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 and BN2A Mk. III series airplanes. The CAA reports that, during maintenance on one of the affected airplanes, an undersized universal joint was found. This installation of undersized universal joints is the result of a quality control problem.
What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?
This condition, if not corrected, could cause failure of the pilot's and/or co-pilot's control column. Such failure could result in loss of control of the airplane.
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 and BN2A Mk. III series airplanes. This proposalwas published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 18, 2002 (67 FR 58737). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the universal joints on the pilot's and co-pilot's control column to determine the diameter of the shaft and replace any universal joint that is the wrong size.
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.
What Are the Differences Between This AD, the Service Information, and the CAA AD?
The CAA AD and the service information requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of any universal joint that is not the correct size within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the AD. We are requiring you to inspect and, if necessary, replace within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. We do not have justification to require this action within the next 10 hours TIS. We use compliance times such as this when we have identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 30 days will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the actions accomplished without compromising the safety of the airplanes.
Cost Impact
How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?
We estimate that this AD affects 135 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 per universal joint
Parts cost
Total cost per universal joint
Total cost on U.S. operators
1 workhour $60 = $60 (3 universal joints per airplane).
No parts required
$60 ($60 3 universal joints per airplane = $180).
$180 135 = $24,300.
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 per universal joint
Parts cost
Total cost per universal joint
2 workhours x $60 = $120.
$2,000 per universal joint
$120 + $2,000 = $2,120.
Compliance Time of This AD
What Is the Compliance Time of This AD?
The compliance time of this AD is "within the next 30 days after theeffective date of this AD."
Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?
This unsafe condition is not a result of the number of times the airplane is operated. The chance of this situation occurring is the same for an airplane with 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) as it is for an airplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes in a reasonable time period.
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: