Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 76 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20708-20710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7563]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-20006; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-49-AD; 
Amendment 39-14059; AD 2005-08-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited Models B4-
PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pilatus Aircraft Limited (Pilatus) Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-
PC11AF sailplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the 
control-column support for cracks and, if any cracks are found, replace 
the control-column support with a new support. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct cracks in the control-column support, which could 
result in failure of the support. This failure could lead to loss of 
the primary flight control system.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 2, 2005.
    As of June 2, 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; 
email: aircraft.com">fodermatt@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-2004-20006; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-49-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,

[[Page 20709]]

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 
Aircraft Limited (Pilatus) Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF 
sailplanes. The FOCA reports nine occurrences of cracks in the support 
of the control-column (part number (P/N) 112.35.11.072).
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracks in the 
control-column support could result in failure and lead to loss of the 
primary flight control system.
    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 Limited 
(Pilatus) Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF sailplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on February 11, 2005 (70 FR 7217). The NPRM proposed 
to require you to repetitively inspect the control-column support for 
cracks and, if any cracks are found, replace the control-column support 
with a new support.

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 sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 32 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to do the 
inspection of the control-column support:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost           sailplane       Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65...  Not applicable........             $65  32 x $65 = $2,080
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of this inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of sailplanes that may need this 
replacement of the control-column support:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total cost  per
               Labor cost                  Parts cost      sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 work hours x $65 per hour = $325......         $250               $575
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2004-20006; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-49-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 20710]]

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

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:

2005-08-07 Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-14059; Docket No. 
FAA-2004-20006; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-49-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 2, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, 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 cracks in the control-column support, which could result 
in failure of the support. This failure could lead to loss of the 
primary flight control system.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the control-column    Initially inspect   Follow Pilatus B4-
 support (part number (P/N)        within 12           PC 11 Aircraft
 112.35.11.072) for cracks.        calendar months     Ltd. Service
                                   after the last      Bulletin No.
                                   inspection under    1005, Revision
                                   Pilatus Aircraft    No. 2, dated
                                   Ltd. Service        April 22, 2004.
                                   Bulletin No.
                                   1005, Revision
                                   No. 1, dated
                                   April 9, 2003, or
                                   Pilatus Aircraft
                                   Ltd. Service
                                   Bulletin No.
                                   1005, Revision
                                   No. 2, dated
                                   April 22, 2004,
                                   where no cracks
                                   were found or
                                   within the next
                                   30 days after
                                   June 2, 2005 (the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD),
                                   whichever occurs
                                   later, unless
                                   already done.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect 2004.
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed every 12
                                   calendar months
                                   regardless of
                                   whether the
                                   control-column
                                   support was
                                   replaced.
(2) If any cracks are found       Before further      Follow Pilatus B4-
 after the inspection required     flight after the    PC 11 Aircraft
 by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,   inspection          Ltd. Service
 replace the control-column        required by         Bulletin No.
 support (P/N 112.35.11.072)       paragraph (e)(1)    1005, Revision
 with a new control-column         of this AD where    No. 2, dated
 support (P/N 112.35.11.072).      you found the       April 22, 2004.
                                   crack. Continue
                                   the repetitive
                                   inspections
                                   required by
                                   paragraph (e)(1)
                                   of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

May I Obtain a Special Flight Permit for the Initial Inspection 
Requirement of This AD?

    (g) No. Special flight permits are not allowed for this AD.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Swiss AD Number HB 2004-491, dated December 23, 2004, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Pilatus B4-PC 11 Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 
1005, Revision No. 2, dated April 22, 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; email: 
aircraft.com">fodermatt@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-2004-20006; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-49-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 11, 2005.
Nancy C. Lane,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7563 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
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