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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61723-61727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21255]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-AD; 
Amendment 39-14348; AD 2005-22-04]
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.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. 
This AD requires you to determine (maintenance records check and/or 
inspection) whether certain nose landing gear (NLG), main landing gear 
(MLG), and MLG shock absorber assemblies with a serial number beginning 
with ``AM'' are

[[Page 61724]]

installed, and, if installed, would require you to replace them with 
ones without the ``AM.'' 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 the NLG, 
MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies that are affected by hydrogen 
embrittlement, which could result in failure of the landing gear. This 
failure could lead to nose or main landing gear collapse during 
operation with consequent loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 12, 2005.
    As of December 12, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 619 7311; e-
mail: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com or from Pilatus Business 
Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, 
Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099; facsimile: (303) 
465-6040.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-22018; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-41-AD.

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 Pilatus 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that some 
components of the main landing gear (MLG), nose landing gear (NLG), and 
MLG shock absorber assemblies have the potential to fail during 
operation.
    Investigations revealed that an improper cadmium plating process 
applied to the high strength steel part causes the problem. This can 
result in hydrogen embrittlement. Affected are only components that are 
installed on MLG, NLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies, with serial 
numbers that start with the letters ``AM.'' Components in this 
condition can experience a decreased fatigue life.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the 
nose or main landing gear could lead to nose or main landing gear 
collapse during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.
    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 Aircraft Ltd. 
(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 22, 2005 (70 FR 48914). The NPRM proposed to require 
you to determine (maintenance records check and/or inspection) whether 
certain nose landing gear (NLG), main landing gear (MLG), and MLG shock 
absorber assemblies with a serial number beginning with ``AM'' are 
installed, and, if installed, would require you to replace them with 
ones without the ``AM.''

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 350 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 do the check of 
the logbook to identify NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies 
with serial numbers that start with the letters AM:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total cost per
             Labor cost                      Parts cost           airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65....  Not applicable.........             $65  350 x $65 = $22,750.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary inspection and 
replacement of all possible NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies 
that would be required based on the results of this check of the 
logbook. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may 
need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total cost per
         Labor cost                Parts cost             airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41 work hours x $65 per hour  $3,800 for the NLG    $2,665 + $3,800 +
 = $2,665.                     kit, $850 for the     $850 + $2,600 =
                               MLG kit, and $2,600   $9,915.
                               for the MLG shock
                               absorber assembly
                               kit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 61725]]

    Pilatus will provide warranty credit for replacing the specified 
assemblies to the extent stated in the service information.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

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 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-22-04 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-14348; Docket No. 
FAA-2005-22018; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 12, 2005.

What Other ADs Are 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, 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 101 through MSN 625, 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. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect 
and correct the nose landing gear (NLG), main landing gear (MLG), 
and MLG shock absorber assemblies that are affected by hydrogen 
embrittlement, which could result in failure of the landing gear. 
This failure could lead to nose or main landing gear collapse during 
operation with consequent loss of airplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Maintenance Records Check:    Within the next     No special
(i) For MSN 101 through MSN 471    100 hours time-in-  procedures
 and MSN 473 through MSN 482:      service (TIS) or    necessary to
 Check the maintenance records     12 calendar         check the
 to determine whether the          months after        maintenance
 following replacements have       December 12, 2005   records.
 been made:.                       (the effective
(A) Nose landing gear (NLG)        date of this AD),
 assemblies, part number (P/N)     whichever occurs
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             first, unless
 532.20.12.039 with serial         already done..
 numbers (S/N) AM 001 through AM
 045 and AM 048 through AM 054;.
(B) Main landing gear (MLG)
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.049
 and P/N 532.10.12.050 with S/N
 AM 001 through AM 027, AM 029
 through AM 045, AM 047 through
 AM 050, AM 052, and AM 053; and.
(C) MLG shock absorber            ..................  ..................
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with S/N AM 001 through AM 017,
 AM 019, AM 021 through AM 063,
 AM 065 through AM 070, AM 072
 through AM 074, AM 080, AM 084,
 AM 086, AM 089, AM 090, AM 093
 through AM 096, AM 099, AM 103
 through AM 107.
(ii) For MSN 472 and MSN 483      ..................  ..................
 through MSN 625: Verify that
 the S/N parts identified in
 paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(A),
 (e)(1)(i)(B), and (e)(1)(i)(C)
 of this AD have not been
 installed.
(iii) The owner/operator holding  ..................  ..................
 at least a private pilot
 certificate as authorized by
 section 43.7 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
 43.7) may make this check. You
 must make an entry into the
 aircraft records that shows
 compliance with this portion of
 the AD in accordance with
 section 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
 43.9).
---------------------------------

