[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14632-14634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6911]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-12687; AD 2002-06-10]
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. This AD requires you to replace the metered connector 
and oxygen tubing and related components in the rear seat bench. 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 correct the potential for 
insufficient oxygen quantity that is available to occupants of the rear 
seat bench in some emergency conditions. This condition could result in 
reduced occupant safety at the rear bench seat location.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 6, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 
6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
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. You may view this information at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-07-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, 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: 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:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This 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 certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes. The FOCA reports that, because of a design problem, the flow 
of oxygen to each occupant on the rear seat bench is insufficient. The 
current configuration uses two-metered connectors, which restricts the 
flow of oxygen.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    If not corrected, insufficient oxygen quantity that is available to 
occupants of the rear seat bench in some emergency conditions could 
occur. This condition could result in reduced occupant safety at the 
rear bench seat location.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued 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. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on January 2, 2002 (67 FR 29). The NPRM proposed to require you 
to replace the two-metered connector and oxygen tubing with a system 
that incorporates a single-metered connector in the rear seat bench.

[[Page 14633]]

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                Labor cost                            Parts cost                 airplane        U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours at $60 per hour = $120........  Pilatus will provide free                    $120               $600
                                             parts.
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Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 30 calendar 
days after the effective date of this AD''.

Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours 
Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    The oxygen flow on the rear bench seat is reduced through two 
metered connectors when only one reduction is necessary. Because these 
parts of poor design could have been installed in the field or at the 
factory, the problem has the same chance of occurring on an airplane 
with 50 hours TIS as one with 1,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we believe 
that 30 calendar days will:
--Ensure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected for a long 
period of time on the affected airplanes; and
--Not inadvertently ground any of the affected airplanes.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-06-10  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-12687; Docket No. 
2001-CE-07-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers with rear bench seats 
(part number 525.22.12.016) installed, that are certificated in any 
category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC-12 and PC-12/45........................  From 101 through 365
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 correct the potential for insufficient 
oxygen quantity that is available to occupants of the rear seat 
bench in some emergency conditions. This condition could result in 
reduced occupant safety at the rear bench seat location.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Remove the oxygen tubing  Within the next 30    Follow the
 and connector assembly, the   days after May 6,     ACCOMPLISHMENT
 oxygen tubing support         2002 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
 bracket and grommet           date of this AD),     section of Pilatus
 assembly, and the hose        unless already        Aircraft Ltd. PC-12
 clamp (or FAA-approved        accomplished.         Service Bulletin
 equivalent parts) from the                          No. 35-002, dated
 rear bench seat (part                               December 19, 2000.
 number 525.22.12.016).
 Replace these parts with
 parts of improved design as
 specified in the service
 bulletin (or FAA-approved
 equivalent parts).

[[Page 14634]]

 
(2) Do not install any of     As of May 6, 2002     As specified in
 the components referenced     (the effective date   (Pilatus Aircraft
 in paragraph (d)(1) of this   of this AD).          Ltd., PC-12 Service
 AD unless they are of                               Bulletin No. 35-
 improved design as                                  002, dated December
 specified in the service                            19, 2000.
 bulletin (or FAA-approved
 equivalent parts).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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, Standards Office, 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, Standards Office, 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 35-002, dated 
December 19, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You can get copies 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 can look at copies at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 2001-
001, dated December 28, 2000.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on May 6, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 14, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6911 Filed 3-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P