[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 26, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31361-31363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11204]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0240; Product Identifier 2018-CE-057-AD; Amendment 
39-21131; AD 2020-11-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, 
PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/
B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, PC-6/C1-H2, PC-6-H1, and PC-6-H2 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 flap actuator taper pins that were not swaged 
during the manufacturing process. The FAA is issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 30, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact PILATUS Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. 
Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: 
+41 (0)41 619 67 73; email: aircraft.com">techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: 
https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 
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 https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0240.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 31362]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0240; or in person at Docket 
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 
Models PC-6, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-
6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, PC-6/
C1-H2, PC-6-H1, and PC-6-H2 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 5, 2019 (84 FR 13571). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
MCAI AD No. 2018-0235, dated November 5, 2018, issued by the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states:

    During a recent overhaul, two new flap actuators were found to 
have taper pins installed that, apparently, had not been swaged. 
Investigation results identified that the taper pins had been 
incorrectly swaged during the manufacturing process.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
loss of one or both taper pins, consequent asymmetric flap 
deployment or flap surface flutter, possibly resulting in loss of 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB to provide inspection instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the taper pins of the affected parts for correct 
installation and, depending on findings, accomplishment of 
applicable corrective action(s). This [EASA] AD also requires 
inspection of, and, depending on findings, corrective action(s) on, 
affected parts held as spare, prior to installation.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FAA-2019-0240.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD. The FAA received one comment from Richart Ruddie, 
who supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 
27-005, dated July 2, 2018. The service information contains procedures 
for removing and inspecting the flap actuator assemblies and pushrod 
assemblies, modifying or replacing the taper pins if necessary, and 
reinstalling the assemblies. 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 30 products of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 12 work-hours 
per product to comply with the basic inspection requirements of this 
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $30,600, or $1,020 per product.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that any necessary follow-on 
modification or replacement actions would require parts costing 
$30,000, for a cost of $1,000 per product. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 airworthiness 
directive:

2020-11-06 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21131; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0240; Product Identifier 2018-CE-057-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 30, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6/350, 
PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, 
PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, PC-6/C1-H2, PC-6-H1, 
and PC-6-H2 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category, with a

[[Page 31363]]

left-hand or right-hand flap actuator assembly part number (P/N) 
6132.0039.51 or P/N 6132.0039.52 or pushrod assembly P/N 
6132.0040.00 installed, except those assemblies supplied by Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd. with a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) form 1 
tag dated July 2, 2018 or later.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  These airplanes may also be 
identified as Fairchild Republic Company airplanes, Fairchild 
Industries airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter airplanes, or Fairchild-
Hiller Corporation airplanes.

(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. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as flap actuator 
taper pins that were not swaged during the manufacturing process. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of one or both taper pins 
that could lead to asymmetric flap deployment or flap surface 
flutter and result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after June 30, 
2020 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months 
after June 30, 2020 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first, prepare the airplane and inspect each flap actuator 
taper pin for correct installation by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions-Part 1-On Aircraft, paragraphs 3.A through 3.B(2), of 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 27-005, dated July 
2, 2018 (Pilatus SB No. 27-005).
    (i) If a taper pin has any damage, before further flight, 
replace and swage the taper pin and reinstall the pushrod assembly 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions-Part 1-On Aircraft, 
paragraphs 3.C and 3.D of Pilatus SB No. 27-005.
    (ii) If a taper pin is incorrectly swaged or is not swaged, 
before further flight, swage the taper pin and reinstall the pushrod 
assembly by following the Accomplishment Instructions-Part 1-On 
Aircraft, paragraphs 3.C and 3.D of Pilatus SB No. 27-005.
    (2) After June 30, 2020 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install a flap actuator assembly, P/N 6132.0039.51 or P/N 
6132.0039.52, or pushrod assembly P/N 6132.0040.00 on any airplane 
unless the part was supplied by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. with an EASA 
form 1 tag dated July 2, 2018 or later, or the part has been 
inspected in accordance with paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 
AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (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: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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) 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 EASA.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No. 2018-0235, dated November 5, 2018, for 
related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the 
internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FAA-2019-0240.

(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) Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 27-005, 
dated July 2, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 
992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: 
+41 (0)41 619 67 73; email: aircraft.com">techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; 
internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0240.
    (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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 15, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11204 Filed 5-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P