Document ID: FAA-2016-5578-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pacific Aerospace Limited Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-07-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44492-44494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15864]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5578; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-005-AD; 
Amendment 39-18587; AD 2016-14-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-13-05 for 
certain Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL (type certificate 
previously held by Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd.) 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 some critical rivets on the wing not being 
fully age-hardened and being installed in specific locations where 
reduction in rivet strength reduces wing strength. We are issuing this 
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 12, 
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of July 
31, 2006 (71 FR 35509, June 21, 2006).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5578; 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 Pacific 
Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, Hamilton, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 
3240, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 6144; facsimile: +64 7 843 
6134; email: pacific@aerospace.co.nz; Internet: www.aerospace.co.nz. 
You may view 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2016-5578.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Pacific Aerospace 
Limited Model 750XL (type certificate previously held by Pacific 
Aerospace Corporation Ltd.) airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 12, 2016 (81 FR 21489), and proposed to 
supersede AD 2006-13-05, Amendment 39-14658 (71 FR 35509, June 21, 
2006) (``AD 2006-13-05'').
    Since we issued AD 2006-13-05, additional airplanes have been 
identified that need to be added to the applicability of the AD.
    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority 
for New Zealand, has issued AD No. DCA/750XL/7B, dated February 25, 
2016 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    DCA/750XL/7B revised to introduce PACSB/XL/018 issue 4, dated 20 
January 2016, which reduces the applicability to S/N 101 through to 
131 with no change to the requirements. Aircraft with S/N 132 
onwards have been modified in accordance with PACSB/XL/018 at 
manufacture, which is a terminating action for the requirements of 
this AD.

This AD requires you to remove rivets that have not been fully age 
hardened and replace them with bolts, washers, and nuts in specific 
locations where reduction in rivet strength affects overall structural 
capability. The AD retains the airplane weight AFM limitations until 
the rivets are replaced with the bolts, washers, and nuts. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2016-5578-002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 21489, April 12, 
2016) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (81 FR 21489, April 12, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 21489, April 12, 2016).

[[Page 44493]]

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Pacific Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/
018, Issue 4, dated January 20, 2016. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for removing rivets (part number (P/N) MS20470 DD6) and 
installing bolts (P/N NAS 6203-7X or NAS 6203-6X), washers (P/N AN960-
10), and nuts (P/N MS21044N3) in place of the rivets to restore 
airplane to full take-off weight of 7,500 pounds. 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 the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 9 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 32 work-hours per product to 
comply with the replacement requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $519 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $29,151, or $3,239 per product.
    AD 2006-13-05 affected 8 of the 9 U.S.-registered airplanes 
reflected in the above cost information. This AD will only increase the 
cost already required by AD 2006-13-05 by one additional airplane. The 
FAA has a report that the additional airplane is already in compliance, 
thus this AD will impose no additional cost impact on U.S. operators.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5578; 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 39-14658 (71 FR 
35509, June 21, 2006), and adding the following new AD:

2016-14-06 Pacific Aerospace Limited: Amendment 39-18587; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5578; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-005-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 12, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2006-13-05, Amendment 39-14658 (71 FR 35509, 
June 21, 2006) (``AD 2006-13-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 
750XL airplanes (type certificate previously held by Pacific 
Aerospace Corporation Ltd.), that are certificated in any category.
    (1) Airplanes previously affected by AD 2006-13-05: Serial 
numbers 101, 102, 104 through 120, and 125.
    (2) Airplanes new to this AD: Serial numbers 103, 121, 122, 123, 
124, and 126 to 131.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

(e) Reason

    This 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 some critical 
rivets on the wing not being fully age-hardened and being installed 
in specific locations where reduction in rivet strength reduces wing 
strength. We are issuing this AD to add airplane serial numbers to 
the Applicability section, paragraph (c) of this AD, and to ensure 
wing ultimate load requirements are met. If wing ultimate load 
requirements are not met, wing failure could result with consequent 
loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Insert the following information into the Limitations 
section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) at the compliance time 
specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. You may do 
this by inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of 
the AFM: ``The maximum takeoff weight is reduced from 7,500 pounds 
to 7,125 pounds.'' 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) may do the flight manual changes 
requirement of this AD. Make an entry in the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (i) For airplanes previously affected by AD 2006-13-05: Before 
further flight after January 16, 2006 (the effective date retained 
from AD 2005-26-53, Amendment 39-14451 (71 FR 2453, January 17, 
2006), which was replaced by AD 2006-13-05).
    (ii) For airplanes new to this AD: Before further flight after 
August 12, 2016 (the effective date of this AD).
    (2) Remove rivets, part number (P/N) MS20470 DD6, on the main 
spar web and

[[Page 44494]]

replace with bolts, P/N NAS 6203-6X or -7X, as indicated for the 
position, assembled with washers, P/N AN960-10, and nut, P/N 
MS21044N3, at the compliance time specified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) 
and (ii) of this AD.
    (i) For airplanes previously affected by AD 2006-13-05: Within 
the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 31, 2006 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2006-13-05). Do the removal and 
replacement actions following Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd. 
Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/018, Issue 3, dated December 23, 2005, and 
amended January 16, 2006.
    (ii) For airplanes new to this AD: Within the next 100 hours TIS 
after August 12, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or within the 
next 12 months after August 12, 2016 (the effective date of this 
AD), whichever occurs first. Do the removal and replacement actions 
following Pacific Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/018, 
Issue 4, dated January 20, 2016.
    (3) For all affected airplanes: Before further flight after 
doing the action required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, remove the 
restrictive information from the Limitations section of the AFM that 
you were required to insert in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. 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) may do the flight manual changes requirement of this AD.

(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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: karl.schletzbaum@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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD No. DCA/750XL/
7B, dated February 25, 2016, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2016-5578-002.

(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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 12, 2016.
    (i) Pacific Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/018, 
Issue 4, dated January 20, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 31, 2006 (71 FR 35509, June 21, 2006).
    (i) Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd. Service Bulletin PACSB/
XL/018, Issue 3, dated December 23, 2005, and amended January 16, 
2006.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For Pacific Aerospace Limited service information identified 
in this AD, contact Pacific Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, 
Hamilton, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; telephone: 
+64 7 843 6144; facsimile: +64 7 843 6134; email: 
pacific@aerospace.co.nz; Internet: www.aerospace.co.nz.
    (6) 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-5578.
    (7) 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 June 28, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15864 Filed 7-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P