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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37701-37703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14967]

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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.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing 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 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 at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 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: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. You may review copies of the 
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.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2013 (78 FR 
14729), and proposed to supersede AD 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 76 
FR 5467; February 1, 2011). 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 2010-0176 
to require implementation of maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations in accordance with Pilatus PC-6 ALS issue 
1, dated 14 May 2010 and Pilatus PC-6 AMM Chapter 4, issue 12, dated 
14 May 2010.
    Since that AD was issued, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd published Pilatus 
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 2010-0176, 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

    Pilatus 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 method of compliance (AMOC) shortly after AD release 
and that the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) section remained 
unchanged in this revision of the AMM. They stated the AMM update was 
released after the MCAI was submitted and the Aircraft Limitations

[[Page 37702]]

document 02334 at Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012, is correct.
    We agree and have added the reference to Pilatus PC-6 B2-H2/B2-H4 
Maintenance Manual, document No. 01975, Revision No. 17, dated December 
31, 2012 in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

Requested Change to Compliance Time

    Pilatus Aircraft stated they found the specified compliance time 
complicated and not as intended in the ALS, therefore, they request the 
FAA use the compliance time and grace period as specified in the EASA 
AD 2012-0268 or Pilatus proposes a flight hour limitation also be added 
to paragraph (f)(3)(ii) in the NPRM. Pilatus commented that should an 
operator have more than 8 years but less than 8.5 years actuator 
service with no flight hour limitation, the operator with extreme 
operating hours may exceed the allowed 3,500-hour TIS or 350-hour TIS 
grace period.
    We agree with this comment. We have revised paragraph (f)(3) to 
require replacement of the actuator if it has accumulated 3,500 hours 
TIS or 7 years or more since new or since last overhauled, with a 350-
hour TIS or 6-month grace period.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 14729, March 7, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 14729, March 7, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 15 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 7 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $8,925, or $595 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 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 this AD:
    (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.

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 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.

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

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 removing Amendment 39-16571 (76 FR 
5467, February 1, 2011) and adding the following new AD:

2013-11-08 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes: Amendment 39-17468; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0223; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-049-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 29, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD number 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 (76 
FR 5467; February 1, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN), and 
MSN 2001 through 2092, that are 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 5: Time Limits.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by inspection requirements of the 
stabilizer-trim attachment components. The inspection requirements 
have been revised to now include an additional inspection 
requirement for the flap actuator. We are issuing this proposed AD 
to update the maintenance program with new requirements and 
limitations.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) For all affected Models 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 requirements as specified in Chapter 04, 
Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31, 2012, of the Pilatus PC-6 
Maintenance Manual; into your

[[Page 37703]]

FAA-accepted maintenance program (maintenance manual).

    Note 2 of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Community, has issued EASA AD No.: 2012-0268, dated 
December 19, 2012, that discusses revision 16 of the Pilatus PC-6 
Maintenance Manual. Revision 16 and revision 17 of the Pilatus PC-6 
Maintenance Manual both contain the Chapter 04, Airworthiness 
Limitations, dated July 31, 2012.

    (2) For all affected Models PC-6 other than the Models 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 requirements 
as specified in Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 
02334, Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012, into your FAA-accepted 
maintenance program.
    (3) For all Models PC-6 airplanes: If the actuator has 
accumulated 3,500 hours TIS or more since new or last overhauled or 
7 years or more since new or last overhauled, whichever occurs 
first, replacement of the flap actuator (except part numbers 
978.73.14.101 and 978.73.14.103) is required within 350 hours TIS 
after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or 6 months 
after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first. Actuators with less than 3,500 hours TIS or 7 years 
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 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.: 2012-0268, dated December 19, 2012; 
and Pilatus PC-6 B2-H2/B2-H4 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM); 
Document No. 01975, revision 17; dated December 31, 2012, for 
related information. For the Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. related 
information use the contact information found in paragraph (i)(3) of 
this AD.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) 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 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31, 2012, 
of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance Manual.
    (ii) Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 02334, 
Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012.
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Service Manager, 
CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: 
+41 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, 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.
[FR Doc. 2013-14967 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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