[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55503-55504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27331]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-69-AD; Amendment 39-10835; AD 98-21-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and 
PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes that are equipped with the ``corporate commuter cabin 
layout.'' This layout is a Pilatus designation only and the affected 
airplanes are not certificated for commuter operation. This AD requires 
modifying the passenger seats and seat rail covers. 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 passenger injuries because the 
passenger seat configuration has been found to not fully meet current 
head injury criteria regulations.

DATES: Effective November 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 26, 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 62 33; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. 
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-69-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, 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 Pilatus Models PC-12 
and PC-12/45 airplanes that are equipped with the ``corporate commuter 
cabin layout'' was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 31, 1998 (63 FR 40845). This 
``corporate commuter cabin layout'' is a Pilatus designation only and 
the affected airplanes are not certificated for commuter operation. The 
NPRM proposed to require modifying the passenger seats and seat rail 
covers. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-006, dated 
April 7, 1998.
    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 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the modification, 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 $5,280, or $480 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:

98-21-27  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-10835; Docket No. 98-
CE-69-AD.

    Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer 
serial numbers (MSN) 101 through MSN 230, certificated in any 
category, that are equipped with the ``corporate commuter cabin 
layout.''

    Note 1: This ``corporate commuter cabin layout'' is a Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd. designation only and the affected airplanes are not 
certificated for commuter operation.

[[Page 55504]]

    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 (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 passenger injuries because the passenger seat 
configuration does not fully meet current head injury criteria 
regulations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the passenger seats and seat rail 
covers in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of 
Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-006, dated April 7, 1998.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, passenger seats and seat rail covers that 
are not modified in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-006, dated April 7, 1998.
    (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 times 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. 25-006, dated April 7, 1998, should be directed 
to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 62 33; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 
51. 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.
    (f) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 25-006, 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., 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 98-
179, dated June 15, 1998.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 5, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27331 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P