Rule2025-02187
Airworthiness Directives; Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 4, 2025
Effective
March 11, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. Model 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, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes; and certain Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that, in order to ensure the continued structural integrity of certain landing gear and associated components, it is necessary to require removal of these components from service prior to exceeding established fatigue lives. This AD requires determining the number of landings on affected main landing gears (MLGs), nose landing gears (NLGs), and associated components; removing from service any part that has reached or exceeded the established fatigue life and installing a replacement part; and prohibiting the installation of any affected part unless the number of landings for that part is below the established fatigue life. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 22 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8870-8874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02187]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1299; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00237-A;
Amendment 39-22925; AD 2025-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Britten-Norman Aerospace 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
certain Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. Model 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, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S
airplanes; and certain Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK.
III-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that, in
order to ensure the continued structural integrity of certain landing
gear and associated components, it is necessary to require removal of
these components from service prior to exceeding established fatigue
lives. This AD
[[Page 8871]]
requires determining the number of landings on affected main landing
gears (MLGs), nose landing gears (NLGs), and associated components;
removing from service any part that has reached or exceeded the
established fatigue life and installing a replacement part; and
prohibiting the installation of any affected part unless the number of
landings for that part is below the established fatigue life. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 11, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 11,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No.FAA-2024-1299; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Britten-Norman material identified in this AD, contact
Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd., Bembridge Airport, Bembridge, Isle of
Wight, UK, PO35 5PR; phone: +44 20 3371 4000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f794828483989a9285d984828787988583b795859e83839299dacb96d79f859291ca" http: norman.com">norman.com</a>">customer.support@britten-<a href="http://norman.com">norman.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://britten-norman.com/approvals-technical-publications">britten-norman.com/approvals-technical-publications</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1299.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beenal Desai, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (609) 485-9930; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#157770707b74793b717066747c557374743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f99b9c9c979895d79d9c8a9890b99f9898d79e968f">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 Britten-Norman
Aerospace Ltd. Model 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, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S (Islander) airplanes;
and Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 (Trislander)
airplanes, fitted with landing gear and associated components
manufactured by Fairey Hydraulics Ltd (FHL) and Britten-Norman Aircraft
(BNA). The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2024 (89
FR 43342). The NPRM was prompted by AD G-2023-0001, dated February 8,
2023, issued by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation
authority for the United Kingdom (UK) (UK CAA AD G-2023-0001) (also
referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that to ensure the continued
safe operation of certain Islander's and Trislander's NLG, MLG, and
associated components, the manufacturer and the UK CAA determined that
affected parts exceeding the established fatigue lives must be removed
from service and that installation of parts that have reached their
established fatigue lives must be prohibited.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require determining the number of
landings on affected MLGs, NLGs, and associated components; removing
from service any part that has reached or exceeded the established
fatigue life and installing a replacement part; and prohibiting the
installation of any affected part unless the number of landings for
that part is below the established fatigue life. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Exceeding
the established fatigue life, if not addressed, could result in failure
of the structural integrity of the landing gear and associated
components, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to
occupants.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1299.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one individual commenter. The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Include a Method for Calculating Landings Per Flight Hour
The commenter stated that in the United States landings are not
required to be tracked on general aviation or commercial use non turbo
prop airplanes. The commenter also mentioned that AD 2002-25-03,
Amendment 39-12978 (67 FR 76106, December 11, 2002) provides a
calculation of 3 landings per flight hour to calculate the number of
landings, but this calculation is not realistic for all airplane
operations and should be re-evaluated. The commenter explained it is
difficult to take off and land three times in an hour with taxi,
loading, and unloading of passengers and cargo. The commenter stated
that if a routine flight was 30 minutes to an hour, then 1 or 2
landings for 1 flight hour should be considered by the FAA. The FAA
infers that the commenter is requesting that the NPRM be revised to
include a method for calculating landings per flight hour.
The FAA partially agrees with the commenter's request. The FAA
acknowledges that landings are not required to be tracked on domestic
general aviation airplanes. The compliance time for this AD is based on
the number of landings because the affected MLGs, NLGs, and associated
components that are showing fatigue are used during landing operations.
