[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16553-16555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07104]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1002; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-033-AD; 
Amendment 39-18127; AD 2015-06-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited 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 Pacific 
Aerospace Limited (PAL) Model 750XL airplanes. 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 PAL Model 750XL airplanes manufactured with only one 
attitude indicator. A second attitude indicator is required for flights 
under instrument flight rules. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 4, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 4, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1002; 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 service information identified in this AD, contact Pacific 
Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 3240, New 
Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 6144; fax: +64 7 843 6134; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.aerospace.co.nz/. You may 
view this 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. 
It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to Pacific Aerospace Limited 
Model 750XL airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72564). The NPRM proposed to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    This AD with effective date 10 November 2014 is prompted by a 
recent determination that certain PAL750XL aircraft were 
inadvertently manufactured with instrument panels with only one 
Attitude Indicator (AI). A second AI is required for PAL750XL 
operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

[[Page 16554]]

    The AD mandates the installation of either a second AI, or the 
enablement of Reversionary Attitude mode in the Sandel Electronic 
Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI), if fitted, when operating 
under IFR.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1002-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 72564, December 8, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 72564, December 8, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 72564, December 8, 2014).

Relative Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    We reviewed Pacific Aerospace Limited Mandatory Service Bulletin 
PACSB/XL/074, Issue 2, dated November 4, 2014. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for installing a second attitude indicator or 
enabling the reversionary mode on a Sandel SN3500 electronic horizontal 
situation indicator (EHSI), if installed, whichever is applicable. This 
service information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to 
access this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 17 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $3,500 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $68,170, or $4,010 per product.

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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1002; 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, 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:

2015-06-09 Pacific Aerospace Limited: Amendment 39-18127; Docket No. 
FAA-2014-1002; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-033-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 4, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 Pacific 
Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes manufactured with instrument 
panels with only one attitude indicator. A second attitude indicator 
is required to operate under instrument flight rules (IFR). A 
reversionary attitude indicator reduces the probability of a single 
point failure, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing 
this proposed AD to install a reversionary attitude indicator before 
operating in IFR conditions.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, before the next flight requiring instrument 
flight rules (IFR) after the effective date of this AD, install a 
second attitude indicator into the right hand instrument panel or 
enable the reversionary mode on a Sandel SN3500 electronic 
horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), if installed, whichever is 
applicable, following the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in Pacific 
Aerospace Limited Mandatory Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/074, Issue 2, 
dated November 4, 2014.

(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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 901 
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-
4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:

[[Page 16555]]

[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) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD DCA/750XL/
17A, dated November 6, 2014, for related information. The MCAI can 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1002-0002.

(i) 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) Pacific Aerospace Limited Mandatory Service Bulletin PACSB/
XL/074, Issue 2, dated November 4, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pacific Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 
3240, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 6144; fax: +64 7 843 6134; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.aerospace.co.nz/.
    (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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1002.
    (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 March 19, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07104 Filed 3-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P