Document ID: FAA-2012-0732-0006
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pilatus Aircraft LTD Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-02-19T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11572-11575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03407]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0732; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-022-AD; 
Amendment 39-17311; AD 2012-26-16]
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 all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-
12/47E 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 a need to 
incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section, Chapter 4, of 
the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 26, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 26, 
2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of August 
19, 2009 (74 FR 34213, July 15, 2009).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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 62 08; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73 11; Internet: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com. 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 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified 
products. That SNPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 
22, 2012 (77 FR 64442), which proposed to supersede AD 2009-14-13, 
Amendment 39-15963 (74 FR 34213, July 15, 2009).
    Since we issued AD 2009-14-13, Amendment 39-15963 (74 FR 34213, 
July 15, 2009), Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued revisions to the 
Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual to include an 
inspection of the wing main spar fastener holes at rib 6 for cracks.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2012-0099, dated June 8, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the Structure and Components of the PC-12 are 
specified in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) under Chapter 4. 
Prompted by a crack found on one wing of the aeroplane fleet leader, 
a more restrictive airworthiness limitation was introduced, in that 
manual, for the inspection of the main spar rib 6 strap fastener.
    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 unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
implementation of more restrictive maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM (77 FR 64442, October 22, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

[[Page 11573]]

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 
SNPRM (77 FR 64442, October 22, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM (77 FR 64442, October 22, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 678 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3.5 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $300 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $405,105, or $597.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary corrective actions that 
must be taken based on incorporating the new revisions into the 
limitation section of the maintenance manual will take about 6 work-
hours and require parts costing approximately $4,000, for a cost of 
$4,510 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these necessary corrective actions.
    We estimate that it will take about 12 work-hours per product to 
comply with the new addition of the wing main spar fastener holes 
inspection requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the wing 
main spar fastener holes on U.S. operators to be $691,560, or $1,020 
per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary repairs to the wing 
main spar will take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing 
approximately $5,000, for a cost of $5,595 per product. We have no way 
of determining the number of products that may need these corrective 
actions.

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 SNPRM (77 FR 64442, October 22, 
2012), 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 39-15963 (74 FR 
34213, July 15, 2009), and adding the following new AD:

2012-26-16 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-17311; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-1052; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 26, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2009-14-13, Amendment 39-15963 (74 FR 
34213, July 15, 2009).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, 
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSNs), certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 05: Time Limits.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 a need to 
incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section, Chapter 4, 
of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). 
The limitations were revised to include an inspection of the wing 
main spar fastener holes at rib 6 for cracks. These actions are 
required to ensure the continued operational safety of the affected 
airplanes.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) For Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, MSNs 101 through 
299: Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after August 
19, 2009 (the effective date retained from AD 2009-14-13, Amendment 
39-15963 (74 FR 34213, July 15, 2009)) or 1 year after August 19, 
2009 (the effective date retained from AD 2009-14-13), whichever 
occurs first, replace the torque tube part number (P/N) 
532.50.12.047 with torque tube P/N 532.50.12.064 following PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. Service Bulletin No: 32-021, dated November 21, 2008.
    (2) For all airplanes: As of March 26, 2013 (the effective date 
of this AD), do not install torque tube P/N 532.50.12.047.
    (3) For all airplanes: Before further flight after March 26, 
2013 (the effective date of

[[Page 11574]]

