[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3276-3278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1463]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and
PC-12/45 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models
PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing
certain propeller de-icing controllers with ones that are not
susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The proposed AD is
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent improper operation
of the propeller de-icing controller caused by EMI, which could result
in ice build-up on the propeller with possible airplane controllability
problems.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 27, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street,
[[Page 3277]]
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Marketing Support Department, CH-6370
Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41-6196 233; facsimile: +41 41-6103
351. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the
airworthiness authority for Switzerland, notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45
airplanes. The FOCA of Switzerland reports that part number (P/N)
968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) propeller de-icing controllers are
susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). This condition was
identified during component qualification testing at the factory.
This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result
in improper operation of the de-icing controller, leading to ice-
buildup on the propeller with possible airplane controllability
problems.
Relevant Service Information
Pilatus has issued Service Bulletin No. 30-002, dated August 19,
1996, which specifies procedures for identifying an affected propeller
de-icing controller, P/N 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1); serial number
U999 or lower that does not have ``SB30-1'' marked on it, and replacing
this controller with one that is not susceptible to EMI.
The FOCA of Switzerland classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Swiss AD HB 96-416, dated September 30, 1996, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Switzerland.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Switzerland and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA of Switzerland has kept the
FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the FOCA of Switzerland;
reviewed all available information, including the service information
referenced above; and determined that AD action is necessary for
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the
United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed
AD would require replacing certain propeller de-icing controllers with
ones that are not susceptible to EMI. Accomplishment of the proposed
installation would be in accordance with the service information
previously referenced.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 53 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be
provided by the manufacturer free of charge. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $6,360.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
While the condition described in this proposed AD is unsafe while
the airplane is in operation, it is not a direct result of airplane
operation. For example, the unsafe condition exists or could develop on
an airplane with 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) the same as one with
10 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance
based on calendar time should be utilized in the proposed AD in order
to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes in a
reasonable time period.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) if promulgated,
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
[[Page 3278]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd: Docket No. 97-CE-119-AD.
Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial
numbers MSN 101 through MSN 153, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent improper operation of the propeller de-icing
controller caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI), which could
result in ice build-up on the propeller with possible airplane
controllability problems, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 9 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, accomplish the following in accordance with the
instructions in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 30-002, dated August
19, 1996:
(1) Identify the serial number of the affected propeller de-
icing controller, part number (P/N) 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or
FAA-approved equivalent part number);
(2) For those airplanes with a propeller de-icing controller, P/
N 968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part
number), with a serial number of U999 or lower that does not have
``SB30-1'' marked on it, replace it with a P/N 500.50.1.109 (BFG
SB4E3163-1-30-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part number) propeller
de-icing controller.
Note 2: The airplanes affected by this AD could have propeller
de-icing controllers installed that have Parts Manufacturer Approval
(PMA). For those airplanes having PMA parts that are equivalent (PMA
by equivalency) to those referenced in this AD, the phrase ``or FAA-
approved equivalent part number'' means that this AD applies to
airplanes with PMA by equivalency propeller de-icing controllers
installed.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any affected airplane, a propeller de-icing controller, P/N
968.29.13.223 (BFG 4E3163-1) (or FAA-approved equivalent part
number), with a serial number of U999 or lower that does not have
``SB30-1'' marked on it.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut,
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus
Service Bulletin No. 30-002 dated August 19, 1996, should be
directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Marketing Support Department, CH-
6370 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41-6196 233; facsimile: +41
41-6103 351. This service information may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB-96-
416, dated September 30, 1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 14, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1463 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U