[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20597-20599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5980]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-
6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, 
PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, 
and PC-6/C1-H2 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-21-
08, which applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-6 
airplanes. AD 2002-21-08 currently requires you to inspect the aileron 
assembly for correct configuration and modify as necessary. Since we 
issued AD 2002-21-08, the FAA determined the action should also apply 
to all the models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type 
certification data sheet of Type Certificate (TC) No. 7A15 that are 
produced in the United States through a licensing agreement between 
Pilatus and Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild 
Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation). In 
addition, the intent of the applicability of AD 2002-21-08 was to apply 
to all the affected serial numbers of the airplane models listed in TC 
No. 7A15. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain all the actions 
of AD 2002-21-08, would add those Fairchild Republic Company airplanes 
to the applicability of this proposed AD, and would list out the 
individual specific airplane models. We are proposing this AD to 
correct improper aileron assembly configuration, which could result in 
failure of the aileron mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment 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 20590-0001.
     Fax: (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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224.

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

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those 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 we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The report of an unapproved mass balance weight installation and an 
improper aileron configuration (a result of improper configuration 
control and tracking) on Pilatus Model PC-6 airplanes caused us to 
issue AD 2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914 (67 FR 64520, October 21, 
2002). AD 2002-21-

[[Page 20598]]

08 currently requires you to inspect the aileron assembly for correct 
configuration and modify as necessary (on certain Model PC-6 
airplanes).
    The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Switzerland, notified the FAA of the need 
to supersede AD 2002-21-08 to address an unsafe condition that may 
exist or could develop on certain Model PC-6 airplanes. The FOCA 
reports that the AD action should also apply to all the models of the 
PC-6 airplanes listed in the type certification data sheet of TC No. 
7A15 produced in the United States through a licensing agreement 
between Pilatus and Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as 
Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller 
Corporation).
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
aileron mass balance weights. Such failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The FOCA recently issued Swiss AD Number HB 2005-289, effective 
date August 23, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of all 
models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in TC No. 7A15, including those 
produced in the United States under a licensing agreement with Pilatus 
and Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild 
Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation).
    The State of Design for the Pilatus PC-6 airplanes is Switzerland 
and the airplanes 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 the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we have examined the FOCA's 
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2002-21-08 with a new AD that 
would retain all the actions of AD 2002-21-08 and would:
     Add manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 2001 through 2092 
for all the models of the PC-6 airplanes as listed in TC No. 7A15 and 
specified in the applicability section. These MSN are the airplanes 
produced in the United States through a licensing agreement with the 
Fairchild Republic Company; and
     List all the models of the PC-6 airplanes as listed in TC 
No. 7A15.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 49 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Total cost per
              Labor cost                        Parts cost            airplane      Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 work hour x $80 per hour = $80......  Not Applicable...........             $80  49 x $80 = $3,920.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
such modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost              Parts cost    Total cost per airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 work hours x $80 per hour =             $419  $1,280 + $419 = $1,699.
 $1,280.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 20599]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914, and adding the following new AD:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2006-24090; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by May 24, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects the following Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, 
PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, 
PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/
C1-H2 airplanes and serial numbers that are certificated in any 
category:
    (1) Group 1 (maintains the actions from AD 2002-21-08): All 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including 939.
    (2) Group 2: MSN 2001 through 2092.

    Note: These airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic 
Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or 
Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland that requires the actions of AD 2002-21-08 for the added 
MSN 2001 through 2092 for all the models of the PC-6 airplanes 
listed in the type certificate data sheet of Type Certificate (TC) 
No. 7A15. We are issuing this AD to correct improper aileron 
assembly configuration, which could result in failure of the aileron 
mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to loss of control of 
the airplane.

Compliance

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

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           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the aileron       (i) For Group 1       Follow Pilatus
 assembly for proper           Airplanes: Within     Service Bulletin
 configuration.                the next 30 days      No. 62B, dated May
                               after December 6,     1967, as specified
                               2002 (the effective   in Pilatus PC-6
                               date of AD 2002-21-   Service Bulletin
                               08), unless already   No. 57-001, dated
                               done.                 December 20, 2001.
                              (ii) For Group 2
                               Airplanes: Within
                               the next 30 days
                               after the effective
                               date of this AD,
                               unless already done.
(2) If the aileron assembly   For All Airplanes:    Follow Pilatus
 configuration incorporates    Before further        Service Bulletin
 aileron part number (P/N)     flight after the      No. 62B, dated May
 6106.10.xxx or P/N            inspection required   1967, as specified
 6106.0010.xxx, modify the     in paragraph (e)(1)   in Pilatus PC-6
 assembly following Pilatus    of this AD, unless    Service Bulletin
 Service Bulletin No. 62B,     already done.         No. 57-001, dated
 dated May 1967, and install                         December 20, 2001.
 a placard.
(3) If the aileron assembly   For All Airplanes:    Follow Pilatus PC-6
 configuration differs from    Before further        Service Bulletin
 that specified in Pilatus     flight after the      No. 57-001, dated
 Service Bulletin No. 62B,     inspection required   December 20, 2001.
 dated May 1967, or if the     in paragraph (e)(1)
 part numbers are missing      of this AD, unless
 and cannot be verified:       already done.
(i) Obtain a repair scheme
 from the manufacturer
 through the FAA at the
 address specified in
 paragraph (f) of this AD;
 and
(ii) Incorporate this repair
 scheme.
(4) Do not install any        (i) For Group 1       Follow Pilatus PC-6
 aileron assembly unless the   Airplanes: As of      Service Bulletin
 inspection, modification,     December 6, 2002      No. 57-001, dated
 placard, and repair           (the effective date   December 20, 2001.
 requirements (as              of AD 2002-21-08).
 applicable) of paragraphs    (ii) For Group 2
 (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3),       Airplanes: As of
 (e)(3)(i), and (e)(3)(ii)     the effective date
 of this AD are done.          of this AD.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs) for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (g) AMOCs approved for AD 2002-21-08 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

    (h) Swiss Airworthiness Directive Number HB 2005-289, effective 
date August 23, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. 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 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224. 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. The 
docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 
2006-CE-16-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 17, 2006.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-5980 Filed 4-20-06; 8:45 am]
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