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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58265-58268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25477]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-13333; AD 2003-20-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect for certain installed fuel 
booster pumps and replace that fuel booster pump, inspect other certain 
fuel booster pumps for defects, and either install lead protection 
spiral wrap or replace the defective fuel booster pumps, depending on 
whether defects are found. This AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
any defective fuel booster pump, which could result in electrical 
arcing from the leads in an air/fuel mixture.

[[Page 58266]]

Such failure could lead to a fire or explosion of a fuel tank.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on October 10, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
October 10, 2003.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by December 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this AD:
    [sbull] By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-42-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    [sbull] By fax: (816) 329-3771.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-42-AD'' in the subject 
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files, 
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
    You may get the service information identified 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 the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-42-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 11 reports of damaged fuel booster pump 
wires from 9 different aircraft. Within the FAA service difficulty/
accident report system, we found eight occurrences of damaged fuel 
booster pump wires. This damage to the electrical wires could possibly 
cause electrical arcing when the wires get in an air/fuel mixture.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Such electrical arcing could lead to a fire or explosion of a fuel 
tank.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Pilatus has issued:
    Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 28-011, Revision No. 1, dated 
July 11, 2003;
    Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 12-03 (12-
10-01), dated June 6, 2003; and
    Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 28-02 (28-
20-04), dated June 6, 2003.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service information includes procedures for:

--Inspecting the fuel booster pumps for defects;
--Replacing fuel booster pumps;
--Installing lead protection spiral wrap; and
--Incorporating Temporary Revision No. 7, dated June 6, 2003, or 
Temporary Revision No. 37, dated June 6, 2003, to the Section 2--
Limitations section of the applicable pilot's operating handbook (POH). 
This is a temporary option and replacing the subject fuel booster pump 
or installing the lead protection spiral wrap is mandatory within a 
certain time frame.

What Action Did the FOCA Take?

    The FOCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Swiss AD Number HB 2003-301, dated July 17, 2003, in order to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Switzerland.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    The Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 are manufactured in 
Switzerland and are type-certificated for operation in the United 
States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness 
agreement.
    Per this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

What Has FAA decided?

    We have examined the FOCA's findings, reviewed all available 
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes of the 
same type design that are registered in the United States, this AD is 
being issued to detect and correct any defective fuel booster pump, 
which could result in electrical arcing from the leads in an air/fuel 
mixture. Such failure could lead to a fire or explosion of a fuel tank.

What Does This AD Require?

    This AD requires you to incorporate the actions in the previously-
referenced service information.
    In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to obtain technical information and information on 
operational and economic impacts. We did not receive any information 
through these contacts. If received, we would have included, in the 
rulemaking docket, a discussion of any information that may have 
influenced this action.

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This AD?

    On July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of this AD is within the next 7 calendar days 
after October 10, 2003 (the effective date of this AD).

Why Is This Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours 
TIS?

    The leads may rub and arc as a result of aircraft operation. 
Therefore, FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time 
should be utilized in this AD in order to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed on all aircraft in a reasonable time period.

Comments Invited

Will I Have the Opportunity To Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule?

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an

[[Page 58267]]

opportunity for public comment; however, we invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your 
comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 
2003-CE-42-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to 
acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-
stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite 
comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy 
aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person 
contacts us through a nonwritten communication, and that contact 
relates to a substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact 
and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments 
received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those 
comments.

Regulatory Findings

Will This AD Impact Various Entities?

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

Will This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-42-AD'' in your request.

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2003-20-15 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-13333; Docket No. 
2003-CE-42-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on October 10, 2003.

