Document ID: FAA-2014-0717-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pilatus Aircraft, Ltd. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-09-18T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 181 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56023-56025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22273]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0717; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-026-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 all 
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 that 
would supersede AD 2013-11-08. 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 aircraft 
maintenance manual or in the limitations document of the FAA-approved 
maintenance program. 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 November 3, 
2014.

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 Liaison Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 80; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 
76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com; email: 
aircraft.com">fodermatt@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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0717; 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-2014-0717; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-026-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

    On May 22, 2013, we issued AD 2013-11-08, Amendment 39-17468 (78 FR 
37701; June 24, 2013). That AD required actions intended to address an 
unsafe condition on 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 and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    Since we issued AD 2013-11-08, Amendment 39-17468 (78 FR 37701; 
June 24, 2013), Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued revisions to the 
Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual (AFM) to 
incorporate new life limits for the fire extinguisher.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2014-0181, dated July 31, 2014 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    The maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the Structure and Components of PC-6 aeroplanes are 
specified in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) under Chapter 4 
or in the Airworthiness Limitations Document (ALS), depending on 
aeroplane model.
    The instructions contained in the ALS document have been 
identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness and 
failure to comply with these instructions and limitations could 
potentially lead to an unsafe condition.
    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) recently issued PC-6 AMM, 
Chapter 04-00-00, Document Number 01975 issue 19 for PC-6 B2-H2 and 
PC-6 B2-H4 aeroplanes and PC-6 ALS, Document Number 02334 issue 4 
for all other PC-6 aeroplane models to incorporate new life limits 
for the Fire Extinguisher.
    For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirements 
of EASA AD 2012-0268, which is superseded, and requires 
implementation of the new maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0717.

[[Page 56024]]

Relevant Service Information

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued Airworthiness Limitations, 
document No. 02334, dated May 31, 2014; and Airworthiness Limitations, 
document 04-00-00, dated May 31, 2014. 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 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 50 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $34,000, or $680 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $1,000, for a cost of 
$1,085 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.
    The only costs that would be imposed by this proposed AD over that 
already required by AD 2013-11-08 is 1 work-hour to incorporate the new 
airworthiness limitations section sections into the maintenance 
program, $1,085 for replacement of the fire extinguisher if needed, and 
the addition of 35 airplanes from 15 airplanes to 50 airplanes.

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17468 (78 FR 37701; June 
24, 2013), and adding the following new AD:

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0717; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-CE-026-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 3, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-11-08, Amendment 39-17468 (78 FR 
37701; June 24, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    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 numbers (MSN), 
including MSN 2001 through 2092 (see Note 1 of paragraph c), 
certificated in any category.
    Note 1 of paragraph (c): For MSN 2001-2092, these airplanes are 
also 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.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: 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 aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) 
or in the Limitations document of the FAA-approved maintenance 
program. The limitations were revised to incorporate new life limits 
for the fire extinguisher. These actions are required to ensure the 
continued operational safety of the affected airplanes.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Actions retained from AD 2013-11-08, Amendment 39-17468 (78 
FR 37701; June 24, 2013) for all Models PC-6 airplanes: If the flap 
actuator has accumulated 3,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) or more 
since new or last overhauled or 7 years or more since new or last 
overhauled, whichever occurs first, replacement of the flap actuator 
(except part numbers 978.73.14.101 and 978.73.14.103) is required 
within 350 hours TIS after July 29, 2013, 2013 (the effective date 
retained from AD 2013-11-08) or 6 months after July 29, 2013, 2013 
(the effective date retained from AD 2013-11-08), whichever occurs 
first. Flap actuators with less than 3,500 hours TIS or 7 years 
since new or last overhauled are covered by the airworthiness 
limitations document (ALS) requirement.
    (2) Actions new to this AD for all affected Models PC-6/B2-H2 
and PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes: Before further flight after the effective 
date of this AD incorporate the maintenance requirements as 
specified in Chapter 04-00-00 of the AMM document number 01975, 
issue 19, dated May 31, 2014, of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance 
Manual; into your FAA-accepted maintenance program (maintenance 
manual).
    (3) Actions new to this AD for all affected Models PC-6 other 
than the Models PC-6/B2-H2 and PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes: Before further 
flight after the effective date of this AD incorporate the 
maintenance requirements as

[[Page 56025]]

specified in ALS document number 02334, issue 4, dated May 31, 2014, 
into your FAA-accepted maintenance program (maintenance manual).
    (4) Actions new to this AD for all airplanes:
    (i) For airplanes with Halon Fire Extinguishers that have not 
yet reached the 10 year life limit after the effective date of this 
AD, when the Halon Fire Extinguisher reaches its life limit of 10 
years, before further flight, replace with an airworthy Halon Fire 
Extinguisher following Chapter 04-00-00 of the AMM, document number 
01975, issue 19, dated May 31, 2014, of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance 
Manual; or ALS document number 02334, issue 4, dated May 31, 2014; 
as applicable.
    (ii) For airplanes with Halon Fire Extinguishers that have 
reached the 10 year life limit on or before the effective date of 
this AD, within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD 
or within the next 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace with an airworthy Halon Fire 
Extinguisher following Chapter 04-00-00 of the AMM, document number 
01975, issue 19, dated May 31, 2014, of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance 
Manual; or ALS document number 02334, issue 4, dated May 31, 2014; 
as applicable.
    (iii) Repetitively, after replacing the airplanes Halon Fire 
Extinguisher as required in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) or (f)(4)(ii), 
within 10 years after each last replacement, replace with an 
airworthy Halon Fire Extinguisher.

(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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2014-
0181, dated July 31, 2014, for related information. You may examine 
the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2041-0717. For service information 
related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Liaison 
Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 
80; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com; email: aircraft.com">fodermatt@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 September 12, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22273 Filed 9-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P