this AD), insert Data module code 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, 
``STRUCTURAL, COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus Model 
Identification: 12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC12, PC12/45, PC 
12/47 AMM Document No. 02049, 12-A-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 26, dated 
December 15, 2012, for Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and Data 
module code 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT 
LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 15, 2012, of 
the Pilatus Model Identification: 12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC 
12/47E AMM Document No. 02300, 12-B-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 9, dated 
December 15, 2012, for Model PC-12/47E, into the Limitations section 
of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). 
These limitations section revisions do the following:
    (i) Establish an inspection of the wing main spar fastener holes 
at rib 6,
    (ii) Specify replacement of components before or upon reaching 
the applicable life limit, and
    (iii) Specify accomplishment of all applicable maintenance tasks 
within certain thresholds and intervals.
    (4) For all airplanes: If no compliance time is specified in the 
documents listed in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD when doing any 
corrective actions where discrepancies are found as required in 
paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this AD, do these corrective actions before 
further flight after doing the applicable maintenance task.
    (5) For all airplanes: During the accomplishment of the actions 
required in paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of 
this AD, if a discrepancy is found that is not identified in the 
documents listed in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, before further 
flight after finding the discrepancy, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 
at the address specified in paragraph (i)(5) of this AD for a repair 
scheme and incorporate that repair scheme.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required in 
paragraph (f)(3) of this AD if already done before March 6, 2013 
(the effective date of this AD) following Pilatus PC12 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 04-03, dated October 15, 
2012, which transmits Unclassified 12-A/AMP-04 ``STRUCTURAL, 
COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' document 
12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated October 15, 2012; and Pilatus PC12/
47E Aircraft Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 04-01, dated 
October 15, 2012, which transmits Unclassified 12-B/AMP-04 
``STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' 
document 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated October 15, 2012.

(h) 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.
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved for AD 2009-14-13, Amendment 39-15963 (74 FR 
34213, July 15, 2009) are not approved as AMOCs for this AD.
    (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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2012-0099, dated June 8, 2012; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service 
Bulletin No: 32-021, dated November 21, 2008; Data module code 12-A-
04-00-00-00A-000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL, COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus 
Model Identification: 12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC12, PC12/45, 
PC 12/47 AMM Document No. 02049, 12-A-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 26, 
dated December 15, 2012; Data module code 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, 
``STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' 
dated October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus Model Identification: 12 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC 12/47E AMM Document No. 02300, 12-B-
AM-00-00-00-I, revision 9, dated December 15, 2012; Pilatus PC12 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 04-03, dated 
October 15, 2012, which transmits Unclassified 12-A/AMP-04 
``STRUCTURAL, COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS,'' document 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated October 15, 
2012; and PC12/47E Aircraft Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 
No. 04-01, dated October 15, 2012, which transmits Unclassified 12-
B/AMP-04 ``STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS,'' document 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated October 15, 
2012, for related information.

(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 
March 26, 2013.
    (i) Data module code 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL, 
COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' dated 
October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus Model Identification: 12 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, PC12, PC12/45, PC 12/47 AMM Document No. 02049, 
12-A-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 26, dated December 15, 2012.
    (ii) Data module code 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL AND 
COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 
15, 2012, of the Pilatus Model Identification: 12 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, PC 12/47E AMM Document No. 02300, 12-B-AM-00-00-
00-I, revision 9, dated December 15, 2012.
    Note to paragraph (i)(3) of this AD: Data module code 12-A-04-
00-00-00A-000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL, COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus 
Model Identification: 12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC12, PC12/45, 
PC 12/47 AMM Document No. 02049, 12-A-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 26, 
dated December 15, 2012; and Data module code 12-B-04-00-00-00A-
000A-A, ``STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS,'' dated October 15, 2012, of the Pilatus Model 
Identification: 12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, PC 12/47E AMM 
Document No. 02300, 12-B-AM-00-00-00-I, revision 9, dated December 
15, 2012, were issued as complete updates to the AMM Airworthiness 
Limitations sections and incorporate all technical information 
contained in Pilatus AMM Temporary Revision No. 04-01 and Pilatus 
AMM Temporary Revision No. 04-03, both dated October 15, 2012.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 19, 2009 (74 FR 34213, July 15, 2009).
    (i) Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 32-021, dated 
November 21, 2008.
    (ii) Reserved.

[[Page 11575]]

    (5) 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 62 08; fax: 
+41 (0) 41 619 73 11; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or 
email: SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (6) You may view this 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.
    (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/index.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 8, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03407 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P