[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17107-17109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06818]



[[Page 17107]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5284; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-006-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 
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-
12/47E airplanes. 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 incorrect 
installation instructions of the torlon plates in the airplane 
maintenance manual resulting in the incorrect installation of the 
torlon plates in the forward wing-to-fuselage attachment. 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 May 12, 2016.

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 Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; 
email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com. You may review 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.

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-2016-
5284; 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-2016-5284; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-006-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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2016-0037, dated February 26, 2016 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Incorrect installations of torlon plates in the forward lower 
wing-to-fuselage attachment were reported on aeroplanes in service. 
Investigation determined that wrong torlon plate installation 
instructions were published in June 2007 in Revision (Rev.) 18 to 27 
of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 02049, Data Module (DM) 12-
A-57-00-00A-520A-A and DM 12-A-57-00-00A-720A-A, for the PC-12, PC-
12/45 and PC-12/47 aeroplanes, and in the initial issue to Rev. 10 
of AMM 02300, in DM 12-B-57-00-00A-520A-A and DM 12-B-57-00-00A-
720A-A, for PC-12/47E aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional loads 
at the wing-to-fuselage interface, which detrimentally affects the 
fatigue life of the structural joint.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-007 to provide inspection instructions 
to verify the correct installation of torlon plates in the wing-to-
fuselage attachments, and the rectification instructions for 
incorrect installed torlon plates.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachments, both 
left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5284.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Pilatus Aircraft Limited has issued PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS 
PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated September 29, 2015. The 
service information describes procedures for inspecting the 
installation of the torlon plates in the wing-to-fuselage attachment 
fittings and, if necessary, instructions to install them in the correct 
sequence. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 268 products of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 17108]]

We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per wing per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $45,560, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours per wing and require parts costing $1,000 per 
wing, for a total cost of $2,510 per product. We have no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
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 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 adding the following new AD:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2016-5284; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-CE-006-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/
47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all serial numbers delivered before 
January 1, 2015, certificated in any category.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: The date of delivery may be 
found as the issue date of the EASA Form 52, which is part of the 
airplane records.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

(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 incorrect 
installation instructions of the torlon plates in the airplane 
maintenance manual resulting in the incorrect installation of the 
torlon plates in the forward wing-to-fuselage attachment. We are 
issuing this AD to identify and correct incorrectly installed torlon 
plates which could cause additional loads affecting the fatigue life 
at the wing-to-fuselage interface.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD. 
If paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD have already 
been done before the effective date of this AD, then only paragraph 
(f)(4) of this AD applies.
    (1) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced between June 2007 and the effective date of this AD: 
Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the torlon plates in the forward lower wing-to-fuselage 
attachments (both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides) for 
correct installation following the accomplishment instructions in 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, 
dated September 29, 2015.
    (2) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced, between June 2007 and the effective date of this AD: If 
an incorrect installation of the torlon plates is found during the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, remove the 
affected torlon plates, visually inspect the torlon plates and the 
affected lugs using a mirror and light source (if necessary) for any 
damage, and reinstall the torlon plates in the correct sequence, 
following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.C. of 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, 
dated September 29, 2015.
    (3) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced, between June 2007 and the effective date of this AD: If 
any damage is found during the inspection of the torlon plates and 
lugs required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, 
contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT, LTD. for FAA-approved repair instructions 
and accomplish those instructions accordingly. You may find contact 
information for PILATUS AIRCRAFT, LTD. in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (4) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, do 
not install or re-install a wing on any airplane, unless concurrent 
with the wing installation, the torlon plates of the forward lower 
wing-to-fuselage attachment (both LH and RH sides) of the airplane 
are inspected and found to be installed correctly in accordance with 
the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.B. of PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated 
September 29, 2015.

    Note 2 to paragraph (f)(4) of this AD:  Installation of a wing 
on an airplane in accordance with the instructions of PILATUS 
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) 02049, Revision 28 or later, or 
AMM 02300, Revision 11 or later, is an acceptable alternative method 
to comply with this inspection requirement.

(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,

[[Page 17109]]

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.: 2016-0037, dated February 26, 2016, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5284. For service information related to this AD, contact 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; 
email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06818 Filed 3-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P