[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42417-42419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16332]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0598; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-015-AD; 
Amendment 39-17506; AD 2013-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as faulty rivets installed in the airframes during production 
could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane. We are issuing 
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 5, 
2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 30, 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 AD, contact Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 65 80; fax: +41 (0)41 619 65 76; 
Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: aircraft.com">fodermatt@pilatus-aircraft.com. 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 AD, the MCAI, 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:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2013-0115-E, dated May 28, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

Reports have been received that rivets with insufficient shear 
(about 50% shear allowable) were delivered from the supplier

[[Page 42418]]

to Pilatus. Investigations revealed that the faulty rivets were 
already installed in various airframes and spare parts during the 
production process.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in a reduced strength 
of the aeroplane structure.

For the reasons described above, this AD prohibits all flight 
operations for the affected aeroplanes, except for a ferry flight 
under limited flight conditions to a repair station. In order to 
resume flights, this AD requires accomplishment of an inspection 
and, depending on findings, a repair of all affected areas of the 
aeroplane.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued Technical Memo TM-06-000004, Issue 
01, dated May 16, 2013. 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 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because there 
are no airplanes currently on the U.S. registry and thus, does not have 
any impact upon the public. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0598; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-CE-015-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 0 products of U.S. registry at 
this time. We also estimate that it will take about 5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,000 
per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate there to be no cost for U.S. 
operators for this AD. However, if an airplane affected by this AD is 
at any time placed on the U.S. registry, it will cost approximately 
$1,425 per product to comply with this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 that this 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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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:

2013-14-01 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-17506; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0598; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-015-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 5, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6/B2-H4 
airplanes, serial numbers 735, 863, 909, 923, 948, 956, 958, 977, 
978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 985, and 986, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

[[Page 42419]]

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as faulty rivets 
installed in the airframes during production could reduce the 
structural integrity of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to 
ensure the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight after August 5, 2013 (the effective 
date of this AD), contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. at the address 
specified in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD to obtain FAA-approved 
inspection procedures approved specifically for compliance with this 
AD for inspecting the airplane for loose rivets and for places where 
rivets are missing, and do the inspection.
    (2) If any rivet deficiencies are found during the inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further fight, 
contact PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. at the address specified in paragraph 
(j)(3) of this AD to obtain an FAA-approved repair scheme approved 
specifically for compliance with this AD and incorporate the repair.

(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.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are permitted with the following 
limitation: A pre-flight inspection must be done following the 
procedures specified in paragraph 2.2 of Pilatus Technical Memo TM-
06-000004, Issue 01, dated May 16, 2013.

(i) Related Information

    European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0115-E, dated 
May 28, 2013, for related information, which can be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Pilatus Technical Memo TM-06-000004, Issue 01, dated May 16, 
2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, 
P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 
65 80; fax: +41 (0)41 619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com or email: aircraft.com">fodermatt@pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 June 28, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16332 Filed 7-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P