[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14187-14190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05223]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01051-A]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2016-26-08, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-
12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 requires 
incorporating revisions into the airworthiness limitations section 
(ALS) of the maintenance program and inspecting the main landing gear 
(MLG) attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. Since the FAA issued 
AD 2016-26-08, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to 
add a new life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts 
and then superseded it again to add new life limits for the rudder 
bellcrank. This proposed AD would require incorporating new revisions 
to the ALS of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year 
life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new 
life

[[Page 14188]]

limits for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41848247365; email: 
aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; 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 NPRM, the MCAI, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: 
(816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01051-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug 
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82 FR 10859, 
February 16, 2017) (AD 2016-26-08) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model 
PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 was 
prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2016-0083, 
dated April 28, 2016, to require new maintenance tasks for the MLG 
attachment bolts and replacement of each MLG attachment bolt before 
exceeding its life limit.
    AD 2016-26-08 requires incorporating revisions into the ALS of the 
existing FAA-approved maintenance program and inspecting the MLG 
attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. The FAA issued AD 2016-26-08 
to ensure the continued operational safety of the affected airplanes.

Actions Since AD 2016-26-08 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, Pilatus received reports of 
failure of MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts, part number (P/N) 
532.10.12.218, identified with ``VLG'' on the bolt head. These parts 
are from a specific vendor and are subject to hydrogen embrittlement. 
Accordingly, EASA superseded EASA AD 2016-0083, dated April 28, 2016, 
and issued EASA AD 2021-0005, dated January 7, 2021, to require a new 5 
year life limit for the MLG actuator bottom attachment bolt identified 
with ``VLG.''.
    Pilatus subsequently added new life limits for the rudder 
bellcrank. As a result, EASA superseded its AD again and issued EASA AD 
2021-0214, dated September 17, 2021 (the MCAI). The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance 
instructions for Pilatus PC-12 aeroplanes, which are approved by 
EASA, are currently defined and published in Pilatus PC-12 AMM 
Chapter 04-00-00. These instructions have been identified as 
mandatory for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    Previously, EASA issued [EASA] AD 2021-0005, requiring the 
actions described in the Pilatus PC-12 AMM Chapter 04-00-00, 
Document Number 02049 Issue 01 Revision 40, Document Number 02300 
Issue 01 Revision 24 and Document Number 02436 Issue 01 Revision 02.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Pilatus published the 
applicable ALS, as defined in this [EASA] AD, which contains new 
and/or more restrictive tasks and limitations, as specified in the 
Component Limitations section, to introduce a new life limit for the 
rudder bellcrank. Due to the introduction of this life limit, the 
repetitive eddy current inspections are no longer required and 
deleted from the Supplemental Structural Inspection section.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2021-0005, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions as specified in the applicable ALS.

    You may examine the MCAI at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0153.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following revisions, which contain the new 
life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new 
life limits for the rudder bellcrank.

[[Page 14189]]

     Pilatus PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 Structural, Component 
and Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 02049, Airworthiness 
Limitations, 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Revision 41, dated July 5, 2021;
     Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and Miscellaneous 
Limitations-AMM Document No. 2300, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-B-04-
00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 25, dated July 8, 2021; and
     Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and Miscellaneous 
Limitations-AMM Document No. 02436, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-C-04-
00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 03, dated July 8, 2021.
    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 ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, 
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would not retain any of the actions of AD 2016-26-
08. Instead, this proposed AD would require incorporating new revisions 
into the ALS of the existing AMM or the FAA-approved ICA. This AD would 
allow the owner/operator (pilot) to incorporate these revisions. 
Revising an AMM is not considered a maintenance action and may be done 
by a pilot holding at least a private pilot certificate. This proposed 
action would need to be recorded in the airplane's maintenance records 
to show compliance with this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 1,030 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it 
would take 1 work-hour per airplane to incorporate the revised ALS into 
the AMM or ICA. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost on U.S. 
operators to be $87,550 or $85 per airplane.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that replacing a MLG actuator bottom 
attachment bolt, if necessary, would take 1 work-hour and would require 
parts costing $2,140 for a cost of $2,225 per airplane.
    Replacing the rudder bellcrank, if necessary, would take 3 work-
hours and would require parts costing $550 for a cost of $805 per 
airplane.

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

    The FAA 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 that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82 
FR 10859, February 16, 2017), and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01051-A.

 (a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 28, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82 FR 10859, 
February 16, 2017).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2722, Rudder 
Actuator; 3210, Main Landing Gear; and 3211, Main Landing Gear 
Attach Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 unsafe condition in the MCAI is failure of main landing 
gear (MLG) actuator bottom attachment bolts and failure to 
accomplish a new life limit for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent MLG collapse during all phases of 
airplane operations, including take-off and landing and also to 
prevent rudder bellcrank failure, which could lead to loss of 
airplane control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Before further flight, unless already done, revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the existing airplane 
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for 
your airplane by incorporating the following documents.
    (i) For Model PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 airplanes: Pilatus 
PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 Structural, Component and Miscellaneous 
Limitations-AMM Document No. 02049, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-A-
04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Revision 41, dated July 5, 2021.
    (ii) For Model PC-12/47E airplanes with serial numbers 545, 1001 
through 1719, and

[[Page 14190]]

1721 through 1999: Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and 
Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 2300, Airworthiness 
Limitations, 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 25, dated 
July 8, 2021.
    (iii) For Model PC-12/47E airplanes with serial numbers 1720 and 
2001 and larger: Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and 
Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 02436, Airworthiness 
Limitations, 12-C-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 03, dated 
July 8, 2021.
    (2) The actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4), and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
    (3) After revising the airworthiness limitations required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, no alternative life limits or 
inspection intervals may be used unless they are approved as 
provided in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD 2021-0214, dated September 17, 2021, for related information. You 
may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2022-0153.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: 
+41848247365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

    Issued on March 7, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05223 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P