[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48914-48918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16528]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-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 determine (maintenance 
records check and/or inspection) whether certain nose landing gear 
(NLG), main landing gear (MLG), and MLG shock absorber assemblies with 
a serial number beginning with ``AM'' are installed, and, if installed, 
would require you to replace them with ones without the ``AM.'' This 
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct the 
NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies that are affected by 
hydrogen embrittlement, which could result in failure of the landing 
gear. This failure could lead to nose or main landing gear collapse 
during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by September 
23, 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.

[[Page 48915]]

     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-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
41-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:

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-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-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-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
41-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 Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that 
some components of the main landing gear (MLG), nose landing gear 
(NLG), and MLG shock absorber assemblies have the potential to fail 
during operation.
    Investigations revealed that an improper cadmium plating process 
applied to the high strength steel part causes the problem. This can 
result in hydrogen embrittlement. Affected are only components that are 
installed on MLG, NLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies, with serial 
numbers that start with the letters ``AM.'' Components in this 
condition can experience a decreased fatigue life.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the 
nose or main landing gear could lead to nose or main landing gear 
collapse during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus 
has issued Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 32-016, dated March 11, 
2004.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Checking to identify NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies with 
serial numbers that start with the letters AM; and
--Replacing, if necessary, specified components in all NLG, MLG, and 
MLG shock absorber assemblies which have serial numbers that start with 
the letters AM.

    What action did the FOCA take? The FOCA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Swiss AD Number HB-2005-168, dated May 
3, 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 the NLG, MLG, and MLG shock 
absorber assemblies that are affected by hydrogen embrittlement which 
could result in failure of the landing gear. This failure could lead to 
nose or main landing gear collapse during operation with consequent 
loss of airplane control.
    Even though the serial number effectivity of the FOCA AD and 
Pilatus service bulletin only includes MSN 101 through MSN 471 and MSN 
473 through MSN 482, FAA believes that, although the practice of 
swapping of parts, components, and assemblies is rare, it is still 
possible. Therefore, we are proposing that the effectivity include 
Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45

[[Page 48916]]

airplanes with MSN 101 through MSN 625.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to determine (maintenance records check and/or inspection) whether 
certain NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies with a serial 
number beginning with ``AM'' are installed, and, if installed, would 
require you to replace them with ones without the ``AM.''
    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 the proposed check of the logbook to identify NLG, MLG, and MLG 
shock absorber assemblies with serial numbers that start with the 
letters AM:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost per
          Labor cost                     Parts cost             airplane        Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour =    Not applicable.............           $65.   350 x $65 = $22,750.
 $65.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary inspection and 
replacement of all possible NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies 
that would be required based on the results of this proposed check of 
the logbook. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total cost per
         Labor cost                Parts cost             airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41 work hours x $65 per hour  $3,800 for the NLG    $2,665 + $3,800 +
 = $2,665.                     kit, $850 for the     $850 + $2,600 =
                               MLG kit, and $2,600   $9,915.
                               for the MLG shock
                               absorber assembly
                               kit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pilatus will provide warranty credit for replacing the specified 
assemblies 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-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-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-2005-22018; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-41-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 September 23, 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, 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 101 through MSN 625, 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 the nose

[[Page 48917]]

