[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36810-36813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-7003; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-015-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 all 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E 
airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-22-01. 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 a need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations 
section, Chapter 4, of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., 
maintenance manual). 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 July 25, 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

[[Page 36811]]

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 33 33; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73 
11; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: 
aircraft.com">SupportPC12@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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
7003; 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-2016-7003; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-015-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 October 20, 2014, we issued AD 2014-22-01, Amendment 39-18005 
(79 FR 67343, November 13, 2014) (``AD 2014-22-01''). That AD required 
actions intended to address an unsafe condition on all PILATUS AIRCRAFT 
LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes and was 
based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country.
    Since we issued AD 2014-22-01, PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. has issued 
revisions to the Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual 
to include repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) 
attachment bolts.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2016-0083, dated April 28, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations are currently defined and 
published in the Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft Maintenance Manual(s) (AMM) 
under Chapter 4, Structural, Component and Miscellaneous--
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. The limitations 
contained in these documents have been identified as mandatory for 
continued airworthiness.
    Failure to comply with these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    EASA issued AD 2014-0170 requiring the actions as specified in 
ALS, Chapter 4 of AMM report 02049 issue 28, for PC-12, PC-12/45 and 
PC-12/47 aeroplanes, and Chapter 4 of AMM report 02300 issue 11, for 
PC-12/47E aeroplanes.
    Since that AD was issued, Pilatus issued Chapter 4 of PC-12 AMM 
report 02049 issue 31, and Chapter 4 of PC-12 AMM report 02300 issue 
14 (hereafter collectively referred to as `the applicable ALS' in 
this AD), to incorporate new six-year and ten-year inspection 
intervals for several main landing gear (MLG) attachment bolts, and 
an annual inspection interval for the MLG shock absorber attachment 
bolts, which was previously included in the AMM Chapter 5 annual 
inspection. After a further review of the in-service data, Pilatus 
issued Service Letter (SL) 186, extending the special compliance 
time applicable for the MLG bolts inspection.
    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2014-0170, which is superseded, and requires 
the accomplishment of the new maintenance tasks, as described in the 
applicable ALS.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
7003.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. has issued Structural, Component and 
Miscellaneous--Airworthiness Limitations, document 12-A-04-00-00-00A-
000A-A, dated September 28, 2015, and Structural and Component 
Limitations--Airworthiness Limitations, document 12-B-04-00-00-00A-
000A-A, dated September 28, 2015. 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 AD will affect 770 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 1.5 work-hours 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 this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $98,175, or 
$127.50 per product. This breaks down as follows:
     Incorporating new revisions into the Limitations section, 
Chapter 4, of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance 
manual): .5 work-hour for a fleet cost of $32,725, or $42.50 per 
product.
     New inspections: MLG attachment bolts: 1 work-hour with no 
parts cost for fleet cost of $65,450 or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary corrective actions (on-
condition costs) that must be taken based on the proposed inspections, 
would take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing approximately 
$100 for a cost of $185 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of products that may need these necessary corrective actions. 
This breaks down as follows:
    The only costs that would be imposed by this proposed AD over that 
already

[[Page 36812]]

required by AD 2014-22-01 is insertion of the revised Limitation 
section and the MLG attachment bolts inspection and replacement as 
necessary.

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 39-18005 (79 FR 
67343, November 13, 2014), and adding the following new AD:

PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD.: Docket No. FAA-2016-7003; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-CE-015-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 25, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-22-01, 39-18005 (79 FR 67343, November 
13, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, 
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSNs), certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(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 a need to 
incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section, Chapter 4, 
of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). 
The limitations were revised to include repetitive inspections of 
the main landing gear (MLG) attachment bolts. These actions are 
required to ensure the continued operational safety of the affected 
airplanes.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(6) of this AD:
    (1) Before further flight after July 13, 2016 (the effective 
date of this AD), insert the following revisions into the 
Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., 
maintenance manual):
    (i) STRUCTURAL, COMPONENT AND MISCELLANEOUS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS, Data module code 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated 
September 28, 2015, of the Pilatus Model type--PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-
12/47, Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Document No. 02049, 12-A-
AM-00-00-00-I, revision 31, dated November 10, 2015; and
    (ii) STRUCTURAL AND COMPONENT LIMITATIONS--AIRWORTHINESS 
LIMITATIONS, Data module code 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, dated 
September 28, 2015, of the Pilatus Model type--PC-12/47E MSN-1001-
UP, Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Document No. 02300, 12-B-AM-
00-00-00-I, revision 14, dated November 6, 2015.
    (2) The limitations section revisions listed in paragraphs 
(f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD do the following:
    (i) Establish inspections of the MLG attachment bolts,
    (ii) Specify replacement of components before or upon reaching 
the applicable life limit, and
    (iii) Specify accomplishment of all applicable maintenance tasks 
within certain thresholds and intervals.
    (3) Only authorized Pilatus Service Centers can do the 
Supplemental Structural Inspection Document (SSID) as required by 
the documents in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD 
because deviations from the type design in critical locations could 
make the airplane ineligible for this life extension.
    (4) If no compliance time is specified in the documents listed 
in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD when doing any 
corrective actions where discrepancies are found as required in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this AD, do these corrective actions before 
further flight after doing the applicable maintenance task.
    (5) During the accomplishment of the actions required in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, if a 
discrepancy is found that is not identified in the documents listed 
in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, before further 
flight after finding the discrepancy, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. 
at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for a repair 
scheme and incorporate that repair scheme.
    (6) Within the next 6 years time-in-service after July 13, 2016 
(the effective date of this AD) or within the next 3 months TIS 
after July 13, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs later, inspect the MLG attachment bolts for cracks and 
corrosion take all necessary corrective actions.

(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].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved for AD 2014-22-01, 39-18005 (79 FR 67343, 
November 13, 2014) are not approved as AMOCs for this AD.
    (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

[[Page 36813]]

(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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2016-0083, dated April 28, 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-2016-7003. For service 
information related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., 
Customer Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 
(0) 41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73 11; Internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 27, 2016.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13249 Filed 6-7-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P