The FAA revised paragraph (h)(1) of this AD to specify how to
calculate for an unknown number of landings and requires using 3
landings per 1 hour time-in-service (TIS). The FAA disagrees with using
the calculation of 1 or 2 landings per 1 hour TIS because the 3
landings per 1 hour TIS calculation is a conservative estimate and has
been used in previous ADs. The FAA received information from Britten-
Norman that supported using a calculation of 3 landings per 1 hour TIS.
In addition, Britten-Norman does not have any data to substantiate
decreasing the number of landings to 1 or 2 landings per 1 hour TIS.
The FAA disagrees with referring to ``flight hours'' and is referring
to TIS because ``flight hours'' are not defined in FAA regulations but
TIS is defined in FAA regulations and is used with respect to
maintenance records.
Request for Extension of Fatigue Life Landings by 30 Percent
The commenter requested that the FAA allow a 30-percent increase of
the fatigue life values specified in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of Section 6 in
Britten-Norman Service Bulletin SB 298, Issue 3, dated July 7, 2023
(Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3). The commenter stated that other
countries allow the affected airplanes to operate with heavier gross
weights than the United States allows, which reduces the fatigue lives
of the affected components by shortening them. The commenter suggested
a periodic eddy current inspection to determine the fatigue life value.
[[Page 8872]]
The FAA disagrees with both the commenter's request for a 30-
percent fatigue life value increase and the commenter's suggestion to
use a periodic eddy current inspection to determine the fatigue life
value. The commenter did not provide substantiating data to support the
requested changes. Britten-Norman provided the fatigue lives for the
affected MLGs, NLGs, and associated components for the worldwide fleet
based on its analysis of the unsafe condition and does not have data to
substantiate increasing the fatigue life by 30-percent. The FAA agrees
with this determination for airplanes on the U.S. registry. Operators
may submit a proposal, with substantiating data, for revised
requirements that affect the fatigue life value by requesting an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) using the procedures specified
in paragraph (j) of this AD.
The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this comment.
Request for Compliance Time Based on Operating Environments and
Conditions
The commenter stated that operating environments and conditions
should also be considered when establishing compliance times. The
commenter explained that these are excellent cargo and passenger
airplanes and are flown all over the world in remote places with short,
unimproved runways of dirt and gravel. The commenter stated that these
are extreme operating conditions that most airplanes do not encounter
and the comparison between airplanes operated in the United States and
airplanes operated in other countries are not equal.
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request to change the
compliance time based on airplane operating environments and
conditions. There is no current requirement to track the hours spent
flying in different conditions. Additionally, operators may not know an
airplane's entire flight or maintenance history. Without this detailed
knowledge of each airplane, it would be impossible for the FAA to
develop a special set of inspections based on airplane operating
environments and conditions. However, operators may submit a proposal,
with substantiating data, for revised requirements by requesting an
AMOC using the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this comment.
Request To Allow Continued Use of Parts That Exceed Fatigue Life Until
Replacement Parts Are Available
The commenter requested that the MLG, NLG, and associated
components that exceed the fatigue lives specified in in Tables 1, 2,
and 3 of Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3, be allowed to
continue to be used in service until replacement parts are available.
The commenter referred to paragraph 2, ``Corrective Action,'' of UK CAA
AD G-2023-0001, which states ``Any main or nose landing gear or
component which exceed the fatigue life stated in Tables 1, 2 or 3 must
be withdrawn from service immediately.'' The commenter stated that if
replacement parts are not available then the proposed AD would not only
ground the fleet but close businesses that rely on these airplanes.
