[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 2, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44297-44300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-35-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the left and 
right main landing gear (MLG) assemblies for any part number (P/N) 
532.10.12.077 bolts that do not have white primed and painted heads; 
and replace any bolt found with new P/N 532.10.12.077F bolts in all MLG 
assemblies. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Switzerland. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct 
any P/N 532.10.12.077 bolts that do not have white primed and painted 
heads, which could result in corrosion of the bolt and consequent 
failure of the bolt. This failure could lead to MLG collapse during 
airplane landing and take-off operations with consequent loss of 
airplane control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 31, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 619 7311; e-
mail: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com or from Pilatus Business 
Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, 
Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099; facsimile: (303) 
465-6040.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
This is docket number FAA-2005-21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
35-AD.

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:

[[Page 44298]]

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-35-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone 
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
35-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern time), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on the plaza 
level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the street 
address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available in the 
AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

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 part number (P/N) 532.10.12.077 bolts that do not have white 
primed and painted heads are subject to corrosion. These bolts attach 
the hydraulic actuators to the left and right main landing gear (MLG) 
assemblies. The FOCA further reports the separation of a bolt head in 
an MLG assembly has occurred due to corrosion. The corrosion occurred 
because the bolt head was not primed and painted.
    Pilatus has designed and produced a new bolt (P/N 532.10.077F) as 
part of Modification Kit No. 500.50.12.299 to replace the subject bolt. 
Pilatus recommends the replacement of bolts in pairs.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Corrosion of 
the bolt could lead to MLG collapse during airplane landing and take-
off operations with consequent loss of airplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus 
has issued Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 32-018, dated May 2, 2005.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Inspecting the MLG assemblies to find P/N 532.10.12.077 bolts that do 
not have white primed and painted heads; and
--Replacing any P/N 532.10.12.077 bolts that do not have primed and 
painted heads with new P/N 532.10.077F bolts in all MLG assemblies.

    What action did the FOCA take? The FOCA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swiss AD Number HB-2005-288, dated 
June 29, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in Switzerland.
    Did the FOCA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have examined the FOCA's findings, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes of the 
same type design that are registered in the United States, we are 
proposing AD action to detect and correct any P/N 532.10.12.077 bolts 
that do not have white primed and painted heads, which could result in 
corrosion of the bolt and consequent failure of the bolt. This failure 
could lead to MLG collapse during airplane landing and take-off 
operations with consequent loss of airplane control.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 350 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 
do this proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                              Parts cost               airplaine      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65.............  Not applicable.................              $65          $22,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 44299]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary single bolt 
replacement (using Modification Kit No. 500.50.12.299) that would be 
required based on the results of this proposed inspection. We have no 
way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this bolt 
replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
           Labor cost                  Parts cost            airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work hours x $65 per hour =    $1,000 estimate for              $1,195
 $195.                            each Modification Kit
                                  No. 500.50.12.299.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pilatus will provide warranty credit for inspecting and replacing 
the specified bolts to the extent stated in the service information.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
(and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket FAA-2005-21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-35-AD'' in 
your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2005-21835; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-35-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by August 31, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, 
Manufacturers Serial Numbers (MSN) 101 through 620, that are 
certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect 
and correct any part number (P/N) 532.10.12.077 bolts that do not 
have white primed and painted heads, which could result in corrosion 
of the bolt and consequent failure of the bolt. This failure of the 
bolt could lead to main landing gear (MLG) collapse during airplane 
landing and take-off operations with consequent loss of airplane 
control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the main landing  Within the next 100   Follow Pilatus PC12
 gear (MLG) assemblies, part   hours time-in-        Service Bulletin
 number (P/N) 532.10.12.049    service (TIS) or 90   No. 32-018, dated
 and P/N 532.10.12.050, for    days after the        May 2, 2005.
 any P/N 532.10.12.077 bolts   effective date of
 that do not have white        this AD, whichever
 primed and painted heads.     occurs first,
                               unless already done.
(2) Replace any P/N           Before further        Follow Pilatus PC12
 532.10.12.077 bolts that do   flight after the      Service Bulletin
 not have white primed and     inspection required   No. 32-018, dated
 painted heads found as a      by paragraph (e)(1)   May 2, 2005.
 result of the inspection      of this AD.
 required by paragraph
 (e)(1) of this AD. Replace
 with new bolts (new P/N
 532.10.077F or FAA-approved
 equivalent part number) in
 both MLG assemblies.

[[Page 44300]]

 
(3) Do not install:.........  As of the effective   Not Applicable.
(i) Any P/N 532.10.12.077      date of this AD.
 bolt that does not have a
 white primed and painted
 head in any MLG assembly (P/
 N 532.10.12.049 or P/N
 532.10.12.050); and.
(ii) Any MLG assembly (P/N
 532.10.12.049 or P/N
 532.10.12.050) that does
 not have P/N 532.10.12.077
 bolts with white primed and
 painted heads..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The FAA recommends that you return any removed bolts to Pilatus.

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) Swiss AD Number HB-2005-288, dated June 29, 2005, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 
Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 
619 7311; e-mail: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com or from Pilatus 
Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport 
Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099; 
facsimile: (303) 465-6040. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number FAA-2005-
21835; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-35-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 25, 2005.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15181 Filed 8-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P