Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58874-58875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22980]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0610; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-017-AD; 
Amendment 39-17592; AD 2013-19-10]
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 PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E 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 common grounding of both the pilot primary flight display 
(PFD) and the Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS). If the 
common ground fails both navigations systems could fail simultaneously, 
which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 30, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 30, 
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 Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; 
telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32. 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. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2013 (78 FR 
42723). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During a design review of the electrical supply of navigation 
equipment installed on certain PC 12/47E aeroplanes, common 
grounding of the pilot Primary Flight Display (PFD) and the 
Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) was identified.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in case of failure 
of PFD and ESIS common ground, to simultaneous loss of more than one 
pilot flight information display and inhibition of flight parameter 
presentation, possibly resulting in reduced ability to control the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. introduced a modification in production to relocate the ESIS 
ground connection. This modification is available for affected in-
service aeroplanes through Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Service Bulletin 
(SB) No 34-038.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires relocation of the 
ESIS ground connection. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-
0610-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 42723, July 17, 
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 this 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 42723, July 17, 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 42723, July 17, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 230 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $40 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $106,950, or $465 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

[[Page 58875]]

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, the regulatory 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:

2013-19-10 PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD.: Amendment 39-17592; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0610; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-017-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 30, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes, serial numbers 545 and 1001 through 1450, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD results from 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 common grounding 
of both the pilot primary flight display (PFD) and the Electronic 
Standby Instrument System (ESIS). If the common ground fails both 
navigation systems could fail simultaneously. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent simultaneous failure of both navigation systems, which 
could result in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within 3 months after October 30, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD), modify the ESIS return wire ground 
connections following the accomplishment instructions in PILATUS 
AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 34-038, dated March 26, 
2013.

(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 MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0114, dated May 28, 2013, for related information, which can be 
found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0610-0002.

(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) PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 34-038, 
dated March 26, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Service Manager, 
CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 65 01; fax: 
+41 (0) 41 619 65 76; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/#32.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 September 16, 2013.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22980 Filed 9-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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