AD 2002-03-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited (Pilatus Britten-Norman) BN-2, BN-2A,BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. This AD requires you to replace the emergency exit window sealant. 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 correct the problems with emergency exit windows failing to open. Such failure could lead to the inability to exit the airplane in an emergency.

Final rule.

2002-03-04 Pilatus Britten Norman Limited: Amendment 39-12645; Docket No. 2001-CE-31-AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects all serial numbers of 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 that are certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the failure of emergency exit windows to open.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions
Compliance
Procedures
Replace emergency exit window sealant.
Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after March29, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), unless already performed.
In accordance with the Action section of B-N Service Bulletin Number SB 277, Issue 1, dated 03/08/2001.

(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, Standards Office, 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, Standards Office, 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 4(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) Are any service bulletinsincorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with B-N Service Bulletin Number SB 277, Issue 1, dated 03/08/2001. 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 001-08-2001, dated August 3, 2001.

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on March 29, 2002.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

The Civil Aviation 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, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. The CAA reports an incident where an emergency exit window could not be opened. The CAA determined that the emergency exit windows were not properly installed with the correct sealant.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took no Action?

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the inability to exit the airplane in an emergency.

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 BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T, and BN2A MK. III series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 27, 2001 (66 FR 59178). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace the emergency exit window sealant.

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 necessary replacement:

Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
Total cost on U.S. operators
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120
$40
$160
118 x $160 = $18,880.

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 regulatoryaction" 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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