[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 45 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14729-14731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05292]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0223; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 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 
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 that 
would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 failure to inspect and maintain stabilizer-trim attachment 
components and the flap actuator could result in loss of control. We 
are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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 Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 
76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

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; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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-2013-0223; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-049-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://regulations.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

    On December 28, 2010, we issued AD 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 
(76 FR 5647; February 1, 2011). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2011-01-14, (76 FR 5647; February 1, 2011), the 
airworthiness limitations of the airplane maintenance manual has been 
updated to include the flap actuator, which was not included when the 
limitations were initially created.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2012-0268, dated December 19, 2012 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the Structure and Components of the PC-6 are specified 
in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) under Chapter 4 or in the 
Airworthiness Limitations Document (ALS), depending on the aeroplane 
model.

[[Page 14730]]

    These documents include the maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. and 
approved by EASA. Failure to comply with these instructions and 
limitations could potentially lead to an unsafe condition. To 
address this potentially unsafe condition EASA issued AD 2010-0176 
to require implementation of maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations in accordance with Pilatus PC-6 ALS issue 
1, dated 14 May 2010 and Pilatus PC-6 AMM Chapter 4, issue 12, dated 
14 May 2010.
    Since that AD was issued, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd published Pilatus 
PC-6 AMM (Number 01975) Chapter 4, issue 16 and PC-6 ALS (Number 
02334) issue 3 to introduce a threshold for replacement of 
previously not listed Flap Actuator.
    For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirement 
of AD 2010-0176, which is superseded, and requires the 
implementation of more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitation as specified in issue 16 of Chapter 4 of 
AMM and issue 3 of ALS. This AD also requires replacement of any 
Flap Actuator which, on the effective date of this AD, has 
accumulated or exceeded 7 years since new or since last overhaul.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. issued Chapter 04-00-00, Pilatus PC-6 B2-H2/
B2-H4 Maintenance Manual, document No. 01975, Revision No. 16, dated 
July 31, 2012; and Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 
02334, Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012. 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.

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

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 removing Amendment 39-16571 (76 FR 
5647; February 1, 2011), and adding the following new AD:

Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Docket No. FAA-2013-0223; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-049-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 22, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD number 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 (76 
FR 5647; February 1, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN), and 
MSN 2001 through 2092, that are certificated in any category.

    Note 1 of paragraph (c): For MSN 2001-2092, these airplanes are 
also identified as Fairchild Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, 
Fairchild Industries PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 
airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: Time Limits.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by inspection requirements of the 
stabilizer-trim attachment components that now include an additional 
inspection requirement for the flap actuator. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to update the maintenance program with new requirements 
and limitations.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) For all affected Models PC-6/B2-H2 and PC-6/B2-H4: Before 
further flight after the effective date of this AD, incorporate the 
maintenance requirements as specified in Chapter 04-00-00, Pilatus 
PC-6 B2-H2/B2-H4 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM); and 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 01975, Revision No. 16, 
dated July 31, 2012; into your FAA-accepted maintenance program 
(maintenance manual).
    (2) For all affected Models PC-6 other than the Models PC-6/B2-
H2 and PC-6/B2-H4: Before further flight after the effective date of 
this AD, incorporate the maintenance requirements as specified in 
Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 02334, Revision 
No. 3, dated July 31, 2012, into your FAA-accepted maintenance 
program.
    (3) For all Models PC-6 airplanes: This AD provides a grace 
period for the initial replacement of the flap actuator (except part 
numbers 978.73.14.101 and 978.73.14.103) and replacement is required 
as indicated:
    (i) If the actuator has accumulated 3,150 hours or more time-in-
service since new or overhaul, but does not have more than 8 years 
since new or overhaul: Within 350 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first;
    (ii) If the actuator has accumulated 6.5 years or more since new 
or overhaul, but does not have more than 8 years since new or 
overhaul: Within 350 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD 
or 6 months after the

[[Page 14731]]

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first;
    (iii) If the actuator has accumulated more than 8 years since 
new or overhaul, but does not have 8.5 years or more since new or 
overhaul: No later than accumulating 8.5 years hours since new or 
overhaul; or
    (iv) If the actuator has 8.5 years or more since new or 
overhaul: Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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; email: 
[email protected]. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2012-0268, dated December 19, 2012; 
Chapter 04-00-00, Pilatus PC-6 B2-H2/B2-H4 Airplane Maintenance 
Manual (AMM); and, Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
No. 02334, Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012; for related 
information. For service information related to this AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 
76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 1, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05292 Filed 3-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P