[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)1 

[Rules and Regulations] 

[Pages 37701-37703) 

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] 

[FR Doc No: 20 13- 14967] 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

(Docket No. FAA-2013-0223; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-049-AD; Amendment 39-17468; 

AD 2013-11-08] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: 

Models 

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 

PC-6, PC-6-H I, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H I, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H I, PC6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/Bl-H2, PC-6/B2-H2. PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/CI-H2 

airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 failure to inspect and maintain stabilizer-trim 

attachment components and the flap actuator could result in loss of control. We are issuing this 

proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective July 29,2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 

publications listed in the AD as of July 29, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in 

person 

M-30, West 

at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations. 

Building Ground Floor, Room W 12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

For service information identified in this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer 

Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland ; telephone: +4 1 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: +41 (0) 41 

619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. You may review copies ofthe referenced 

service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 90 I Locust, Kansas City. Missouri 

64 1 06. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. 
Airplane 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 

Directorate, 90 I Locust, Room 30 I, Kansas City, Missouri 641 06; telephone: (816) 329-

4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD 

that 

March 

would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 

FR 

7, 2013 (78 FR 14729), and proposed to supersede AD 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 76 

5467; February I, 20 II). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states that: 

The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations applicable to the Structure 

and Components of the PC-6 are specified in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual 

(AMM) under Chapter 4 or in the Airworthiness Limitations Document (ALS), 

depending on the aeroplane model. 

These documents include the maintenance instructions and/or airworthiness 

limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. and approved by EASA. Failure to 

comply with these instructions and limitations could potentially lead to an unsafe 

condition. To address this potentially unsafe condition EASA issued AD 20 I 0-0176 to 

require implementation of maintenance instructions and/or airworthiness limitations in 

accordance with Pilatus PC-6 ALS issue I, dated \4 May 2010 and Pilatus PC-6 

AMM Chapter 4, issue 12, dated 14 May 20 I 0. 

Since that AD was issued, Pi latus Aircraft Ltd published Pi latus PC-6 AMM (Number 

01975) Chapter 4, issue 16 and PC-6 ALS (Number 02334) issue 3 to introduce a 

threshold for replacement of previously not listed Flap Actuator. 

For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirement of AD 20 I 0-0176, 

which is superseded, and requires the implementation of more restrictive maintenance 

requirements and/or airworthiness limitation as specified in issue 16 of Chapter 4 of 

AMM and issue 3 of ALS. This AD also requires replacement of any Flap Actuator 

which, on the effective date of this AD, has accumulated or exceeded 7 years since 

new or since last overhaul. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents 

the comments received on the proposal and the FAA's response to each comment. 

Use Latest Revision of the Airplane Maintenance Manual 

Pi latus Aircraft stated that the latest revision of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 01975 

be quoted in the AD, which is Pilatus PC-6 B2-H2/B2-H4 Maintenance Manual, document No. 

01975, Revision No. 17, dated December 31 , 2012. They stated this will prevent applications for an 

alternative 

Limitations 

method of compliance (AMOC) shortly after AD release and that the Airworthiness 

AMM 

Section (ALS) section remained unchanged in this revision of the AMM. They stated the 

update was released after the MCAI was submitted and the Aircraft Limitations document 

02334 at Revision No.3, dated July 31 , 2012, is correct. 

2 

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various 

national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD: 

(I) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, 

F

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures ( 44 FR II 034, 

ebruary 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 

other 

ADDR

information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 

ESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 

Adoption of 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 

I. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U .S.C. I 06(g), 40113, 44 70 I. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-16571 (76 FR 5467, February I, 2011 ) and 

adding the following new AD: 

4 

I 0 ,.....,",,..._,, " ' .-... .._.,. _. • •· - ·--·· ·-
Chapter 

Manual. Revision 16 and revision 17 of the Pi latus PC-6 Maintenance Manual both contain the 

04, Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31 , 2012. 

(2) For all affected Models PC-6 other than the Mode ls PC-6/B2-H2 and PC-6/B2-H4: Before 

further flight after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), incorporate the maintenance 

No.3

requirements as specified in Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 02334, Revision 

, dated July 31,2012, into your FAA-accepted maintenance program. 

new 

(3) 

or 

For all Models PC-6 airplanes: 1fthe actuator has accumulated 3,500 hours TIS or more since 

last overhauled or 7 years or more since new or last overhauled, whichever occurs first, 

within 

replacement of the flap actuator (except part numbers 978.73. I 4.10 I and 978.73.14.1 03) is required 

2013 

350 hours TIS after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or 6 months after July 29. 

or 7 years 

(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Actuators with less than 3,500 hours T1 S 

since new or last overhauled are covered by the ALS requirement. 

(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 

39.19. 

the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

Directorat

Send information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane 

e, 90 I Locust, Room 30 I, Kansas City, Missouri 641 06; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: 

which 

(816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to 

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 

manufacturer 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a 

considered 

or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are 

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 

H2/B2-H4 

Refer to 

Airplane 

MCAI EASA AD No.: 2012-0268, dated December 19, 2012; and Pilatus PC-6 B2-

December 

Maintenance Manual (AMM); Document No. 01975, revision 17; dated 

contact 

31 , 2012, for related information. For the Pi latus Aircraft Ltd. related information use the 

information found in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(I) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the 

service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and I CFR part 51. 

unles

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, 

s the AD specifies otherwise. 

Manual. 

(i) Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31, 2012, of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance 

(ii) Pi latus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 02334, Revision No. 3, dated July 

31 , 2012. 

Ltd

(3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft 

., Customer Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +4 1 (0) 41 619 65 0 I; 

fax: +4 1 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. 

Kansas 

(4) 

City, 

You may 

Missouri 

view this service information at f AA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust. 

641 06. For information on the availability of this material at the fAA, call 

(816) 329-4148. 

6 
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National 

N

Archives 

ARA, 

and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 

call 202-741 -6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 2013. 

Earl Lawrence, 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

7