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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56202-56204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27652]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-24-AD; Amendment 39-12494; AD 2001-22-15]
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 all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/
45 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the cargo doors to 
identify front and rear end frames with plain lightening holes and 
install reinforcing plates on any frame with plain lightening holes. 
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

[[Page 56203]]

intended to prevent cracking at the edges of the unflanged lightening 
holes, which could result in major structural damage to the airplane. 
Such damage could result in possible loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 26, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 26, 2001.

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; or 
from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 
Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099; 
facsimile: (303) 465-6040. You may view this information at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-24-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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 FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Pilatus 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that, during 
production, some PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes were equipped with cargo 
doors that do not have reinforcing flanges on the lightening holes in 
the front and rear end of the cargo door frames.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected 
and corrected, cracking at the edges of the unflanged lightening holes 
could result in major structural damage to the airplane. Such damage 
could result in possible loss of control of the airplane.
    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 all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 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 22, 2001 
(66 FR 44093). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the cargo 
doors to identify front and rear end frames with plain lightening 
holes; and install reinforcing plates on any frame with plain 
lightening holes.
    The Swiss AD and the manufacturer's service information applies to 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 301 through 370 and all part-number 
(P/N) 552.30.12.051 and P/N 552.30.12.052, held as spares. We are 
expanding the applicability of this AD to all serial numbered 
airplanes. We are expanding the inspection and installation actions to 
cover MSN 101 through MSN 370, instead of MSN 301 through MSN 370, 
because these cargo doors may have been installed on MSN 101 through 
MSN 370 through field approval or other methods. Since cargo doors, 
part-number P/N 552.30.12.051 and P/N 552.30.12.052, held as spares, 
may be installed on airplanes not covered by the applicability of the 
service information, the cargo doors on all serial numbered airplanes 
will have to be inspected and modified if necessary, prior to 
installation.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not 
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of 
the cost to the public.

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 have determined that these minor corrections:

--Provide 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.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 230 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                               Parts cost                airplane     U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60.............  No parts required for the                    $60        $13,800.
                                                 inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
modifications that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =      Provided by the                $120.
 $120.                               manufacturer free
                                     of charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 56204]]

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 Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-22-15  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-12494; Docket No. 
2001-CE-24-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (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 prevent cracking at the edges of the 
unflanged lightening holes, which could result in major structural 
damage to the airplane. Such damage could result in possible loss of 
control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For manufacturer serial   Within the next 50    In accordance with
 numbers (MSN) 101 through     hours time-in-        the Accomplishment
 370, inspect the front and    service (TIS) after   Instructions
 rear frames of the cargo      December 26, 2001     section of Pilatus
 door for lightening holes     (the effective date   Service Bulletin
 with plain rims.              of this AD).          No. 52-004, dated
                                                     April 20, 2001.
(2) If, during the            Prior to further      In accordance with
 inspection required in        flight after the      the Accomplishment
 paragraph (d)(1) of this      inspection required   Instructions
 AD, a plain rim is found,     in paragraph (d)(1)   section of Pilatus
 install a reinforcing plate.  of this AD.           Service Bulletin
                                                     No. 52-004, dated
                                                     April 20, 2001.
(3) For all serial numbered   As of December 26,    In accordance with
 airplanes, do not install     2001 (the effective   the Accomplishment
 any cargo door, part-number   date of this AD).     Instructions
 (P/N) 552.30.12.051 or P/N                          section of Pilatus
 552.30.12.052 (or FAA-                              Service Bulletin
 approved equivalent part                            No. 52-004, dated
 number), unless it has been                         April 20, 2001.
 inspected as required in
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD
 and modified as required in
 paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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.

    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 Doug  Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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. 52-004, dated April 20, 2001. 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; or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product 
Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021. 
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 26, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 2001-
389, dated June 25, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 26, 2001.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-27652 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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