Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35778-35781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5587]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-14664; AD 2006-13-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-
6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, 
PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, 
and PC-6/C1-H2 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
supersedes AD 2002-21-08, which applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd 
(Pilatus) Model PC-6 airplanes. AD 2002-21-08 currently requires you to 
inspect the aileron assembly for correct

[[Page 35779]]

configuration and modify as necessary. Since we issued AD 2002-21-08, 
the FAA determined the action should also apply to all the models of 
the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type certificate data sheet of Type 
Certificate (TC) No. 7A15 that were produced in the United States 
through a licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild Republic 
Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli 
Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation). In addition, the intent of 
the applicability of AD 2002-21-08 was to apply to all the affected 
serial numbers of the airplane models listed in TC No. 7A15. This AD 
retains all the actions of AD 2002-21-08, adds those Fairchild Republic 
Company airplanes to the applicability of this AD, and lists the 
individual specific airplane models. We are issuing this AD to correct 
improper aileron assembly configuration, which could result in failure 
of the aileron mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 7, 2006.
    As of December 6, 2002 (67 FR 64520, October 21, 2002), the 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation 
by reference of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 62B, dated May 1967, and 
Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 57-001, dated December 20, 2001, in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224.
    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-2006-24090; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-16-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

    On April 17, 2006, 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 the models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type 
certificate data sheet of TC No. 7A15 that are produced in the United 
States through a licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild 
Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild 
Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation) airplanes. This proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20597). The NPRM proposed to 
supersede AD 2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914 (67 FR 64520, October 21, 
2002), add those Fairchild Republic Company airplanes to the 
applicability of this proposed AD, and list the individual specific 
airplane models. The NPRM proposed to retain all the actions of AD 
2002-21-08 for inspecting and modifying the aileron assembly.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received one comment in favor of the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    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:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 49 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Total cost per       Total cost on U.S.
            Labor cost                        Parts cost                airplane              operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80.  Not Applicable.................             $80   49 x $80 = $3,920.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Labor cost                      Parts cost                 Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 work-hours x $80 per hour = $1,280.......            $419   $1,280 + $419 = $1,699.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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

    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.
    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

[[Page 35780]]

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-2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914 (67 FR 64520, October 21, 2002), and by 
adding the following new AD:

2006-13-11 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-14664; Docket No. 
FAA-2006-24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on August 7, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-21-08, Amendment 39-12914.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects the following Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, 
PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, 
PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/
C1-H2 airplanes and serial numbers that are certificated in any 
category:
    (1) Group 1 (maintains the actions from AD 2002-21-08): All 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including 939.
    (2) Group 2: MSN 2001 through 2092.

    Note: These airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic 
Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or 
Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland that requires the actions of AD 2002-21-08 for the added 
MSN 2001 through 2092 for all the models of the PC-6 airplanes 
listed in the type certificate data sheet of Type Certificate (TC) 
No. 7A15. We are issuing this AD to correct improper aileron 
assembly configuration, which could result in failure of the aileron 
mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to loss of control of 
the airplane.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the aileron       (i) For Group 1       Follow Pilatus
 assembly for proper           Airplanes: Within     Service Bulletin
 configuration.                the next 30 days      No. 62B, dated May
                               after December 6,     1967, as specified
                               2002 (the effective   in Pilatus PC-6
                               date of AD 2002-21-   Service Bulletin
                               08), unless already   No. 57-001, dated
                               done.                 December 20, 2001.
                              (ii) For Group 2
                               Airplanes: Within
                               the next 30 days
                               after August 7,
                               2006 (the effective
                               date of this AD),
                               unless already
                               done..
(2) If the aileron assembly   For All Airplanes:    Follow Pilatus
 configuration incorporates    Before further        Service Bulletin
 aileron part number (P/N)     flight after the      No. 62B, dated May
 6106.10.xxx or P/N            inspection required   1967, as specified
 6106.0010.xxx, modify the     in paragraph (e)(1)   in Pilatus PC-6
 assembly following Pilatus    of this AD, unless    Service Bulletin
 Service Bulletin No. 62B,     already done.         No. 57-001, dated
 dated May 1967, and install                         December 20, 2001.
 a placard.
(3) If the aileron assembly   For All Airplanes:    Follow Pilatus PC-6
 configuration differs from    Before further        Service Bulletin
 that specified in Pilatus     flight after the      No. 57-001, dated
 Service Bulletin No. 62B,     inspection required   December 20, 2001.
 dated May 1967, or if the     in paragraph (e)(1)
 part numbers are missing      of this AD, unless
 and cannot be verified:       already done.
    (i) Obtain a repair
     scheme from the
     manufacturer through
     the FAA at the address
     specified in paragraph
     (f) of this AD; and
    (ii) Incorporate this
     repair scheme.
(4) Do not install any        (i) For Group 1       Follow Pilatus PC-6
 aileron assembly unless the   Airplanes: As of      Service Bulletin
 inspection, modification,     December 6, 2002      No. 57-001, dated
 placard, and repair           (the effective date   December 20, 2001.
 requirements (as              of AD 2002-21-08).
 applicable) of paragraphs    (ii) For Group 2
 (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3),       Airplanes: As of
 (e)(3)(i), and (e)(3)(ii)     August 7, 2006 (the
 of this AD are done.          effective date of
                               this AD)..
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (g) AMOCs approved for AD 2002-21-08 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

    (h) Swiss Airworthiness Directive Number HB 2005-289, effective 
date August 23, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 62B, dated May 1967, 
and Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 57-001, dated December 20, 2001.
    (1) As of December 6, 2002 (67 FR 64520, October 21, 2002), the 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 62B, 
dated May 1967, and Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 57-001, dated 
December 20, 2001, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51.

[[Page 35781]]

    (2) To get a copy of this service information, contact Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; 
telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224. 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-2006-
24090; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-16-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13, 2006.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5587 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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