Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)
Proposed Rules
Pages 76883-76884
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2016-26429
Page 76883
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2016-9357; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-030-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/
350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-
H2, PC- 6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. This proposed AD results from 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 describes the unsafe condition as certain combinations of the aileron counterweight and the attaching parts possibly resulting in reduced thread engagement and leading to disconnection of the aileron counterweight from the aileron. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 19, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 3333; fax: +41 (0)41 619 7311; email: aircraft.com">supportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9357; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9357; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-030-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No.: 2016-0183, dated September 13, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/
A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC- 6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-
H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information originated by an aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:
The proper installation of the aileron counterweight requires a combination, peculiar to each aileron, of anchor nut types, bolt types, number of washers, and the definition of the bolt torque. Some combinations of counterweight and attaching parts, which could result in reduced thread engagement, have been reported on a PC-6 aeroplane.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to a disconnection of the aileron counterweight from the aileron, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-006 (hereafter referred to as `the SB' in this AD) to provide inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this AD requires identification and inspection of the affected aileron mass-balance counterweight attachment parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9357.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 57-006, dated May 13, 2016. The service information describes procedures for removal, installation, and inspection of the ailerons, aileron balance tabs, and the aileron counterweights and their attaching parts. 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 the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Page 76884
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 30 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $100 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $8,100, or $270 per product.
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.
We are 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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 AD:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2016-9357; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-030-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 19, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to PILATUS Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/
350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-
H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC- 6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN), including MSN 2001 through 2092 (see Note 1 of paragraph c), certificated in any category.
Note 1 of paragraph (c): For MSN 2001-2092, these airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Industries PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by certain combinations of the aileron counterweight and the attaching parts possibly resulting in reduced thread engagement and leading to disconnection of the aileron counterweight from the aileron. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent disconnection of the aileron counterweight from the aileron, which could result in loss of control.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD:
(1) Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD or the next time the ailerons or aileron counterweights are removed or installed, whichever occurs first, and thereafter anytime the ailerons or aileron counterweights are removed or installed, remove each aileron counterweight to inspect the type and number of washers required for the installation of a counterweight on each aileron following the accomplishment instructions of paragraphs 3.B.(2) and 3.B.(3) of Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-
006, dated May 13, 2016.
(2) Before further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, reinstall each aileron counterweight on the airplane following the accomplishment instructions of paragraph 3.B.(3) of Pilatus PC-6 SB No. 57-006, dated May 13, 2016.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2016-0183, dated September 13, 2016, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9357. For service information related to this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 3333; fax: +41 (0)41 619 7311; email: aircraft.com">supportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2016-26429 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
