[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53761-53763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20933]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2002 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 53761]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model 
PC-6 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
aileron assembly for correct configuration and modify as necessary. 
This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
correct improper aileron assembly configuration, which could result in 
failure of the aileron mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-08-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-08-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed 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 also view this information 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 This 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 to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view 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 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives my Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-08-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 certain Pilatus Model PC-6 airplanes. The 
FOCA reported an instance where unapproved mass balance weights and an 
improper aileron configuration were found on a Model PC-6 airplane. The 
FOCA determined the cause as improper configuration control and 
tracking.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
aileron mass balance weights. Such failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Pilatus has issued Service Bulletin No. 62B, dated May 1967, and 
Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 57-001, dated December 20, 2001.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    These service bulletins include procedures for inspecting the 
aileron assembly for correct configuration and modifying the aileron 
assembly if necessary.

What Action Did the FOCA Take?

    The FOCA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
Swiss AD HB 2002-001, dated February 8, 2002, in order to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Switzerland.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    This airplane model is manufactured in Switzerland and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the

[[Page 53762]]

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 This 
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 Model PC-6 airplanes of the same type design 
that are on the U.S. registry;
--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 This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service information.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

     We estimate that this proposed AD affected 35 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.

What Would be the Cost of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of the 
Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Total cost per
              Labor cost                       Parts cost            airplane      Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhourx$60 per hour=$60...........  No parts required.......             $60  $60x35=$2,100.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost                  Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 workhoursx$60 = $960....................            $419  $419+$960 = $1,379.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

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

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

    This unsafe condition is not a result of the number of times the 
airplane is operated. The chance of this situation occurring is the 
same for an airplane with 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) as it would be 
for a airplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized 
in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on 
all airplanes in a reasonable time period.

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.

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. 2002-CE-08-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model PC-6 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to 
and including 939, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct improper aileron assembly 
configuration, which could result in failure of the aileron mass 
balance weight. Such failure could lead to 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:

[[Page 53763]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                 Compliance           Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the aileron         Within the next    In accordance with
 assembly for proper             30 days after      Pilatus Service
 configuration.                  the effective      Bulletin No. 62B,
                                 date of this AD.   dated May 1967, as
                                                    specified in Pilatus
                                                    PC-6 Service
                                                    Bulletin No. 57-001,
                                                    dated December 20,
                                                    2001.
(2) If the aileron assembly     Prior to further   Modify in accordance
 configuration incorporates      flight after the   with Pilatus Service
 aileron part number (P/N)       inspection         Bulletin No. 62B,
 6106.10.xxx or P/N              required in        dated paragraph May
 6106.0010.xxx, modify the       paragraph (d)(1)   1967. Install the
 assembly in accordance with     of this AD.        placard in
 Pilatus Service Bulletin No.                       accordance with
 62B, dated May 1967, and                           Pilatus PC-6 Service
 install a placard.                                 Bulletin No. 57-001,
                                                    dated December 20,
                                                    2001.
(3) If the aileron assembly     Prior to further   In accordance with
 configuration differs from      flight after the   Pilatus PC-6 Service
 that specified in Pilatus       inspection         Bulletin No. 57-001,
 Service Bulletin No. 62B,       required in        dated December 20,
 dated May 1967, or if the       paragraph (d)(1)   2001.
 part numbers are missing and    of this AD.
 cannot be verified: (i)
 obtain a repair scheme from
 the manufacturer through the
 FAA at the address specified
 in paragraph (f) of this AD;
 and (ii) incorporate this
 repair scheme.
(4) Do not install any aileron  As of the          In accordance with
 assembly unless the             effective date     Pilatus PC-6 Service
 inspection, modification,       of this AD.        Bulletin No. 57-001,
 placard, and repair                                dated December 20,
 requirements (as applicable)                       2001.
 of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2),
 (d)(3), (d)(3)(i), and
 (d)(3)(ii) of this AD are
 accomplished.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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 Standards Office Manager.

    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 get copies of the documents 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 
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 2002-
001, dated February 8, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 2, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20933 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
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