[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 22, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44093-44095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-24-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 all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-
12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The proposed AD would require you to inspect 
the cargo doors to identify front and rear end frames with plain 
lightening holes and install reinforcing plates on any frame with plain 
lightening holes. 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 cracking at the edges of the unflanged lightening holes, 
which could result in major structural damage to the airplane. Such 
damage could result in possible loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-24-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, 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., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224; 
or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 
11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-
9099; facsimile: (303) 465-6040. This information also may be examined 
at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on the proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on 
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all comments received on or 
before the closing date. We may amend the proposed rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional 
rulemaking action.
    Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in 
the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of the proposed AD.
    We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on 
whether the style of this document is clear, and any other suggestions 
you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect 
you. You can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and 
the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket

[[Page 44094]]

No. 2001-CE-24-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to 
you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Federal Office for 
Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on all Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports 
that, during production, some PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes were 
equipped with cargo doors that do not have reinforcing flanges on the 
lightening holes in the front and rear end of the cargo door frames.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If not 
detected and corrected, cracking at the edges of the unflanged 
lightening holes could result in major structural damage to the 
airplane. Such damage could result in possible loss of control of the 
airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus 
has issued Service Bulletin No. 52-004, dated April 20, 2001.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:
    --Inspecting the cargo doors to identify front and rear end frames 
with plain lightening holes; and
    --Installing reinforcing plates on any frame with plain lightening 
holes.
    What action did FOCA take? The FOCA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swiss AD Number HB 2001-389, dated 
June 25, 2001, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Switzerland.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These airplane models are manufactured in Switzerland and are 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 has kept FAA informed of 
the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the 
FOCA; reviewed all available information, including the service 
information referenced above; and determined that:
    --The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes of the same type 
design;
    --The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
    --AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.
    What would the proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    The Swiss AD and the manufacturer's service information applies to 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 301 through 370 and all part-number 
(P/N) 552.30.12.051 and P/N 552.30.12.052, held as spares. We are 
expanding the applicability of this proposed AD to all serial numbered 
airplanes. We are expanding the inspection and installation actions to 
cover MSN 101 through MSN 370, instead of MSN 301 through MSN 370, 
because these cargo doors may have been installed on MSN 101 through 
MSN 370 through field approval or other methods. Since cargo doors, 
part-number P/N 552.30.12.051 and P/N 552.30.12.052, held as spares, 
may be installed on airplanes not covered by the applicability of the 
service information, the cargo doors on all serial numbered airplanes 
would have to be inspected and modified if necessary, prior to 
installation.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would the proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
the proposed AD affects 230 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                               Parts cost                airplane     U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60.............  No parts required for the                    $60        $13,800.
                                                 inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
modifications that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need such modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =      Provided by the                $120.
 $120.                               manufacturer free
                                     of charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations 
proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 44095]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. 2001-CE-24-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent cracking at the edges of the 
unflanged lightening holes, which could result in major structural 
damage to the airplane. Such damage could result in possible loss of 
control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For manufacturer serial   Within the next 50    In accordance the
 numbers (MSN) 101 through     hours time-in-        with Accomplishment
 370, inspect the front and    service (TIS) after   Instructions
 rear frames of the cargo      the effective date    section of Pilatus
 door for lightening holes     of this AD.           Service Bulletin
 with plain rims.                                    No. 52-004,
                                                     datedApril 20,
                                                     2001.
(2) If, during the            Prior to further      In accordance with
 inspection required in        flight after the      the Accomplishment
 paragraph (d)(1) of this      inspection required   Instructions
 AD, a plain rim is found,     in paragraph (d)(1)   section of Pilatus
 install a reinforcing plate.  of this AD.           Service Bulletin
                                                     No. 52-004, dated
                                                     April 20, 2001.
(3) For all serial numbered    As of the effective  In accordance with
 airplanes, do not install     date of this AD.      the Accomplishment
 any cargo door, part-number                         Instructions
 (P/N) 552.30.12.051 or P/N                          section of Pilatus
 552.30.12.052 (or FAA-                              Service Bulletin
 approved equivalent part                            No. 52-004, dated
 number), unless it is has                           April 20, 2001.
 been inspected as required
 in paragraph (d)(1) of this
 AD and modified as required
 in paragraph (d)(2) of this
 AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support 
Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021. You may 
examine these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 2001-
389, dated June 25, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 16, 2001.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21140 Filed 8-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P