a Modification NB/M/503 or 
Modification NB/M/733 nose undercarriage unit. This action requires 
repetitively inspecting the nose wheel steering drive ring for cracks, 
and replacing any cracked drive ring. A report of the rudder pedals 
jamming in the central position during takeoff on one of the affected 
airplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to [[Page 12409]] prevent failure of the nose wheel steering 
system because of a cracked drive ring, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in the inability to move the rudder pedals.

DATES: Effective April 14, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 14, 1995.

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 Assistant 
Chief Counsel, 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. Delano D. Castle, Program Manager, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 513.3830, extension 2716; facsimile (322) 230.6899; or Mr. John 
P. Dow, Sr., Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane 
Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 Britten-Norman BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Islander and 
BN2A Mk III Trislander series airplanes that are equipped with a nose 
wheel steering disconnect system with either a Modification NB/M/503 or 
Modification NB/M/733 nose undercarriage unit was published in the 
Federal Register on October 25, 1994 (59 FR 53615). The action proposed 
to require repetitively inspecting the nose wheel steering drive ring 
for cracks, and replacing any cracked drive ring. The proposed 
inspection would be accomplished in accordance with Pilatus Britten-
Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.214, Issue 1, dated September 23, 
1993. The drive ring replacement, if necessary, would be accomplished 
in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    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, 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 or add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $900. This 
figure does not take into account the cost of repetitive inspections or 
the cost of replacing any cracked drive ring. The FAA has no way of 
determining how many repetitive inspections each owner/operator would 
incur over the life of the airplane or how many drive rings may be 
cracked.
    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 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

95-04-09  Pilatus Britten-Norman: Amendment 39-9161; Docket No. 94-
CE-10-AD.

    Applicability: BN2A, BN2B, and BN2T Islander and BN2A Mk III 
Trislander series airplanes, certificated in any category, that are 
equipped with a nose wheel steering disconnect system with either a 
Modification NB/M/503 or Modification NB/M/733 nose undercarriage 
unit.
    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 100 hours TIS.
    To prevent failure of the nose wheel steering system because of 
a cracked drive ring, which, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in the inability to move the rudder pedals, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Visually inspect the nose wheel steering drive ring for 
cracks in accordance with the ACTION section of Pilatus Britten-
Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.214, Issue 1, dated September 
23, 1993. Prior to further flight, replace any cracked nose wheel 
steering drive ring in accordance with the applicable maintenance 
manual.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance time that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East 
Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request 
should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Brussels ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (d) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/
SB.214, Issue 1, dated September 23, 1993. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 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 Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, [[Page 12410]] Missouri, or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-9161) becomes effective on April 14, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 1995.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4369 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
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