[[Page 61726]]

 
(2) If you find as a result of    Within the next     Follow Pilatus
 the check required by paragraph   100 hours time-in-  PC12 Service
 (e)(1)(i) of this AD that there   service (TIS) or    Bulletin No. 32-
 is no record of the specified     12 calendar         016, dated March
 assembly replacement, or as a     months after        11, 2004.
 result of the check required by   December 12, 2005
 paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD   (the effective
 that parts have been installed    date of this AD),
 in service, then inspect:         whichever occurs
(i) The NLG assemblies, P/N        first, unless
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             already done..
 532.20.12.039, for any S/N that
 starts with AM 001 through AM
 045 and AM 048 through AM 054..
(ii) The MLG assemblies, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, for any S/N that
 starts with AM 001 through AM
 027, AM 029 through AM 045, AM
 047 through AM 050, AM 052, and
 AM 053.
(iii) The MLG shock absorber
 assemblies, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 for any S/N that starts with AM
 001 through AM 017, AM 019, AM
 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, and AM 103
 through AM 107.
(iv) You may choose to do the
 inspection without doing the
 maintenance records check.
---------------------------------
(3) If during the inspection      Before further      Follow Pilatus
 required by paragraph (e)(2) of   flight after the    PC12 Service
 this AD, you find:                inspection          Bulletin No. 32-
(i) Any NLG assembly, P/N          required by         016, dated March
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             paragraph (e)(2)    11, 2004.
 532.20.12.039, with any S/N       of this AD.
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 045 or AM 048 through AM
 054, replace the NLG specific
 components with new components..
(ii) Any MLG assembly, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, with any S/N
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 027, AM 029 through AM 045,
 AM 047 through AM 050, AM 052,
 or AM 053, replace the MLG
 specific components with new
 components..
(iii) Any MLG shock absorber
 assembly, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with any S/N that starts with
 AM 001 through AM 017, AM 019,
 AM 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, or AM 103
 through AM 107, replace the MLG
 shock absorber specific
 components with new components.
---------------------------------
(4) Do not install:               As of December 12,  Not Applicable.
(i) Any NLG assembly, P/N          2005 (the
 532.20.12.038 and P/N             effective date of
 532.20.12.039, with any S/N       this AD)
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 045 or AM 048 effective
 through AM 054..
(ii) Any MLG assembly, P/N
 532.10.12.049 and P/N
 532.10.12.050, with any S/N
 that starts with AM 001 through
 AM 027, AM 029 through AM 045,
 AM 047 through AM 050, AM 052,
 or AM 053.
(iii) Any MLG shock absorber
 assembly, P/N 532.10.12.175,
 with any S/N that starts with
 AM 001 through AM 017, AM 019,
 AM 021 through AM 063, AM 065
 through AM 070, AM 072 through
 AM 074, AM 080, AM 084, AM 086,
 AM 089, AM 090, AM 093 through
 AM 096, AM 099, or AM 103
 through AM 107.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: AD 2002-14-22, issued on July 8, 2002 (67 FR 46582), and 
AD 2004-06-05, issued on March 15, 2004 (69 FR 13712), are still 
applicable.


    Note 2: The FAA recommends that you send any removed parts or 
assemblies to Pilatus.

May I Request an Alternative Method 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 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will 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 Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) Swiss AD Number HB-2005-168, dated May 3, 2005, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 32-016, dated 
March 11, 2004. 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. To get a copy of this 
service information, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison 
Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6208; 
facsimile: +41 41 619 7311; e-mail: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com 
or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 
11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-
9099; facsimile: (303) 465-6040. To review copies of this service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To 
view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-22018; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-41-AD.


[[Page 61727]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 19, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21255 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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