Document ID: FAA-2013-0383-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24689-24691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09888]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 24689]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0383; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-008-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).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 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 a need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations 
section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance 
manual). The limitations were revised to include an emergency fuel 
control system adjustment test. 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 June 10, 2013.

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 Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, 
CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 
(0)41 619 67 73; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: 
aircraft.com">Techsupport@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.

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 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-2013-0383; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-008-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 Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Switzerland, has issued AD HB-2013-003, dated March 19, 
2013 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by changes to the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM), which adds life-limits, revises life-limits or adds 
inspections not previously identified.
    These documents include the maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. and 
approved by FOCA. Failure to comply with these instructions and 
limitations could potentially lead to unsafe condition.
    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. published Pilatus PC-7 AMM report no. 
01715 revision 31 dated 30 November 2012 to incorporate a 300 Flight 
Hour (FH) hour inspection on the Emergency Fuel Control System 
(FCS).
    For the reason described above, this AD requires the 
implementation and the compliance with this new maintenance 
requirement.

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

Relevant Service Information

    PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. has issued PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, 
Time Limited Inspection Requirements, 05-10-20, pages 1 through 6, 
dated November 30, 2012; and PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, Emergency 
Fuel Control System--Adjustment/Test, 76-20-00, pages 501 and 502, 
dated November 30, 2010. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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

[[Page 24690]]

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 15 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. Required parts would cost 
about $10 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $1,425, or $95 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

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 adding the following new AD:

PILATUS Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0383; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-CE-008-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 10, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 76: Engine 
Controls.

(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 of the FAA-
approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). The 
limitations were revised to include an emergency fuel control system 
adjustment test. We are issuing this AD to ensure the continued 
operational safety of the affected airplanes.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD 
and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours 
time-in-service, do the emergency fuel control system test following 
the Functional Test Procedures in PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, 
Emergency Fuel Control System--Adjustment/Test, 76-20-00, pages 501 
and 502, dated November 30, 2010, as specified in PILATUS PC-7 
Maintenance Manual, Time Limited Inspection Requirements, 05-10-20, 
dated November 30, 2012.

    Note to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: Only page 4, Chapter 76--
Engine Controls, of PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, Time Limited 
Inspection Requirements, 05-10-20, dated November 30, 2012, which 
was revised to add PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, Emergency Fuel 
Control System--Adjustment/Test, 76-20-00, dated November 30, 2010, 
is being mandated in this AD. Other Chapters referenced in this 
document are covered in other ADs.

    (2) As a result of the functional test required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, if a discrepancy is found that is not identified 
in the document listed in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before 
further flight after finding the discrepancy, contact Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd. at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD 
for a repair scheme and incorporate that repair scheme.

(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.
    (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.

[[Page 24691]]

(h) Related Information

    Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2013-003, 
dated March 19, 2013; PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, Time Limited 
Inspection Requirements, 50-10-20, pages 1 through 6, dated November 
30, 2012; and PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance Manual, Emergency Fuel 
Control System--Adjustment/Test, 76-20-00, pages 501 and 502, dated 
November 30, 2010, for related information. For service information 
related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer 
Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; 
telephone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73; Internet: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 19, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2013-09888 Filed 4-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P