[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2801-2803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-479]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0116 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-082-AD; 
Amendment 39-15333; AD 2008-02-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited Model PC-12, 
PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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:

    It has been found that some of the above mentioned MLG special 
bolts can be defective. The problem is only applicable to specific 
bolts with serial numbers that start with the letters AT or have the 
supplier code AT. Investigations revealed that there is a 
possibility for hydrogen embrittlement which occurs during the 
manufacture process.

Components in this condition can decrease the specific fatigue life 
and could lead to MLG collapse during operation with consequent loss 
of airplane control.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 20, 2008.
    On February 20, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2007 (72 
FR 61580). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been found that some of the above mentioned MLG special 
bolts can be defective. The problem is only applicable to specific 
bolts with serial numbers that start with the letters AT or have the 
supplier code AT. Investigations revealed that there is a 
possibility for hydrogen embrittlement which occurs during the 
manufacture process.
    Components in this condition can decrease the specific fatigue 
life and could lead to MLG collapse during operation with consequent 
loss of airplane control.
    In order to correct the situation, this AD requires the 
identification of all MLG special bolts to determine if the bolts 
have serial numbers that start with the letters AT or have the 
supplier code AT and the replacement of affected special bolts.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Comment Issue: Revision of Service Bulletin No. 32-020

    PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. comments they have revised the applicable 
service information, and the latest version is PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. 
Service Bulletin No. 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated November 22, 2007. They 
request we incorporate the revised version of the service bulletin into 
our AD.
    We agree that we should incorporate the revised version of the 
service bulletin into our AD. We have discussed the revised service 
bulletin with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the 
aviation authority for Switzerland, and they also agree we should 
incorporate the revised version of the service bulletin into our AD.
    We will change the final rule AD action to incorporate PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. Service Bulletin No. 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated November 
22, 2007.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD

[[Page 2802]]

with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes 
will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the 
scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
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 required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 480 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about .5 work-hour per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $19,200, or $40 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $2,300, for a cost of 
$2,620 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    (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) 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 AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 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, Incorporation by 
reference.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-02-03 Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-15333; Docket No. 
FAA-2007-0116; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-082-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
20, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 airplanes, 
serial numbers 101 through 749, certificated in any category; that 
have not incorporated the actions in their entirety of PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 32-020, dated July 24, 
2007; and with one or more of the following installed:
    (1) Main landing gear (MLG) assemblies delivered before December 
31, 2006, with the following part numbers (P/N): 532.10.12.037, 
532.10.12.038, 532.10.12.041, 532.10.12.042, 532.10.12.043, 
532.10.12.044, 532.10.12.047, 532.10.12.048, 532.10.12.049, 
532.10.12.050, 532.10.12.051, or 532.10.12.052;
    (2) Special bolts P/N 532.10.12.110, 532.10.12.205, 
532.10.12.077, or 532.10.12.202 delivered before December 31, 2006; 
or
    (3) Modification kit numbers 500.50.12.267, 500.50.12.286, or 
500.50.12.299 delivered before December 31, 2006.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    It has been found that some of the above mentioned MLG special 
bolts can be defective. The problem is only applicable to specific 
bolts with serial numbers that start with the letters AT or have the 
supplier code AT. Investigations revealed that there is a 
possibility for hydrogen embrittlement which occurs during the 
manufacture process.

Components in this condition can decrease the specific fatigue life 
and could lead to MLG collapse during operation with consequent loss 
of airplane control.
    In order to correct the situation, this AD requires the 
identification of all MLG special bolts to determine if the bolts 
have serial numbers that start with the letters AT or have the 
supplier code AT and the replacement of affected special bolts.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
February 20, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 
3 months after February 20, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first, inspect the special bolts that attach the 
MLG retraction actuators and the special bolts that attach the shock 
absorbers to the MLG assemblies to identify the serial numbers that 
start with the letters AT or have the supplier code AT following 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 32-020, Rev. No. 1, 
dated November 22, 2007.
    (2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD any special bolts with the serial number starting with the 
letters AT or special bolts with the supplier code AT are found, 
before further flight,

[[Page 2803]]

replace the specified bolts with new bolts with the new part numbers 
in all MLG assemblies following PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service 
Bulletin No: 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated November 22, 2007.
    (3) As of February 20, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install any of the special bolts that have serial numbers that 
start with the letters AT or have the supplier code AT on Models PC-
12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 airplanes as indicated in PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated 
November 22, 2007. MLG assemblies, special bolts, and modifications 
kits, as referenced in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this 
AD, delivered from PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. on or after December 31, 
2006, will not incorporate the unsafe condition.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to 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. Before using 
any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (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 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

    (h) Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2007-
382, dated August 27, 2007; and PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service 
Bulletin No: 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated November 22, 2007, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin 
No: 32-020, Rev. No. 1, dated November 22, 2007, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6208; fax: +41 41 619 7311; e-
mail: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 8, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-479 Filed 1-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P