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

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 209 (Friday, October 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64340-64342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27222]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-03-AD; Amendment 39-11946; AD 2000-21-14]
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 you to perform a one-time inspection 
for abrasion damage, distortion, and proper clearance of the torque 
oil-pressure tubes and py pressure pipe, and if necessary, adjust and 
replace these components. This 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 
correct abrasive damage from rubbing pipes and consequent loss of 
engine oil.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 15, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224. 
You may examine this information at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2000-CE-03-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Federal Office for Civil 
Aviation (FOCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Switzerland, 
recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain 
Pilatus Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that 3 
airplanes had rubbing pipes, 2 with consequent leakage of engine oil. 
Inadequate clearance caused these components to touch and rub.
    What are the consequences if you do not correct the condition? This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of propulsion during 
flight.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued 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 PC-
12/45 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 18, 2000 (65 FR 
50466). The NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the 
torque oil-pressure tubes and py pressure pipe; and adjust and replace, 
if necessary, the torque oil-pressure tubes and py pressure pipe.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:
    <bullet> Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
    <bullet> Will not add any additional burden upon the public than 
was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 108 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection:

[[Page 64341]]



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            Labor cost                           Parts cost                        Total cost per airplane         Total cost on U.S. airplane operators
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1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60  No part required for the..............  $60 per airplane......................  $60  x  108 = $6,480.
                                   inspection............................
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the adjustment and 
replacement:

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            Labor cost                           Parts cost                        Total cost per airplane         Total cost on U.S. airplane operators
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2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =     The manufacturer will provide           $120 per airplane.....................  $120  x  108 = $12,960.
 $120.                              replacement parts at no charge to the
                                    owner/operator of the affected
                                    airplanes.
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Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2000-21-14  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-11946; Docket No. 
2000-CE-03-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSN) 101 through MSN 301, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Are equipped with any of the following Pilatus torque oil-
pressure tubes and py pressure pipe assemblies:
    (i) Pilatus part number (P/N) 577.11.12.105 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number);
    (ii) Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) P/N 3119969 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number); and
    (iii) Pilatus P/N 577.11.12.104 (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number).
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct chafing damage and consequent loss 
of engine oil caused by rubbing pipes. Such damage could result in 
loss of propulsion during critical phases of flight.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the torque oil-   Within the next 50    Accomplish in
 pressure tubes and the py     hours time-in-        accordance with the
 pressure pipe assemblies      service (TIS) after   ACCOMPLISHMENT
 for abrasion damage and       December 15, 2000     INSTRUCTIONS--AIRCR
 distortion.                   (the effective date   AFT paragraph of
                               of the AD).           Pilatus Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 71-
                                                     004, dated December
                                                     22, 1999.
(2) If there is any abrasion  Before further        As specified in the
 damage or distortion,         flight after the      above-referenced
 accomplish the following.     inspection.           service
                                                     information.
(i) Replace the pipes and
 tubes with the damage or
 distortion; and
(ii) Make sure there is a
 clearance distance of not
 less than 0.12 inches (3.0
 millimeters), and make any
 appropriate adjustments.
(3) If no abrasion damage or  Before further        As specified in the
 distortion is found, make     flight after the      above-referenced
 sure there is a clearance     inspection.           service
 distance of not less than                           information.
 0.12 inches (3.0
 millimeters), and make any
 appropriate adjustments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.


[[Page 64342]]


    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact 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.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 71-004, dated December 22, 1999. 
The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 
Stans, Switzerland. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on December 15, 2000.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD Number 
HB 2000-007, dated January 17, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-27222 Filed 10-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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