Document ID: FAA-2015-2775-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-07-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40949-40951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17205]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2775; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-021-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, PC-12/45, and 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 a malfunction of 
the universal joint. 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 August 28, 2015.

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

[[Page 40950]]

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 Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; 
email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://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-2015-
2775; 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-2015-2775; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-021-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 AD 
No.: 2015-0111, dated June 16, 2015 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    A case of malfunctioning was reported of a universal joint 
installed between the control tube assembly and the control column 
on a PC-12/47E aeroplane.
    Investigation determined that the malfunction was caused by an 
incorrectly manufactured universal joint. Universal joints from the 
same manufacturing batch were provided to operators between 01 March 
2014 and 28 February 2015, and are thus potentially affected.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to other cases of 
malfunctioning of a universal joint, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 27-022 to provide instructions 
for replacement of the universal joints in the flight controls.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires removal from 
service of the potentially incorrectly manufactured universal 
joints.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-2775.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Pilatus Aircraft Limited has issued PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin 
No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015. The PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin 
No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015, describes procedures for replacement 
of the universal joint on the aileron control system. 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 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 55 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours 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 $1,000 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $69,025 or $1,255 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 40951]]

    (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-2015-2775; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-CE-021-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 28, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, 
and PC-12/47E airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 244, 307, 409, 
646, 1447 through 1450, 1461, 1462, 1466 through 1514, 1516 through 
1520, and 1523, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    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 malfunction of 
the universal joint. We are issuing this proposed AD to replace 
defective aileron control system universal joints.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes equipped with aileron control system universal 
joints part number (P/N) 944.61.73.012 or P/N 527.10.12.195, 
purchased between March 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015; or universal 
joints installed in service through an aileron control system 
inspection kit P/N 500.50.12.314, purchased between March 1, 2014, 
and February 28, 2015, do one of the following actions as 
applicable:
    (i) For airplanes with less than 200 flight cycles since first 
flight of the airplane or less than 200 flight cycles since 
installation of an affected universal joint or inspection kit, 
whichever applies: Within 10 flight cycles after the effective date 
of this AD or 3 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace with a new universal joint P/N 
527.10.12.195 purchased after March 1, 2015, and marked with a 
placard ``RT iO'' following the Accomplishment Instructions in 
PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015.
    (ii) For airplanes with 200 flight cycles or more since first 
flight of the airplane or 200 flight cycles or more since 
installation of an affected universal joint or inspection kit, 
whichever applies: Within 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD, replace with a new universal joint P/N 527.10.12.195 purchased 
after March 1, 2015, and marked with a placard ``RT iO'' following 
the Accomplishment Instructions in PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin 
No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015.
    (iii) For all airplanes where total flight cycles are not 
tracked: The conversion formula is one flight cycle equals one 
flight hour.
    (2) For all airplanes: After the effective date of this AD, do 
not install the following parts on any airplane after the 
modification of the airplane as required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and 
(f)(1)(ii) of this AD or any airplane that does not have an affected 
part installed:
    (i) A universal joint P/N 944.61.73.012 or P/N 527.10.12.195 
(except for a P/N 527.10.12.195 marked with a placard ``RT iO'').
    (ii) Inspection kit P/N 500.50.12.314 purchased between March 1, 
2014, and February 28, 2015.

(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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0111, dated June 16, 2015. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-2775. For service information related to this 
AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD, Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 
STANS, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 
73 11; email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://
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 July 7, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2015-17205 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P