[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19175-19176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10058]
[[Page 19175]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-130-AD; Amendment 39-10471; AD 98-08-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-7
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the elevator and rudder
attachment brackets for cracks and/or corrosion, and repairing or
replacing any cracked or corrosion-damaged parts, as applicable. This
AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
elevator and rudder attachment brackets because of cracks or corrosion
damage, which could result in the elevator and/or rudder separating
from the airplane with consequent loss of airplane control.
DATES: Effective May 31, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 31, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6509; facsimile: +41 41 610 3351.
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-130-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, 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:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus PC-7
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on January 20, 1998 (63 FR 2911). The NPRM proposed
to require inspecting the elevator and rudder attachment brackets for
cracks and/or corrosion, and repairing or replacing any cracked or
corrosion-damaged parts, as applicable. Accomplishment of the proposed
action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Pilatus
Service Bulletin No. 55-002, dated November 7, 1997.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Switzerland.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the inspection required by this AD, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Inspection kits cost
approximately $106 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,208, or $526
per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does 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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-08-22 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-10471; Docket No. 97-
CE-130-AD.
Applicability: Model PC-7 airplanes, serial numbers MSN 001
through MSN 612, 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 failure of the elevator and rudder attachment
brackets because of cracks
[[Page 19176]]
or corrosion damage, which could result in the elevator and/or
rudder separating from the airplane with consequent loss of airplane
control, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the elevator and rudder
attachment brackets for cracks and/or corrosion in accordance with
Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 55-002, dated November 7, 1997.
(b) If cracked or corrosion-damaged parts are found during the
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further
flight, repair or replace any cracked or corrosion-damaged parts, as
specified in and in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 55-
002, dated November 7, 1997.
(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 2: 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. 55-002, dated November 7, 1997, should be
directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371
Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6509; facsimile: +41 41
610 3351. 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.
(f) The inspection, repair, and replacement required by this AD
shall be done in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 55-
002, dated November 7, 1997. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 31, 998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10058 Filed 4-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U