[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16948-16950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8198]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-13106; AD 2003-07-10]
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 certain push switch 
caps on the electrical power management overhead panel with parts of 
improved design. 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 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: This AD becomes effective on May 12, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 
12, 2003.

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. 2003-CE-02-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 
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

[[Page 16949]]

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 is the potential impact if FAA took no action? 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.
    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 February 7, 2003 (68 FR 
6376). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace certain push switch 
caps on the electrical power management overhead panel with parts of 
improved design.
    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? We carefully 
reviewed all available information related to the subject presented 
above and determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the changes discussed 
above and minor editorial questions. We have determined that these 
changes and 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.

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of 
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included 
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 45 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
             Labor cost                      Parts cost            airplane       Total cost on  U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $60 = $180............  The manufacturer will              $180   $180 x 45 = $8,100
                                       provide replacement
                                       parts free of charge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-07-10 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-13106; 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 May     Service Bulletin
 caption or symbol on them.    12, 2003 (the         No. 31-003, dated
                               effective date of     September 27, 2002.
                               this AD).

[[Page 16950]]

 
(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)(1) of   September 27, 2002.
                               this AD.
(3) Do not install an         As of May 12, 2003    In accordance with
 overhead panel, P/N           (the effective date   Pilatus PC12
 972.81.32.102, unless it      of the AD).           Service Bulletin
 has been modified to Mod A                          No. 31-003, dated
 status.                                             September 27, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, use 
the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the Manager, 
Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For information on 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.
    (f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 31-003, dated September 27, 
2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies 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 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: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD Number HB 
2002-659, dated November 30, 2002.

    (g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on May 12, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 28, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8198 Filed 4-7-03; 8:45 am]
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