[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3276-3278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models 
PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing 
certain propeller de-icing controllers with ones that are not 
susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The proposed AD is 
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent improper operation 
of the propeller de-icing controller caused by EMI, which could result 
in ice build-up on the propeller with possible airplane controllability 
problems.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street,

[[Page 3277]]

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Marketing Support Department, CH-6370 
Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41-6196 233; facsimile: +41 41-6103 
351. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the 
address above.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Switzerland, notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes. The FOCA of Switzerland reports that part number (P/N) 
968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) propeller de-icing controllers are 
susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). This condition was 
identified during component qualification testing at the factory.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in improper operation of the de-icing controller, leading to ice-
buildup on the propeller with possible airplane controllability 
problems.

Relevant Service Information

    Pilatus has issued Service Bulletin No. 30-002, dated August 19, 
1996, which specifies procedures for identifying an affected propeller 
de-icing controller, P/N 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1); serial number 
U999 or lower that does not have ``SB30-1'' marked on it, and replacing 
this controller with one that is not susceptible to EMI.
    The FOCA of Switzerland classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Swiss AD HB 96-416, dated September 30, 1996, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
Switzerland.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in Switzerland and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA of Switzerland has kept the 
FAA informed of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the FOCA of Switzerland; 
reviewed all available information, including the service information 
referenced above; and determined that AD action is necessary for 
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the 
United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed 
AD would require replacing certain propeller de-icing controllers with 
ones that are not susceptible to EMI. Accomplishment of the proposed 
installation would be in accordance with the service information 
previously referenced.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 53 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be 
provided by the manufacturer free of charge. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $6,360.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

    While the condition described in this proposed AD is unsafe while 
the airplane is in operation, it is not a direct result of airplane 
operation. For example, the unsafe condition exists or could develop on 
an airplane with 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) the same as one with 
10 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance 
based on calendar time should be utilized in the proposed AD in order 
to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes in a 
reasonable time period.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

[[Page 3278]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

    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:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd: Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD.

    Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial 
numbers MSN 101 through MSN 153, 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 (d) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent improper operation of the propeller de-icing 
controller caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI), which could 
result in ice build-up on the propeller with possible airplane 
controllability problems, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 9 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, accomplish the following in accordance with the 
instructions in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 30-002, dated August 
19, 1996:
    (1) Identify the serial number of the affected propeller de-
icing controller, part number (P/N) 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or 
FAA-approved equivalent part number);
    (2) For those airplanes with a propeller de-icing controller, P/
N 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number), with a serial number of U999 or lower that does not have 
``SB30-1'' marked on it, replace it with a P/N 500.50.1.109 (BFG 
SB4E3163-1-30-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part number) propeller 
de-icing controller.

    Note 2: The airplanes affected by this AD could have propeller 
de-icing controllers installed that have Parts Manufacturer Approval 
(PMA). For those airplanes having PMA parts that are equivalent (PMA 
by equivalency) to those referenced in this AD, the phrase ``or FAA-
approved equivalent part number'' means that this AD applies to 
airplanes with PMA by equivalency propeller de-icing controllers 
installed.

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, a propeller de-icing controller, P/N 
968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number), with a serial number of U999 or lower that does not have 
``SB30-1'' marked on it.
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus 
Service Bulletin No. 30-002 dated August 19, 1996, should be 
directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Marketing Support Department, CH-
6370 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41-6196 233; facsimile: +41 
41-6103 351. 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB-96-
416, dated September 30, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 14, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1463 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U