Document ID: FAA-2015-4803-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: B-N Group Ltd. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-10-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66482-66485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27571]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4803; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-034-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).

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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, and BN2A MK. III-3 
airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-03-18. 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 damage of the cable sliding end assembly and installation 
of the incorrect end fitting on engine control cable assemblies. 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 December 14, 
2015.

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,

[[Page 66483]]

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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2015-4803.

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-
4803; 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-2015-4803; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-034-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 February 6, 2014, we issued AD 2014-03-18, Amendment 39-17755 
(79 FR 10340; February 25, 2014). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on 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, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country.
    Since we issued AD 2014-03-18, it was found that the service 
information did not correctly identify the parts to be inspected on the 
Trislander (BN2A MK III) series airplanes. The service information has 
been revised to correctly identify the parts to be inspected on those 
airplanes.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2015-0184, dated September 1, 2015 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited was made aware of two 
occurrences where a failure of engine control cable assemblies has 
caused engine control difficulties. In both reported cases, the 
cable sliding end assemblies were in poor condition and in both 
cases, an incorrect end-fitting was installed, which may have 
contributed to the failures.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced engine control, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Britten-Norman 
Aircraft issued Service Bulletin (SB) 334 to provide inspection 
instructions, and EASA issued AD 2013-0215 to require a one-time 
inspection and functional test of the engine control cables and, 
depending on findings, replacement of the cables.
    Subsequently, as it was found that BN2 ``Islander'' aeroplanes 
were mistakenly omitted from the AD applicability, EASA issued AD 
2013-0263, retaining the requirements of EASA AD 2013-0215, which 
was superseded, and extending the applicability to BN2 aeroplanes.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4803.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 
334, Issue 1, dated August 30, 2013, and Britten-Norman Aircraft 
Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 2, dated July 17, 2015. The 
service information describes procedures for inspection and replacement 
if necessary of the engine control cable assemblies. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 96 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 $8,160 or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $6,000), for a cost 
of $6,850 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

[[Page 66484]]

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 39-17755 (79 FR 
10340; February 25, 2014), and adding the following new AD:

B-N Group Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2015-4803; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-034-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 14, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-03-18, Amendment 39-17755 (79 FR 
10340; February 25, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 76: Engine 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by possible damage of the cable sliding end 
assembly and installation of the incorrect end fitting on engine 
control cable assemblies. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect 
and correct damage of the cable sliding end assembly (cracking, 
distortion, corrosion) and incorrect end fittings on the engine 
control assemblies, which could lead to reduced engine control with 
consequent loss of control, and to incorporate revised service 
information with updated information on applicability and on the 
identity of parts to be inspected on some airplanes.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(6) of this AD:
    (1) For all airplanes except the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, 
BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3: Within the next 6 months after 
April 1, 2014 (the effective date retained from AD 2014-03-18), do a 
one-time inspection of the engine control cable assemblies, part 
number (P/N) 137835, P/N 172449-1, P/N 172450, and P/N 172451, and 
surrounding areas for damage (cracking, distortion, corrosion); for 
the correct cable end-fitting; and to assure the wire locking is 
intact following Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin 
No. SB 334, Issue 1, dated August 30, 2013, or Britten-Norman 
Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 2, dated July 
17, 2015.
    (2) For the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and 
BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes: Within the next 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, do a one-time inspection of the engine 
control cable assemblies, P/N 80468 and P/N NB-45-2883, and 
surrounding areas for damage (cracking, distortion, corrosion); for 
the correct cable end-fitting; and to assure the wire locking is 
intact following Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin 
No. SB 334, Issue 2, dated July 17, 2015.
    (3) For all airplanes except the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, 
BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3: If no discrepancies are found 
during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, 
before further flight, inspect the control linkages for proper 
adjustment and make any necessary changes following Britten-Norman 
Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 1, dated August 
30, 2013, or Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 
334, Issue 2, dated July 17, 2015.
    (4) For the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and 
BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes: If no discrepancies are found during the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further 
flight, inspect the control linkages for proper adjustment and make 
any necessary changes following Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited 
Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 2, dated July 17, 2015.
    (5) For all airplanes except the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, 
BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3: If any discrepancies are found 
during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and/or 
the control linkages cannot be properly adjusted as specified in 
paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
engine control cable assembly with a serviceable unit following 
Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 
1, dated August 30, 2013, or Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service 
Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 2, dated July 17, 2015.
    (6) For the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and 
BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes: If any discrepancies are found during the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD and/or the 
control linkages cannot be properly adjusted as specified in 
paragraph (f)(4) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
engine control cable assembly with a serviceable unit following 
Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. SB 334, Issue 
2, dated July 17, 2015.
    (7) For all airplanes except the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, 
BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3: After April 1, 2014 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2014-03-18), do not install on any 
airplane engine control cable assemblies, P/N 137835, P/N 172449-1, 
P/N 172450, and P/N 172451, unless they are new or have been 
inspected as required in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(3) of this AD and 
found free of any discrepancies and have proper adjustment.
    (8) For the Trislander Models BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and 
BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes: After the effective date of this AD, do 
not install on any airplane engine control cable assemblies P/N 
80468 and/or P/N NB-45-2883, unless they are new or have been 
inspected as required in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(4) of this AD and 
found free of any discrepancies and have proper adjustment.

(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,

[[Page 66485]]

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.: 
2015-0184, dated September 1, 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-2015-4803. 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 October 22, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2015-27571 Filed 10-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P