Are Any Other ADs Affected By This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial 
numbers 101 through 520, with fuel booster pump (fuel pump) part 
number (P/N) 969.84.11.401, 968.84.11.403, or 968.84.11.404 
installed, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any 
defective fuel booster pump, which could result in electrical arcing 
from the leads in an air/fuel mixture. Such electrical arcing could 
lead to a fire or explosion of a fuel tank.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following 
unless already accomplished:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace any installed     Within the next 7     Per Pilatus PC12
 fuel booster pump part        calendar days after   Service Bulletin
 number (P/N) 969.84.11.401    October 10, 2003      No. 28-011,
 with a fuel pump that has     (the effective date   Revision No. 1,
 the Pilatus PC12 Service      of this AD).          dated July 11,
 Bulletin No. 28-011,                                2003, Pilatus PC12
 Revision No. 1, dated July                          Maintenance Manual
 11, 2003, modification                              Temporary Revision
 incorporated.                                       No. 12-03 (12-10-
                                                     01), dated June 6,
                                                     2003, and Pilatus
                                                     PC12 Maintenance
                                                     Manual Temporary
                                                     Revision No. 28-02
                                                     (28-20-04), dated
                                                     June 6, 2003.
(2) Inspect the installed     Within the next 7     Per Pilatus PC12
 fuel booster pump P/N         calendar days after   Service Bulletin
 968.84.11.403 or              October 10, 2003      No. 28-011,
 968.84.11.404 for defects:    (the effective date   Revision No. 1,
(i) If defects are found,      of this AD).          dated July 11,
 replace the fuel booster                            2003, Pilatus PC12
 pump with a fuel booster                            Maintenance Manual
 pump that has the                                   Temporary Revision
 modification referenced in                          No. 12-03 (12-10-
 Pilatus PC12 Service                                01), dated June 6,
 Bulletin No. 28-011,                                2003, and Pilatus
 Revision No. 1, dated July                          PC12 Maintenance
 11, 2003..                                          Manual Temporary
                                                     Revision No. 28-02
                                                     (28-20-04), dated
                                                     June 6, 2003, and
                                                     Pilatus PC12
                                                     Maintenance Manual
                                                     Temporary Revision
                                                     No. 28-02 (28-20-
                                                     04), dated June 6,
                                                     2003.
(ii) If no defects are
 found:
(B) Re-identify the fuel
 booster pump P/N and
 968.84.11.403 or
 968.84.11.404 by adding the
 suffix letter ``B''
 adjacent to the serial
 Maintenance number on the
 fuel pump identification
 plate..
(3) Do not install any part   As of October 10,     Not applicable.
 referenced in paragraph       2003 (the effective
 (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD   date of this AD).
 unless it has been modified
 per Pilatus PC12 Service
 Bulletin No. 28-011,
 Revision No. 1, dated July
 11, 2003.

[[Page 58268]]

 
(4) If you have scheduled     Prior to further      Anyone who holds at
 the replacement or            flight after          least a private
 installation required by      scheduling the        pilot certificate,
 paragraphs (e)(1) and         replacement of        as authorized by
 (e)(2) of this AD, but the    installation. The     section 43.7 of the
 schedule puts you beyond      replacement or        Federal Aviation
 the time to comply, you may   installation of       Regulations (14 CFR
 insert Temporary Revision     paragraphs (e)(1)     43.7), may
 No. 7, dated June 6, 2003,    and (e)(2) of this    incorporate the POH
 or Temporary Revision No.     AD must be            revision required
 37, dated June 6, 2003, in    accomplished within   by this AD. You
 the Section 2--Limitations    50 hours time-in-     must make an entry
 section of the applicable     service after         into the aircraft
 pilot's operating handbook    October 10, 2003      records that shows
 (POH) and operate the         (the effective date   compliance with
 aircraft according.           of this AD). After    this AD, per
                               compliance with       section 43.9 of the
                               paragraphs (e)(1)     Federal Aviation
                               and (e)(2) of this    Regulations (14 CFR
                               AD, you may remove    43.9). Send the
                               Temporary Revision    following to the
                               No. 7, dated June     Small Airplane
                               6, 2003, or           Directorate using
                               Temporary Revision    the procedures
                               No. 37, dated June    described in
                               6, 2003, from the     paragraph (f) of
                               POH.                  this AD: the
                                                     airplane model and
                                                     serial number
                                                     designation; the
                                                     number of hours TIS
                                                     on the airplane;
                                                     the scheduled date
                                                     for the replacement/
                                                     installation; and
                                                     the name and
                                                     location of the
                                                     authorized repair
                                                     shop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, 
Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on 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.

Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Pilatus PC12 
Service Bulletin No. 28-011, Revision No. 1, dated July 11, 2003, 
Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 12-03 (12-10-
01), dated June 6, 2003, and Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual 
Temporary Revision No. 28-02 (28-20-04), dated June 6, 2003. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from Pilatus Business 
Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, 
Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099; facsimile: 
(303) 465-6040.
    You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Swiss AD Number HB 2003-301, dated July 17, 2003, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 2, 2003.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25477 Filed 10-8-03; 8:45 am]
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