Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22736 · Flight control system wiring
Britten-Norman Aircraft, Ltd. Airplanes
This AD applies to Britten-Norman Aircraft Ltd airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, 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.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Britten-Norman Aircraft, 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-2B27, BN-2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes; and Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. This AD is prompted by reports of electrical cable (Koiled Kord) and flight control cables interference with the control column. This AD requires inspecting for interference between the control column, rudder pedal adjuster cable, and any wiring (including the Koiled Kord) concurrently with performing a flight control full and free movement inspection, and taking corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
For the purposes of this AD, a Koiled Kord is the coiled electrical cable that carries the wires from switches on the control yoke, through the control column tube, to the rear of the instrument panel. It exits the control column tube behind the instrument panel and continues to a terminal block.
(1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect for interference between the control column, rudder pedal adjuster cable, and any other wiring, including the Koiled Kord, in accordance with Sections 6 and 7(1) of Britten-Norman Service Bulletin SB 398, Issue 2, dated May 30, 2022 (Britten-Norman SB 398, Issue 2), while concurrently performing a control column full and free movement inspection, in accordance with Section 8 of Britten-Norman SB 398, Issue 2, to inspect for free play, friction, binding, non-linear forces, and any remaining interference.
(2) If interference between the control column, the rudder pedal adjuster cable, and any other wiring, including the Koiled Kord, or any free play, friction, binding, non-linear forces, or any remaining interference was found during the inspections required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, before further flight, securely tie any interfering electrical cables clear of the control column for its full range of motion and perform a final full and free movement inspection in accordance with Section 8 of Britten-Norman SB 398, Issue 2, to inspect for free play, friction, binding, non-linear forces, and any remaining interference. If there is any free play, friction, binding, non-linear forces, or any remaining interference, before further flight resolve these issues in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority United Kingdom (CAA UK); or Britten-Norman Aircraft Ltd.'s CAA UK Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
