Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41285-41286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15532]



[[Page 41285]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0383; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-17498; AD 2013-13-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as a need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations 
section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance 
manual). The limitations were revised to include an emergency fuel 
control system adjustment test. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 14, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 
STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 
67 73; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: 
aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2013 (78 FR 
24689). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by changes to the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM), which adds life-limits, revises life-limits or adds 
inspections not previously identified.
    These documents include the maintenance instructions and/or 
airworthiness limitations developed by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. and 
approved by FOCA. Failure to comply with these instructions and 
limitations could potentially lead to unsafe condition.
    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. published Pilatus PC-7 AMM report no. 
01715 revision 31 dated 30 November 2012 to incorporate a 300 Flight 
Hour (FH) hour inspection on the Emergency Fuel Control System 
(FCS).
    For the reason described above, this AD requires the 
implementation and the compliance with this new maintenance 
requirement.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 24689, April 26, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 24689, April 26, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 24689, April 26, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 15 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,425, or $95 per product.

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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (78 FR 24689, April 26, 
2013), the regulatory

[[Page 41286]]

evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 AD:

2013-13-10 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-17498; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0383; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-008-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 14, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 76: Engine 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a need to 
incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section of the FAA-
approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). The 
limitations were revised to include an emergency fuel control system 
adjustment test. We are issuing this AD to ensure the continued 
operational safety of the affected airplanes.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 90 days after August 14, 2013 (the effective 
date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 300 hours time-in-service, do the Emergency Fuel Control 
System-Adjustment/Test following the Functional Test Procedures on 
pages 501 and 502 of Section 76-20-00, Emergency Fuel Control 
System, of Chapter 76, Engine Controls, dated November 30, 2010, 
found in PILATUS PC-7 Turbo Trainer Aircraft Maintenance Manual, 
Document No. 01715, Revision 27 USA, dated November 30, 2010.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:  Federal Office of Civil 
Aviation of Switzerland AD No. HB-2013-003, dated April 2, 2013, 
requires inserting, in its entirety, the revised Chapter/Section 05-
10-20, Time Limited Inspection Requirements, of PILATUS PC-7 Turbo 
Trainer Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Document No. 01715, Revision 
31, dated November 30, 2012, into the Limitations section of the 
aircraft maintenance manual. However, only the section referring to 
Chapter 76--Engine Controls found on page 4 of the revised Chapter 5 
pertains to the requirements of this AD. Other chapters in the 
revised Chapter 5 are covered in other AD actions.

    (2) As a result of the functional test required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, if a discrepancy is found that is not identified 
in the document listed in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before 
further flight after finding the discrepancy, contact Pilatus 
Aircraft Ltd. at the address specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
AD for an FAA-approved repair scheme approved specifically for 
compliance with this AD and incorporate the repair.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2013-003, 
dated March 19, 2013, which can be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, and PILATUS PC-7 Maintenance 
Manual, Time Limited Inspection Requirements, 50-10-20, pages 1 
through 6, dated November 30, 2012, which can be obtained from the 
manufacturer at the address specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
AD, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Emergency Fuel Control System-Adjustment/Test, pages 501 and 
502 of Section 76-20-00, Emergency Fuel Control System, of Chapter 
76, Engine Controls, dated November 30, 2010, found in PILATUS PC-7 
Turbo Trainer Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AFM), Document No. 01715, 
Revision 27 USA, dated November 30, 2010.

    Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this AD: The correct revision 
level for the AFM is only indicated on page 1 of the Publication 
Transmittal Letter.

    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in 
this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Technical Support 
(MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 
(0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73; Internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com or email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 24, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15532 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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