[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71497-71499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20971]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26371; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-70-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited PC-12 and PC-
12/45 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as executive seats equipped with pedestal legs that were 
produced using a material that deviates from the approved design data. 
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 10, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, 901 
Locust, Room 301; telephone (816) 329-4059; fax (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26371; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-70-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Switzerland, has issued FOCA AD HB-2006-444, dated 
November 7, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct 
an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that 
executive seats equipped with pedestal legs were produced using a 
material that deviates from the approved design data. As a consequence 
the pedestal legs may not perform as intended under emergency landing 
conditions. In order to correct and control the situation, this AD 
requires a one time inspection to identify the Vendor Part Number (VPN) 
of the pedestal legs and the Serial Number (S/N) of the executive seat 
and the replacement of the pedestal legs if necessary. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Pilatus Aircraft Limited has issued Service Bulletin No.: 25-032, 
dated October 2, 2006, and DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company, Inc. has 
issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in

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general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 394 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 0.5 work-hours per product to comply with the 
inspection requirement of the proposed AD. In addition, we estimate 
this proposed AD would affect about 59 seats and take about 1 work-hour 
per seat to comply with the parts replacement requirement of the 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $15,760, or $40 per product for inspection and $4,720, or $80 per 
seat for parts replacement.

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 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 this 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.

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 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 adding the following new AD:

Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Docket No. FAA-2006-26371; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-70-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by January 10, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial 
numbers 101 through 683, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with executive passenger seats Model Number 4006 
manufactured by DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company, Inc. Vendor Part 
Number (VPN) 403150-1 or 403150-2 with Serial Numbers (S/N) 
identified in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 
Revision B, dated June 26, 2006.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that executive seats equipped with pedestal legs were 
produced using a material that deviates from the approved design 
data. As a consequence the pedestal legs may not perform as intended 
under emergency landing conditions. In order to correct and control 
the situation, this AD requires a one time inspection to identify 
the VPN of the pedestal legs and the S/N of the executive seat and 
the replacement of the pedestal legs if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Perform an inspection to identify the VPN of the pedestal 
legs and the S/N of the executive seat following the accomplishment 
instructions in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No.: 25-032, dated 
October 2, 2006.
    (ii) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1)(i) of 
this AD any pedestal legs with a VPN and executive seats with a S/N 
which correspond with the data in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 2006 are found, prior to 
further flight, replace the affected pedestal legs following the 
accomplishment instructions in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No.: 
25-032, dated October 2, 2006, with new pedestal legs with VPN 
431005-17 and 431005-18. The removed parts must be returned to 
Pilatus.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any executive seats model number 4006 produced by DeCrane Aircraft 
Seating Company, Inc., VPN 403150-1 or 403150-2 with S/Ns identified 
in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, 
dated June 26, 2006, on any Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplane, unless the mandatory actions of this AD have been 
implemented.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they

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are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated 
agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before 
it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2006-
444, dated November 7, 2006; Pilatus Aircraft Limited Service 
Bulletin No.: 25-032, dated October 2, 2006; and DeCrane Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 2006, 
for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 4, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20971 Filed 12-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P