Document ID: FAA-2017-0194-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-03-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14488-14490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05160]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0194; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This proposed 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 an error within the flight management system 
caused by installing Primus APEX software Build 10 or 10.9, which could 
cause deviation from the correctly calculated barometric vertical 
navigation nominal glide path. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Support PC-12, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; phone: +41 41 619 33 33; fax: +41 41 619 73 11; email: 
aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: www.pilatus-aircraft.com. 
You may review 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.

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-2017-
0194; 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 this proposed AD, 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.

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: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0194; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-006-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No. 2017-0024, dated February 13, 2017 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to

[[Page 14489]]

correct an unsafe condition for PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information originated by an aviation authority of another country. The 
MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported of a split between the vertical 
guidance data and the flight director steering commands during a 
Vertical Glide Path (VGP) approach. Subsequent investigation 
identified an error within the Flight Management System (FMS) that 
was introduced into Primus APEX software (S/W) Build 10 and S/W 
Build 10.9.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of control 
of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued 
Temporary Revision (TR) No. 38 to the PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating 
Handbook, (POH) Report No: 02277 (hereafter referred to as ``POH TR 
38'' in this AD), limiting VGP Approach mode sourced on baro 
Vertical Navigation (VNAV) to visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 
only, and providing procedures applicable in case of VGP deviation 
occurring during baro VNAV approaches.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires amendment of 
the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0194.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. has issued Temporary Revision No. 38 to PC-
12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, Report No: 02277, Section 2--
Limitations, dated February 8, 2017. The service information describes 
procedures for limiting the use of the autopilot and flight director to 
day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) during barometric vertical 
navigation (baro VNAV) during a vertical glide path approach (VGP). 
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 this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 350 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $29,750, or $85 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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0194; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-CE-006-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 5, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) have Primus APEX Software Build 10 with Honeywell part 
number (P/N) EB60000487-0110 or Primus APEX Software Build 10.9 with 
Honeywell P/N EB60000487-0112 installed; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: Navigation.

(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 an error within 
the flight management system caused by installing Primus APEX 
software Build 10 or 10.9, which could cause deviation from the 
correctly calculated barometric vertical navigation nominal guide 
path. We are issuing this AD to prevent the pilot from following 
incorrect data from the flight management system, which could result 
in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD, insert Temporary Revision No. 38 to PC-12/47E Pilot's 
Operating Handbook, Report No: 02277, Section 2--Limitations, dated 
February 8, 2017, into PILATUS Airplane Flight Manual 02277, Section 
2--Limitations.
    Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: For airplanes affected by 
this AD, the Pilot's

[[Page 14490]]

Operating Handbook and the Airplane Flight Manual are the same 
document with the Report No.: 02277.

(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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2017-0024, dated February 13, 2017, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0194. For service 
information related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., 
Customer Support PC-12, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 41 
619 33 33; fax: +41 41 619 73 11; email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review 
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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 7, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05160 Filed 3-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P