landing gear (NLG), main landing gear (MLG), and MLG shock absorber 
assemblies that are affected by hydrogen embrittlement, which could 
result in failure of the landing gear. This failure could lead to 
nose or main landing gear collapse during operation 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) Maintenance Records Check:..  Within the next     No special
(i) For MSN 101 through MSN 471    100 hours time-in-  procedures
 and MSN 473 through MSN 482:      service (TIS) or    necessary to
 Check the maintenance records     12 calendar         check the
 to determine whether the          months after the    maintenance
 following replacements have       effective date of   records.
 been made:.                       this AD,
(A) Nose landing gear (NLG)        whichever occurs
 assemblies, part number (P/N)     first, unless
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             already done.
 532.20.12.039 with serial
 numbers (S/N) AM 001 through AM
 045 and AM 048 through AM 054;.
(B) Main landing gear (MLG)
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.049
 and P/N 532.10.12.050 with S/N
 AM 001 thru AM 027, AM 029
 through AM 045, AM 047 through
 AM 050, AM 052, and AM 053; and.
(C) MLG shock absorber
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with S/N AM 001 through AM 017,
 AM 019, AM 021 through AM 063,
 AM 065 through AM 070, AM 072
 through AM 074, AM 080, AM 084,
 AM 086, AM 089, AM 090, AM 093
 through AM 096, AM 099, AM 103
 through AM 107
(ii) For MSN 472 and MSN 483
 through MSN 625: Verify that
 the S/N parts identified in
 paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(A),
 (e)(1)(i)(B), and (e)(1)(i)(C)
 of this AD have not been
 installed
(iii) The owner/operator holding
 at least a private pilot
 certificate as authorized by
 section 43.7 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
 43.7) may make this check. You
 must make an entry into the
 aircraft records that shows
 compliance with this portion of
 the AD in accordance with
 section 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
 43.9)
(2) If you find as a result of    Within the next     Follow Pilatus
 the check required by paragraph   100 hours time-in-  PC12 Service
 (e)(1)(i) of this AD that there   service (TIS) or    Bulletin No. 32-
 is no record of the specified     12 calendar         016, dated March
 assembly replacement, or as a     months after the    11, 2004.
 result of the check required by   effective date of
 paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD   this AD,
 that parts have been installed    whichever occurs
 in the service, then inspect:     first, unless
(i) The NLG assemblies, P/N        already done.
 532.20.12.038 and P/N
 532.20.12.039, for any S/N that
 starts with AM 001 through AM
 045 and AM 048 through AM 054.
(ii) The MLG assemblies, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, for any S/N that
 starts with AM 001 thru AM 027,
 AM 029 through AM 045, AM 047
 through AM 050, AM 052, and AM
 053.
(iii) The MLG shock absorber
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 for any S/N that starts with AM
 001 through AM 017, AM 019, AM
 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, and AM 103
 through AM 107
(iv) You may choose to do the
 inspection without doing the
 maintenance records check
(3) If during the inspection      Before further      Follow Pilatus
 required by paragraph (e)(2) of   flight after the    PC12 Service
 this AD, you find:.               inspection          Bulletin No. 32-
(i) Any NLG assembly, P/N          required by         016, dated March
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             paragraph (e)(2)    11, 2004.
 532.20.12.039, with any S/N       of this AD.
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 045 or AM 048 through AM
 054, replace the NLG specific
 components with new components.
(ii) Any MLG assembly, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, with any S/N
 that starts with AM 001 thru AM
 027, AM 029 through AM 045, AM
 047 through AM 050, AM 052, or
 AM 053, replace the MLG
 specific components with new
 components.
(iii) Any MLG shock absorber
 assembly, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with any S/N that starts with
 AM 001 through AM 017, AM 019,
 AM 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, or AM 103
 through AM 107, replace the MLG
 shock absorber specific
 components with new components
(4) Do not install:.............  As of the           Not Applicable.
(i) Any NLG assembly, P/N          effective date of
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             this AD.
 532.20.12.039, with any S/N
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 045 or AM 048 AD. through AM
 054.
(ii) Any MLG assembly, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, with any S/N
 that starts with AM 001 thru AM
 027, AM 029 through AM 045, AM
 047 through AM 050, AM 052, or
 AM 053

[[Page 48918]]

 
(iii) Any MLG shock absorber
 assembly, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with any S/N that starts with
 AM 001 through AM 017, AM 019,
 AM 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, or AM 103
 through AM 107
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: AD 2002-14-22, issued on July 8, 2002 (67 FR 46582), and 
AD 2004-06-05, issued on March 15, 2004 (69 FR 13712), are still 
applicable.


    Note 2: The FAA recommends that you send any removed parts or 
assemblies 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-2005-168, dated May 3, 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-2005-22018; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-41-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 16, 2005.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16528 Filed 8-19-05; 8:45 am]
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