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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0502; Project Identifier 2018-CE-043-AD; Amendment
39-21702; AD 2021-18-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; B-N Group Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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, BN-2T, and BN-2T-4R airplanes. This AD was prompted by
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 identifies the unsafe
condition as failure of the rudder final drive rod because of cracks in
the region of the taper pins. This AD requires repetitively inspecting
the rudder final drive rod assembly and replacing the rudder final
drive assembly, if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 14, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 14,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited, Commodore House, Mountbatten
Business Centre, Millbrook Road East, Southampton SO15 1HY, United
Kingdom; phone: + 44 20 3371 4000; fax: + 44 20 3371 4001; email:
info@bnaircraft.com; website: https://britten-norman.com/approvals-technical-
publications/. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0502.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0502; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penelope Trease, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 26805 E 68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; phone:
(303) 342-1094; email: penelope.trease@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply 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, BN-
2T, and BN-2T-4R airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on June 25, 2021 (86 FR 33576). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI
originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA has
issued EASA AD 2018-0153, dated July 19, 2018 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on certain B-N Group
Ltd. (Britten-Norman Aircraft Ltd., or ``BNA'') Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-
2B, BN-2T, BN-2T-2, BN-2T-2R, and BN-2T-4R airplanes. The MCAI states:
Occurrences have been reported of failures of the rudder final
drive rod, [part number] P/N NB-45-0991. Cracks were found in the
region of the taper pins. There is evidence that replacing the taper
pins could be a significant factor contributing to the failure of
this rod.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
failure of the affected part, possibly resulting in reduced control
of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, BNA issued the
applicable SB [service bulletin], providing inspection instructions.
Prompted by operator comments, BNA revised the applicable SB (issue
3) to introduce repetitive inspections.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the affected part and, depending on
findings, replacement. This AD also prohibits replacement of taper
pins on an affected part. BNA will amend the applicable Maintenance
Manuals accordingly.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0502.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs. Paragraphs (g)(3) and (4) of the NPRM have been combined
into one paragraph, (g)(3) of the final rule, to make it clear that the
action of paragraph (g)(4) of the NPRM is a follow-on action of
paragraph (g)(3).
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin
Number SB 363, Issue 3, dated May 23, 2018, and Service Bulletin Number
SB 364, Issue 3, dated May 23, 2018. For the applicable airplane models
identified on each document, this service information contains
procedures for repetitively inspecting the rudder final drive rod
assembly and replacing the rudder final drive assembly, if necessary.
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 ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 76 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that inspecting the rudder final drive
assembly will take about 1 work-hour. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $6,460, or $85 per airplane, each inspection
cycle.
In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on actions
to replace the rudder final drive assembly will take about 5 work-hours
and require parts costing $1,200, for a cost of $1,625 per airplane.
The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes 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.
The FAA is 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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