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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41903-41906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17566]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-13226; AD 2003-14-07]
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 repetitively replace the nose 
landing gear (NLG) drag link right-hand part every 4,000 landings until 
an improved design NLG drag link right-hand part is installed. This AD 
also requires you to install an improved design NLG drag link right-
hand part as terminating action for the repetitive replacements. 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 prevent structural failure 
of the nose landing gear (NLG) caused by fatigue damage to the NLG drag 
link right-hand part that develops over time. Such failure could result 
in either an unintended NLG extension during flight or the NLG not 
properly locking upon extension, which could lead to loss of airplane 
control during landing operations.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 5, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
September 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
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. 2002-CE-51-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 certain 
Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that 3 
aircraft experienced a failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) drag link 
assembly during cruise flight. The actuator attachment levers on the 
right-hand upper drag link part failed. In all cases, the NLG fell out 
due to gravity, and the emergency spring pack extended it forward and 
allowed safe landings.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Structural 
failure of the

[[Page 41904]]

NLG drag link right-hand part could result in either an unintended NLG 
extension during flight or the NLG not properly locking upon extension. 
This could lead to loss of airplane control during landing operations.
    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 Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 23, 2003 (68 
FR 19963). The supplemental NPRM proposed to require you to 
repetitively replace the nose landing gear (NLG) drag link right-hand 
part every 4,000 landings until an improved design NLG drag link right-
hand part is installed. The NPRM also proposed to require you to 
install an improved design NLG drag link right-hand part as terminating 
action for the repetitive replacements.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following 
presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to 
each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Temporary Revision Incorporated in Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual

    What is the commenter's concern? A commenter states that when the 
NPRM and the supplemental NPRM were issued that the reference to 
Temporary Revision No. 32-14, dated June 4, 2002, to Pilatus PC-12 
Maintenance Manual 32-20-06, was correct. However, since issuance of 
the NPRMs, Pilatus has incorporated the temporary revision into the 
Pilatus PC-12 Maintenance Manual. The commenter recommends that FAA 
revise the reference to read the Pilatus PC-12 Maintenance Manual 32-
20-06 instead of the temporary revision.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? We concur with the commenter 
and for clarity and completeness will change the final rule AD action 
to incorporate this change.

Comment Issue No. 2: Use of Correct Service Bulletin

    What is the commenter's concern? A commenter states that Pilatus 
has issued PC12 Service Bulletin No. 32-014, Revision No. 1, dated May 
13, 2003, which includes minor changes. However, the commenter points 
out that compliance following either the original service bulletin or 
the revised service bulletin should be acceptable. Further, operators 
who do the work following the revised service bulletin should not need 
to request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). The commenter 
recommends the final AD action include references to the original 
service bulletin and the revised service bulletin.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? The FAA agrees and we are 
changing the final rule AD to provide for owners/operators who 
accomplish the work under either the original service bulletin or 
Revision 1 of the service bulletin.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We carefully 
reviewed all available information related to the subject presented 
above and determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the changes discussed 
above and minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
changes and 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.

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of 
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included 
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 265 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 
replacement with the same design part:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total cost per
                  Labor cost                      Parts cost       airplane       Total cost on U.S. operators
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6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360.............          $1,000          $1,360  $1,360 x 265 = $360,400.
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacement with 
the improved design part:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total cost per
                  Labor cost                      Parts cost       airplane       Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360.............          $2,200          $2,560  $2,560 x 265 = $678,400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is based on the number of landings rather than hours TIS.
    Why is the compliance time of this AD presented in landings? The 
reason for this type of compliance is that the area that is showing 
fatigue is the NLG drag link right-hand part. This area of the airplane 
is used during the landing operation. We have determined to base the 
compliance time for this AD upon the number of landings.
    Since airplane operators are not required to keep track of 
landings, we will provide a method of calculating hours TIS into 
landings.

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

[[Page 41905]]

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

0
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

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

2003-14-07 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-13226; Docket No. 
2002-CE-51-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 airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent structural failure of the nose 
landing gear (NLG) caused by fatigue damage to the NLG drag link 
right-hand part that develops over time. Such failure could result 
in either an unintended NLG extension during flight or the NLG not 
properly locking upon extension, which could lead to loss of 
airplane control during landing operations.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the nose landing  Upon the              In accordance with
 gear (NLG) drag link          accumulation of       the Pilatus PC-12
 righthand part, part number   4,000 landings on     the Maintenance
 (P/N) 532.20.12.140 with:.    the nose landing      Manual 32-20-06,
(i) The same P/N               gear (NLG) drag       pages 401 through
 532.20.12.140 or FAA-         link right hand       405, dated October
 approved equivalent part      part or within the    1, 2002.
 number; or.                   next 100 landings
(ii) Improved design NLG       after September 5,
 drag link right-hand part,    2003 (the effective
 P/N 532.20.12.289.            date of this AD),
                               whichever occurs
                               later.
                               Incorporation of
                               the improved-design
                               NLG drag link brace
                               is terminating
                               action for this AD.
(2) If replacement in         Upon the              In accordance with
 paragraph (d)(1) is with      accumulation of       the Pilatus PC-12
 the original style part,      4,000 landings.       Maintenance Manual
 replace with:.                Incorporation of      32-20-06, pages 401
(i) The same P/N               improved-design NLG   through 405, dated
 532.20.12.140 or FAA-         drag link brace is    October 1, 2002.
 approved equivalent part      terminating action
 number; or.                   for this AD.
(ii) Improved design NLG
 drag link right-hand part,
 P/N 532.20.12.289.
(3) Unless already            At the third          In accordance with
 accomplished per paragraph    replacement           either Pilatus
 (d)(1) or (d)(2), replace     required in           Aircraft Ltd. PC12
 the NLG drag link right-      paragraph (d)(2) of   Service Bulletin
 hand part, P/N                this AD.              No. 32-014, dated
 532.20.12.140, with an                              August 13, 2002, or
 improved design NLG drag                            Pilatus Aircraft
 link right-hand part, P/N                           Ltd. PC12 Service
 532.20.12.289 or FAA-                               Bulletin No. 32-
 approved equivalent part                            014, Revision No.
 number. Installing the                              1, dated May 13,
 improved part number                                2003, and the
 terminates the repetitive                           Pilatus PC-12
 replacement requirements of                         Maintenance Manual.
 paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
(4) Do not install, on any    When an improved P/N  Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, an NLG     532.20.12.289 NLG
 drag link right-hand part     drag link part is
 that is not P/N               installed after the
 532.20.12.289 or FAA-         effective date of
 approved equivalent part      this AD.
 number.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What if I do not keep track of landings? The compliance 
times of this AD are presented in landings instead of hours time-in-
service (TIS). If landings are not known, hours TIS may be used by 
dividing the numbers of hours TIS by the unknown landings factor 
(0.75).

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, 3,000 hours TIS would be 
equivalent to 4,000 landings (3,000 hours/0.75 = 4,000 landings).

    (f) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, use 
the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the Standards 
Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. 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 for information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance.
    (g) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with either Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 32-014, 
dated August 13, 2002, or Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service 
Bulletin No. 32-014, Revision No. 1, dated May 13, 2003; and Pilatus 
PC-12 Maintenance Manual 32-20-06, pages 401 through 405, dated 
October 1, 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies 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 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.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD Number 
HB 2002-271, dated June 17, 2002.

    (h) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on September 5, 2003.


[[Page 41906]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17566 Filed 7-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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