The FAA disagrees with allowing parts that exceed the fatigue life
to be allowed in-service until replacement parts are available. While
the FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern regarding immediately
removing parts that exceed the specified fatigue lives from service,
this AD does not require immediately removing from service affected
parts that exceed the specified fatigue lives. Paragraph (h)(2) of this
AD provides a grace period of 30 days after the effective date of this
AD for replacing affected parts that exceed the specified fatigue
lives. Britten-Norman has confirmed that the landing gear is still in
production and spares are available. To the extent replacement parts
may not be available, the FAA cannot base its AD action on whether
replacement parts are available or can be produced. While every effort
is made to avoid grounding airplanes, the FAA must address the unsafe
condition. Operators may submit a proposal for revised requirements,
with substantiating data, by requesting an AMOC using the procedures
specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
The FAA has not changed this AD regarding this comment.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, 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. Except for
minor editorial changes and any changes described previously, this AD
is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes increase the
economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3. This material
provides procedures for identifying the affected MLGs, NLGs, and
associated components that need to have the number of landings tracked
and provides the associated fatigue life. This material also specifies
to remove from service any affected part that exceeds the specified
fatigue life.
This material 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 87 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Determine the number of 1 work-hour x $85 $0 $85................... $7,395.
landings accumulated on per hour = $85.
affected MLGs, NLGs, and
associated components.
Replace MLG................... 16 work-hours x 30,000 31,360................ 2,728,320.
$85 per hour =
$1,360.
Replace NLG................... 16 work-hours x 35,000 36,360................ 3,163,320.
$85 per hour =
$1,360.
[[Page 8873]]
Replace associated components. Up to 4 work- 4,000 Up to 4,340........... Up to 377,580.
hours x $85 per
hour = $340.
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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
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-01-01 Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd.: Amendment 39-22925; Docket
No. FAA-2024-1299; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00237-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 11, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. airplanes,
certificated in any category, fitted with Fairey Hydraulics Ltd or
Britten-Norman Aircraft landing gear and associated landing gear
components, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Model 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, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes.
(2) Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the determination that in order to
ensure the continued structural integrity of certain landing gear
and associated components, it is necessary to require removal of
these components from service prior to exceeding established fatigue
lives. Exceeding the established fatigue life, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the structural integrity of the landing
gear and associated components, which could result in damage to the
airplane and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) An ``affected part'' is a main landing gear (MLG), nose
landing gear (NLG), or component identified in Table 1, 2, or 3 of
Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3, dated July 7, 2023
(Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3).
(2) A ``part eligible for installation'' is an MLG, NLG, or
component with a part that has been established to be below the
associated fatigue life identified in Table 1, 2, or 3 of Section 6
in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3.
(h) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
determine the number of landings accumulated on the affected parts.
For an unknown number of landings, calculate the number based on 3
landings per 1 hour time-in-service.
(2) Before accumulating the number of landings (fatigue life)
associated with the applicable affected part as identified in Table
1, 2, or 3 of Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3, or within
the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, replace any affected part with a part eligible for
installation.
(3) Thereafter, replace any affected part with a part eligible
for installation before accumulating the fatigue life, as identified
in Table 1, 2, or 3 of Section 6 in Britten-Norman SB 298, Issue 3.
(i) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a MLG, NLG,
or associated component unless it is a part eligible for
installation.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of
this AD or email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aaebe7e5e9eacccbcb84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4a5a9aba7a4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also
submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local Flight Standards District
Office/certificate holding district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Beenal Desai,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (609) 485-9930; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f29097979c939edc969781939bb2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f4d4a4a414e43014b4a5c4e466f494e4e01484059">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 8874]]
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Britten-Norman Service Bulletin SB 298, Issue 3, dated July
7, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Britten-Norman material identified in this AD, contact
Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd., Bembridge Airport, Bembridge, Isle of
Wight, UK, PO35 5PR; phone: +44 20 3371 4000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#73100600071c1e16015d000603031c01073311011a0707161d5e4f12531b0116154e" http: norman.com">norman.com</a>">customer.support@britten-<a href="http://norman.com">norman.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://britten-norman.com/approvals-technical-publications">britten-norman.com/approvals-technical-publications</a>.
(4) You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0c6d28ec9ced3d0c5c3d4c9cfcee0cec1d2c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aaccd884c3c4d9dacfc9dec3c5c4eac4cbd8cb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 2, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02187 Filed 2-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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