Document ID: FAA-2015-7777-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: B-N Group Ltd. Airplanes,
Posted Date: 2015-12-24T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80291-80293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31850]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 80291]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7777; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-036-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; B-N Group Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for B-N 
Group Ltd. 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, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, BN2A MK. III-3 BN2A, 
BN2B, and BN2A MKIII (all models on TCDS A17EU and A29EU) airplanes 
that would supersede AD 2007-06-06. This proposed AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as cracks in the inner shell of certain pitot/static pressure 
heads. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited, Commodore House, Mountbatten Business 
Centre, Millbrook Road East, Southampton SO15 1HY, United Kingdom; 
telephone: +44 20 3371 4000; fax: +44 20 3371 4001; email: 
info@bnaircraft.com; Internet: http://www.britten-norman.com/customer-support/. You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
7777; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4159; fax: (816) 329-3047; email: 
raymond.johnston@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-7777; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-036-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 6, 2007, we issued AD 2007-06-06, Amendment 39-14987 (72 
FR 12557; March 16, 2007). That AD required actions intended to address 
an unsafe condition on B-N Group Ltd. 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, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-
2, BN2A MK. III-3 BN2A, BN2B, and BN2A MKIII (all models on TCDS A17EU 
and A29EU) airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country.
    Since we issued AD 2007-06-06, there are reports of premature 
failures of the affected part number (P/N) DU130-24 pitot-static 
probes.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2015-0199, dated October 7, 2015 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct the above-referenced unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    In 2005, occurrences were reported of finding cracks in the 
inner shell of certain pitot/static pressure heads, Part Number (P/
N) DU130-24.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
incorrect readings on the pressure instrumentation, e.g. altimeters, 
vertical speed indicators (rate-of-climb) and airspeed indicators, 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, B-N Group issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) 310 to provide inspection and test 
instructions. Consequently, CAA UK issued AD G-2005-0034 (EASA 
approval 2005-6447) to require repetitive inspections and leak tests 
and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s).
    Subsequently, B-N Group published SB 310 issue 2, prompting EASA 
to issue AD

[[Page 80292]]

2006-0143 making reference to SB 310 at issue 2, while the 
publication of BNA SB 310 issue 3 prompted EASA AD 2006-0143R1, 
introducing BNA modification (mod) NB-M-1728 (new pitot/static 
pressure head not affected by the AD requirements) as optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections and leak tests.
    Since that AD was issued, operators have reported a number of 
premature failures of the affected P/N DU130-24 pitot-static probes.
    Prompted by these reports, BNA issued SB 310 issue 4 to reduce 
the interval for the inspections and leak tests.
    For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirements 
of EASA AD 2006-0143R1, which is superseded, but requires those 
actions at reduced intervals.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-7777.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    B-N Group Ltd. has issued Britten-Norman Service Bulletin Number SB 
310, Issue 4, dated September 25, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspections, and if necessary, replacement of 
the pitot/static pressure head. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The FAA has reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, 
in general, agree with their substance. The proposed AD does differ 
from the MCAI in that it does not reference BNA Mod NB-M-1728 as an 
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections and leak 
tests. The FAA is unable to make these instructions reasonably 
available to interested parties so therefore we are unable to include 
this in the AD. After issuance of the final AD, the FAA will consider 
this modification as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the 
AD provided it is submitted following the instructions in the AD and 14 
CFR 39.19.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 93 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $7,905, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 2 work-hours and require parts costing $10,000, for a cost 
of $10,170 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-14987 (72 FR 
12557; March 16, 2007) and adding the following new AD:

B-N Group Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2015-7777; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-036-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-06-06 (72 FR 12557; March 16, 2007).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to B-N Group Ltd. 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, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-
2, BN2A MK. III-3 BN2A, BN2B, and BN2A MKIII, BN2A, BN2B, and BN2A 
MKIII (all models on TCDS A17EU and A29EU) airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by cracks in the inner shell of certain 
pitot/static pressure heads. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
inspect the inner shell of certain pitot/static pressure heads for 
cracks, and replace if necessary.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD:

[[Page 80293]]

    (1) For airplanes equipped with pitot/static pressure head part 
number (P/N) DU130-24: Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this AD and repetitively thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, inspect the pitot/static 
pressure head for cracks and/or separation and perform a leak test 
following the procedures in the action section of Britten-Norman 
Service Bulleting SB 310, Issue 4, dated September 25, 2015.
    (2) For airplanes equipped with pitot/static pressure head part 
number (P/N) DU130-24: If, during an inspection or test required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD discrepancies are found, before further 
flight, replace the pitot/static pressure head with an airworthy 
part.
    (3) For airplanes equipped with pitot/static pressure head part 
number (P/N) DU130-24: Corrections performed on airplanes as 
required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD do not constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive actions required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.
    (4) For airplanes not equipped with a pitot/static pressure head 
P/N DU130-24 on the effective date of this AD: After the effective 
date of this AD, do not install a pitot/static pressure head P/N 
DU130-24.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4159; fax: (816) 329-3047; 
email: raymond.johnston@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0199, dated October 7, 2015, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-7777. For service 
information related to this AD, contact Britten-Norman Aircraft 
Limited, Commodore House, Mountbatten Business Centre, Millbrook 
Road East, Southampton SO15 1HY, United Kingdom; telephone: +44 20 
3371 4000; fax: +44 20 3371 4001; email: info@bnaircraft.com; 
Internet: http://www.britten-norman.com/customer-support/. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 11, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31850 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am]
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