[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6376-6378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-02-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 certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models 
PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
replace certain push switch caps on the electrical power management 
overhead panel with parts of improved design. 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 prevent the inability to operate 
the switch, which could result in failure to activate the related 
operational system. Such failure could adversely affect the operation 
and control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any

[[Page 6377]]

comments on this proposed rule on or before March 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-02-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 1 electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-02-
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 proposed rule. 
You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date 
of the proposed 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. 2003-CE-02-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 Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA 
reports that certain push switch cap spigots on the electrical power 
management overhead panel have failed to activate their related 
operational system when engaged. The plastic these push switch cap 
spigots are made of is not strong enough and causes the switch cap 
spigots to break when engaged. The defective switch caps have the 
caption of ON, OPEN, or have no caption or symbol located on the 
electrical power management overhead panel, part number 972.81.32.102, 
that has not been modified to Mod A status.
    The FOCA has reported the following three incidents in which the 
switch failed to activate its related operational system when engaged:

--Inability to switch the probe heating on;
--Inability to open the Inertial Separator; and
--Inability to switch the Taxi Light on.

    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure to activate 
certain operational systems. Such failure could result in adverse 
operation and control of the airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus 
has issued Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 31-003, dated September 
27, 2002.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for replacing certain push switch caps on 
the electrical power management overhead panel with parts of improved 
design.
    What action did the FOCA take? The FOCA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swiss AD Number HB 2002-659, dated 
November 30, 2002, in order to ensure 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 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 PC-12 and PC-12/45 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 
bulletin.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 45 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed replacements:

[[Page 6378]]



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                                                        Total cost
           Labor cost                  Parts cost          per              Total cost on U.S. operators
                                                         airplane
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3 workhours x $60 = $180........  The manufacturer            $180  $180 x 45 = $8,100.
                                   will provide
                                   replacement parts
                                   free of charge.
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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. 2003-CE-02-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSN) 321, 401 through 457, and 463 that:
    (1) Have an overhead panel, part number (P/N) 972.81.32.102 (or 
FAA-approved equivalent part number), installed that has not been 
modified to Mod A status; and
    (2) 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 prevent the inability to activate certain 
operational systems. Such failure could adversely affect the 
operation and control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following, unless 
already accomplished:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Replace all switch caps   Within the next 100   In accordance with
 that have a caption of ON,    hours time-in-        Pilatus PC12
 OPEN, and ones with no        service after the     Service Bulletin
 caption or symbol on them.    effective date of     No. 31-003, dated
                               this AD.              September 27, 2002.
(2) Using a permanent         Prior to further      In accordance with
 marker, mark MOD Status A     flight after          Pilatus PC12
 on the overhead panel         completing the        Service Bulletin
 identification label.         actions required in   No. 31-003, dated
                               paragraph (d)(2) of   September 27, 2002.
                               this AD.
(3) Do not install an         As of the effective   In accordance with
 overhead panel, P/N           date of this AD.      Pilatus PC12
 972.81.32.102, unless it                            Service Bulletin
 has been modified to Mod A                          No. 31-003, dated
 status.                                             September 27, 2002.
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    (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.

    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 5 (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 Number 
HB 2002-659, dated November 30, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 29, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2994 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P