Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5428-5429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2399]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-64-AD; Amendment 39-11549; AD 2000-02-31]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and 
PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY:  This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-
12/45 airplanes. This AD requires replacing the stick pusher capstan 
and the stick pusher servo with parts of improved design. The AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent improper operation of the stick 
pusher system caused by the existing design configuration, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane during a stall.

DATES:  Effective March 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. 
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-64-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-
4090.

[[Page 5429]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus 
Models PC-12 and PC12/45 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 23, 1999 
(64 FR 65666). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the stick pusher 
capstan and the stick pusher servo with parts of improved design. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as 
specified in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 69 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Pilatus will provide parts free of charge 
until March 2000. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $33,120, or $480 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2000-02-31  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-11549; Docket No. 
99-CE-64-AD.

    Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, all 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 180, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent improper operation of the stick pusher system caused 
by the existing design configuration, which could result in the loss 
of control of the airplane during a stall, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the stick pusher capstan and 
stick pusher servo with parts of improved design, in accordance with 
the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in Pilatus Service 
Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999. The new part numbers (P/N) 
are as follows:
    (1) Stick Pusher Capstan: P/N 978.61.11.124 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number); and
    (2) Stick Pusher Servo: P/N 978.61.11.103 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number).
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any of the affected airplanes, a stick pusher capstan or stick 
pusher servo that is not of the part number specified in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, respectively.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2:  Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus 
Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999, should be directed 
to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 
51. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3:  The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 99-
406, dated August 16, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 27, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 27, 2000.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2399 Filed 2-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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