[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19963-19966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9983]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and 
PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
the comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise an earlier proposed 
airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The earlier NPRM 
would have required you to repetitively replace the nose landing gear 
(NLG) drag link right-hand part every 4,000 landings until an improved 
design NLG drag link right-hand part is installed. This earlier 
proposed AD would also have required you to install an improved design 
NLG drag link right-hand part as terminating action for the repetitive 
replacements. The earlier NPRM resulted from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Switzerland. The manufacturer has established a more restrictive 
factor that is a better approximation of the fleet usage. Since this 
action imposes an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we 
are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to 
comment on this additional action.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before June 2, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-51-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-51-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Work 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.

[[Page 19964]]

    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
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 proposed 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-51-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 3 aircraft experienced a failure of the nose landing gear 
(NLG) drag link assembly during cruise flight. The actuator attachment 
levers on the right-hand upper drag link part failed. In all cases, the 
NLG fell out due to gravity, and the emergency spring pack extended it 
forward and allowed safe landings
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Structural failure of the NLG drag link right-hand part could result in 
either an unintended NLG extension during flight or the NLG not 
properly locking upon extension. This could lead to loss of airplane 
control during landing operations.
    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 all 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 December 18, 2002 (67 FR 
77442). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively replace the 
nose landing gear (NLG) drag link right-hand part every 4,000 landings 
until an improved design NLG drag link right-hand part is installed. 
The NPRM also proposed to require you to install an improved design NLG 
drag link right-hand part as terminating action for the repetitive 
replacements.
    You would have to accomplish the proposed actions in accordance 
with Service Bulletin No. 32-014, dated August 13, 2002.

Comment Issue No. 1: Landings Factor

    What is the commenter's concern? The commenter requests correction 
of the proposed unknown landings factor (multiply time-in-service (TIS) 
by 0.5). The commenter explains that Pilatus has established for the 
Model PC-12 a factor of 45 minutes per landing (TIS divided by 0.75). 
Pilatus published this factor in Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin 
27-005, dated November 18, 1998, and the FOCA has approved this factor.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the 
commenter. Because revising this factor could increase the burden upon 
those owners/operators who do not keep track of landings, we will 
reopen the comment period and issue a supplemental NPRM.
    Comment Issue No. 2: Correct Version of Temporary Revision No. 32-
14
    What is the commenter's concern? The commenter notes that there are 
two versions of Pilatus Maintenance Manual (MM) Temporary Revision No. 
32-14, both dated June 4, 2002. However, neither is referenced 
differently, except that the older version has eight pages and the 
current version has seven pages. The current seven-paged version is the 
version that was forwarded by the FOCA. This current version shows 
revision bars on pages 4, 6, and 7. The commenter requests identifying 
Temporary Revision No. 32-14 with seven pages as the correct version to 
use for the AD.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the commenter 
and will note the correct version to use.

The Supplemental NPRM

    How will the changes to the NPRM impact the public? The more 
restrictive unknown landings factor (0.75) goes beyond the scope of 
what was earlier proposed and imposes a greater burden on the public. 
Therefore, we are issuing a supplemental NPRM and reopening the comment 
period to allow the public additional time to comment.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed 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 would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 265 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 replacement with the same design part:

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                                                   Total cost per
            Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane              Total cost on U.S. operators
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6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360          $1,000          $1,360  $1,360 x 265 = $360,400.
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[[Page 19965]]

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
replacement with the improved design part:

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                                                   Total cost per
            Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane              Total cost on U.S. operators
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6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360          $2,200          $2,560  $2,560 x 265 = $678,400.
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Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

    What would be the compliance time of this proposed AD? The 
compliance time of this proposed AD is based on the number of landings 
rather than hours TIS.
    Why is the compliance time of this proposed AD presented in 
landings? The reason for this type of compliance is that the area that 
is showing fatigue is the NLG drag link right-hand part. This area of 
the airplane is used during the landing operation. We have determined 
to base the compliance time for this proposed AD upon the number of 
landings.
    Since airplane operators are not required to keep track of 
landings, we will provide a method of calculating hours TIS into 
landings.

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-51-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 structural failure of the nose 
landing gear (NLG) caused by fatigue damage to the NLG drag link 
right-hand part that develops over time. Such failure could result 
in either an unintended NLG extension during flight or the NLG not 
properly locking upon extension, which could lead to loss of 
airplane control during landing operations.
    (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) Replace the nose landing      Upon the            In accordance with
 gear (NLG) drag link right hand   accumulation of     Temporary
 part, part number (P/N)           4,000 landings on   Revision No. 32-
 532.20.12.140 with:               the nose landing    14 (dated June 4,
(i) the same P/N 532.20.12.140     gear (NLG) drag     2002, use version
 or FAA-approved equivalent part   link right-hand     having seven
 number; or.                       part or within      pages) to Pilatus
(ii) improved design NLG drag      the next 100        PC-12 Maintenance
 link right-hand part, P/N         landings after      Manual 32-20-06.
 532.20.12.289.                    the effective
                                   date of this AD,
                                   whichever occurs
                                   later.
                                   Incorporation of
                                   the improved-
                                   design NLG drag
                                   link brace is
                                   terminating
                                   action for this
                                   AD.
---------------------------------
(2) If replacement in paragraph   Upon the            In accordance with
 (d)(1) is with the original       accumulation of     Temporary
 style part, replace with:         4,000 landings.     Revision No. 32-
(i) the same P/N 532.20.12.140     Incorporation of    14 (dated June 4,
 or FAA-approved equivalent part   improved-design     2002, use version
 number; or.                       NLG drag link       having seven
(ii) improved design NLG drag      brace is            pages) to Pilatus
 link right-hand part, P/N         terminating         PC-12 Maintenance
 532.20.12.289.                    action for this     Manual 32-20-06.
                                   AD.
---------------------------------
(3) Unless already accomplished   At the third        In accordance with
 per paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2),   replacement         Pilatus Aircraft
 replace the NLG drag link right-  required in         Ltd. Service
 hand part, P/N 532.20.12.140,     paragraph (d)(2)    Bulletin No. 32-
 with an improved design NLG       of this AD.         014, dated August
 drag link right-hand part, P/N                        13, 2002, and the
 532.20.12.289 or FAA-approved                         applicable
 equivalent part number.                               maintenance
 Installing the improved part                          manual.
 terminates the repetitive
 replacement requirements of
 paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
---------------------------------

[[Page 19966]]

 
(4) Do not install, on any        When an improved P/ Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, an NLG drag    N 532.20.12.289
 link right-hand part that is      NLG drag link
 not P/N 532.20.12.289 or FAA-     part is installed
 approved equivalent part number.  after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What if I do not keep track of landings? The compliance 
times of this AD are presented in landings instead of hours time-in-
service (TIS). If landings are not known, hours TIS may be used by 
dividing the numbers of hours TIS by the unknown landings factor 
(0.75).

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, 3,000 hours TIS would be 
equivalent to 4,000 landings (3,000 hours/0.75 = 4,000 landings).

    (f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, 
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.13. Send these requests to the 
Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. 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 for information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (g) 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 2002-271, dated June 17, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9983 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P