Airworthiness directives: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.,

[Federal Register: March 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 48)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 12241-12242]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr12mr99-1]

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[[Page 12241]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-73-AD; Amendment 39-11069; AD 99-06-05]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC- 12/45 airplanes. This AD requires removing the ``Alternate Flap System'' from the airplane flight controls and inserting a temporary revision that specifies this change in SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by this AD are intended to preclude improper use of the ``Alternate Flap System'', which could result in flap asymmetry with consequent reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 16, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 62 33; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-73-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 30, 1998 (63 FR 71797). The NPRM proposed to require removing the ``Alternate Flap System'' from the airplane flight controls and inserting Pilatus Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, dated September 11, 1998, in SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 90 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Pilatus will provide parts to the owners/ operators of the affected airplanes at no charge. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be$54,000, or $600 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with ExecutiveOrder 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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, pursuant to 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:

   [[Page 12242]]

   Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

   99-06-05 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-11069; Docket No. 98- CE-73-AD.

   Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 101 through MSN 227 and MSN 232; certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

   Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

   To prevent improper use of the ``Alternate Flap System'', which could result in flap asymmetry with consequent reduced or loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

   (a) Remove the ``Alternate Flap System'' from the airplane flight controls, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998.

   (b) Insert Pilatus Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, dated September 11, 1998, into SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook.

   (c) Inserting the information specified in paragraph (b) of this AD into the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with paragraph (b) of this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

   (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

   (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

   Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

   (f) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998; and Pilatus Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, dated September 11, 1998, should be directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 62 33; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

   (g) The removal required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

   Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 98- 352, dated September 28, 1998.

   (h) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1999.

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 2, 1999. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-5853Filed3-11-99; 8:45 am]

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