[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5350-5352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02916]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0385; Product Identifier 2018-CE-019-AD; Amendment 
39-19554; AD 2019-03-02]
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 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 an incorrect size bolt may have been used to assemble the 
elevator bellcrank pivot joint. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 28, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 28, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0385; or in person at Docket Operations, 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, Hamilton, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 
3240, New Zealand; phone: +64 7843 6144; fax: +64 843 6134; email: 
[email protected]; internet: www.aerospace.co.nz. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 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 Docket No. FAA-2018-0385.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pacific Aerospace Limited 
Model 750XL airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on May 11, 2018 (83 FR 21951). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority of New 
Zealand. The MCAI states:

    It is possible that the elevator bellcrank pivot joint could be 
assembled with a bolt P/N AN4-20 that is a little too short, leaving 
threads inside the working area of the section of the joint.

    The MCAI requires inspecting the elevator bellcrank pivot joint to 
determine the length of the bolt installed to determine if it is the 
proper size and taking all necessary corrective actions. The MCAI can 
be found in the AD docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-03850-002.
    Incorrectly sized bolts that are too short can cause damage from 
the threads of the bolt on the internal bore of the cross tube hinge 
plate, which could result in reduced control.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 and changes to clarify the incorporation by 
reference of the service information. We have determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 5351]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Pacific Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/
097, Issue 1, dated March 12, 2018. The service information describes 
procedures for inspecting the elevator bellcrank pivot joint to 
determine if the correct bolt size is installed. If an incorrect size 
bolt is found, the service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting 
the cross tube to confirm structural integrity, taking necessary 
corrective actions, and replacing the incorrect size bolt with a 
correct sized bolt. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 22 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $3,740, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $125, for a cost of 
$805 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 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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-2018-
0385; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2019-03-02 Pacific Aerospace Limited: Amendment 39-19554; Docket No.
    FAA-2018-0385; Product Identifier 2018-CE-019-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 28, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL 
airplanes, all serial numbers through 215, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(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. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent damage from the threads of the bolt on the internal bore 
of the cross tube hinge plate, which could result in reduced 
control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service after March 28, 
2019 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months 
after March 28, 2019 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs later, inspect the elevator bellcrank pivot joint to 
determine the length and the part number (P/N) of the bolt 
installed. Do the inspection using the Inspection Instructions, 
steps 1 through 3, in Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/
097, Issue 1, dated March 12, 2018.
    (2) If you determine bolt, P/N AN4-20, is installed during the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further 
flight, take all necessary corrective actions using the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin 
PACSB/XL/097, Issue 1, dated March 12, 2018.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:

[[Page 5352]]

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must 
instead be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the Civil Aviation 
Authority of New Zealand (CAA).

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI CAA AD DCA/750XL/28, dated March 22, 2018, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at: 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0385-0002.

(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 Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/097, 
Issue 1, dated March 12, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pacific Aerospace Limited service information identified 
in this AD, contact Pacific Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, 
Hamilton, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; phone: +64 
7843 6144; fax: +64 843 6134; email: [email protected]; 
internet: www.aerospace.co.nz.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 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-2018-0385.
    (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 February 11, 2019.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2019-02916 Filed 2-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P