[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29102-29103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-38-AD; Amendment 39-10545; AD 98-11-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and 
PC-12/45 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) Models PC-12 and PC-
12/45 airplanes that incorporate an executive cabin layout. This AD 
requires modifying the lavatory wall and passenger seat configuration. 
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 head injuries 
during an airplane crash because the lavatory wall and passenger seat 
configuration do not meet current head injury criteria regulations.

DATES: Effective July 13, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-38-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, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 
(816) 426-6934; 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 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes that incorporate an executive cabin 
layout was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on March 24, 1998 (63 FR 14043). The NPRM proposed to 
require modifying the lavatory wall and passenger seat configuration. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-003, dated May 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.
    Since the issuance of the NPRM, Pilatus has revised Service 
Bulletin No. 25-003 (Rev. 1, dated April 7, 1998) to incorporate minor 
changes to clarify the situation. There are no technical changes 
involved.

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 
the addition of the revised service information and minor editorial 
corrections. The FAA has determined that this addition and these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any

[[Page 29103]]

additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 40 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 workhours to 
accomplish these actions, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer 
at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $36,000, or $900 per airplane. These figures are based 
on the presumption that no affected airplanes have these modifications 
incorporated.
    Pilatus has informed the FAA that all 40 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry have these modifications incorporated. With this in mind, this 
AD imposes no cost impact upon the public.

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:

98-11-20  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-10545; Docket No. 97-
CE-38-AD.

    Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial 
numbers MSN 101 through 180, certificated in any category, that 
incorporate an executive cabin layout.

    Note 1: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes that incorporate a 
corporate-utility cabin layout are not affected by this AD.
    Note 2: 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 (c) 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent head injuries during an airplane crash because the 
lavatory wall and passenger seat configuration do not meet current 
head injury criteria regulations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the lavatory wall and passenger seat configuration in 
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-003, dated May 7, 
1997, or Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-003, Rev. 1, dated April 7, 
1998.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus 
Service Bulletin No. 25-003, dated May 7, 1997, or Pilatus Service 
Bulletin No. 25-003, Rev. 1, dated April 7, 1998, 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.
    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-003, dated May 7, 
1997, or Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-003, Rev. 1, dated April 7, 
1998. 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., 
Marketing Support Department, CH-6370 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 97-
249, dated May 31, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 13, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 18, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13924 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P