Document ID: FAA-2010-1011-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6 H1, PC-6 H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350 H1, etc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-02-01T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5467-5469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33332]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 1, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 5467]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1011; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-16571; AD 2011-01-14]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; 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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. 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:

    The current Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) of PC-6 B2-H2 and 
B2-H4 models does not include a Chapter 04 in the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS). For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-
H4, no ALS at all is included in the AMM.
    With the latest Revision 12 of the AMM, a new Chapter 04 has 
been introduced in the AMM for PC-6 B2-H2 and B2-H4 models.
    For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-H4, a new ALS document 
has been implemented as well.
    These documents include the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) which are maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd and 
approved by EASA. Failure to comply with these MCAI constitutes an 
unsafe condition.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 8, 2011.
    On March 8, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

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. 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, ACE-112 Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090.

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 October 7, 2010 (75 
FR 62002), and proposed to supersede AD 2005-17-01, Amendment 39-14221 
(70 FR 47716; August 15, 2005). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:

    The current Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) of PC-6 B2-H2 and 
B2-H4 models does not include a Chapter 04 in the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS). For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-
H4, no ALS at all is included in the AMM.
    With the latest Revision 12 of the AMM, a new Chapter 04 has 
been introduced in the AMM for PC-6 B2-H2 and B2-H4 models.
    For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-H4, a new ALS document 
has been implemented as well.
    These documents include the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) which are maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd and 
approved by EASA. Failure to comply with these MCAI constitutes an 
unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this MCAI requires the 
implementation and the compliance with these new maintenance 
requirements and/or airworthiness limitations documents.

Since we issued AD 2005-17-01 concerning the inspection of the 
stabilizer-trim attachment components, Pilatus has updated their 
maintenance programs with new requirements and limitations. Since we 
are now mandating the new AMM, we are completely superseding AD 2005-
17-01. Additionally, the AMM revisions in this AD action also include 
the new repetitive inspections for the wing strut fittings and 
spherical bearings currently included in AD 2009-18-03 (74 FR 43636; 
August 27, 2009). We are also removing those repetitive inspections 
from AD 2009-18-03. 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 considered the comments received.

Request for Clarification on Applicability

    Pilatus Aircraft commented that there is no consistency between 
2010-CE-047-AD and 2009-CE-034-AD (AD 2009-18-03 (R1); 76 FR 1990; 
January 12, 2011) regarding the applicability of airplanes in regards 
to the manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) on the Fairchild PC-6 
airplanes.
    The FAA agrees that the applicability of airplanes needs corrected. 
We changed the applicability to clarify that some specific MSNs can 
also be 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.

Discussion Section Contains Confusing Reference to ADs

    Pilatus Aircraft commented that the Discussion section contains 
confusing references to other ADs. They

[[Page 5468]]

commented that FAA AD 2005-17-01 refers to Pilatus SB 53-001/FOCA AD 
HB-2005-263. That Service Bulletin (SB) involves ``Stabilizer-Trim 
Attachment Components,'' whereas FAA AD 2009-18-03 mentioned later in 
the NPRM involves wing strut fittings. The new CH4/ALS documents for 
the PC-6 contain the repetitive inspection requirements of both AD 
2005-17-01 and AD 2009-18-03. Because the Discussion section references 
various FAA ADs and service bulletins, it is difficult to follow which 
service information corresponds with which AD.
    The FAA agrees that the discussion paragraph could be more concise. 
We changed the information in the discussion paragraph to make it 
easier to understand how this AD action affects both AD 2005-17-01 and 
AD 2009-18-03.

Actions and Compliance Section States Both Documents Required

    The Actions and Compliance section indicates that both AMM Doc. 
01975 Rev 12 and ALS Doc. 02334 are applicable for each model airplane. 
Only one document should be applicable for each model airplane, not 
both.
    The FAA agrees because both manuals are not required for each model 
of airplane, only the one that is appropriate. We changed paragraph (f) 
to specify which of the above documents apply to which airplanes.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 50 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $4,250, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions based 
on maintenance requirements for the wing strut fittings and the 
spherical bearings following the Aircraft Maintenance Manual and the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section would take about 40 work-hours and 
require parts costing $12,000, for a cost of $15,400 per product. We 
have no way of determining the number of products that may need these 
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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

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 39-14221 (70 FR 
47716; August 15, 2005) and adding the following new AD:

2011-01-14 Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-16571; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1011; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-047-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 8, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-17-01, Amendment 39-14221.

Applicability

    (c) 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 number (MSN) 101 
through 999, and MSN 2001 through 2092, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: For MSN 2001-2092, these airplanes are also identified 
as Fairchild Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild

[[Page 5469]]

Industries PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or 
Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: Time 
Limits.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    The current Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) of PC-6 B2-H2 and 
B2-H4 models does not include a Chapter 04 in the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS). For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-
H4, no ALS at all is included in the AMM.
    With the latest Revision 12 of the AMM, a new Chapter 04 has 
been introduced in the AMM for PC-6 B2-H2 and B2-H4 models.
    For PC-6 models other than B2-H2 and B2-H4, a new ALS document 
has been implemented as well.
    These documents include the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) which are maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd and 
approved by EASA. Failure to comply with these MCAI constitutes an 
unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this MCAI requires the 
implementation and the compliance with these new maintenance 
requirements and/or airworthiness limitations documents.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) 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 March 8, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), 
incorporate the maintenance requirements as specified in Pilatus PC-
6 AMM Chapter 04-00-00, Revision 12, Document Number 01975, dated 
May 14, 2010, into your FAA-accepted maintenance program.
    (2) For all affected PC-6 models other than the Models PC-6/B2-
H2 and PC-6/B2-H4; Before further flight after March 8, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), incorporate the maintenance requirements 
as specified in Pilatus PC-6 AMM ALS Document Number 02334, Revision 
1, dated May 14, 2010, into your FAA-accepted maintenance program.

    Note 2:  The AMM revisions in this AD action include the 
repetitive inspections for the wing strut fittings and the spherical 
bearings currently included in AD 2009-18-03. AD 2009-18-03 (R1), 
Amendment 39-16570 has been revised to remove these repetitive 
inspections.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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. 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.
    (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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2010-0176, dated August 20, 2010; 
and Pilatus PC-6 AMM Chapter 04-00-00, Revision 12, Document Number 
01975, Revision 12, dated May 14, 2010; or in the Pilatus PC-6 ALS 
Document Number 02334, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2010, for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Pilatus PC-6 AMM Chapter 04-00-00, Revision 12, 
Document Number 01975, dated May 14, 2010; and incorporate the 
Pilatus PC-6 ALS Document Number 02334, Revision 1, dated May 14, 
2010, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 28, 2010.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-33332 Filed 1-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P