Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58342-58344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24464]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2775; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-021-AD; 
Amendment 39-18277; AD 2015-19-15]
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. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, and 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 a malfunction of the universal joint. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 3, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2775; 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 Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; 
phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; email: 
aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2015-2775.

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 adding an AD that would apply to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model 
PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47E airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on July 14, 2015 (80 FR 40949). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    A case of malfunctioning was reported of a universal joint 
installed between the control tube assembly and the control column 
on a PC-12/47E aeroplane.
    Investigation determined that the malfunction was caused by an 
incorrectly manufactured universal joint. Universal joints from the 
same manufacturing batch were provided to operators between 01 March 
2014 and 28 February 2015, and are thus potentially affected.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to other cases of 
malfunctioning of a universal joint, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 27-022 to provide instructions 
for replacement of the universal joints in the flight controls.

    For the reason described above, this AD requires removal from 
service of the potentially incorrectly manufactured universal joints. 
The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-2775-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 40949, July 14, 
2015) 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 (80 FR 40949, July 14, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already

[[Page 58343]]

proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 40949, July 14, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin 
No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for replacement of the universal joint on the aileron 
control system. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 55 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 3 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 $1,000 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $69,025 or $1,255 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2775; 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:

2015-19-15 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-18277; Docket No. 
FAA-2015-2775; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-021-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 3, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, 
and PC-12/47E airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 244, 307, 409, 
646, 1447 through 1450, 1461, 1462, 1466 through 1514, 1516 through 
1520, and 1523, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(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 a malfunction of 
the universal joint. We are issuing this AD to replace defective 
aileron control system universal joints.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, to include all subparagraphs.
    (1) For airplanes equipped with aileron control system universal 
joints part number (P/N) 944.61.73.012 or P/N 527.10.12.195, 
purchased between March 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015; or universal 
joints installed in service through an aileron control system 
inspection kit P/N 500.50.12.314, purchased between March 1, 2014, 
and February 28, 2015, do one of the following actions as 
applicable:
    (i) For airplanes with less than 200 flight cycles since first 
flight of the airplane or less than 200 flight cycles since 
installation of an affected universal joint or inspection kit, 
whichever applies: Within 10 flight cycles after November 3, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD) or 3 months after November 3, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, replace 
with a new universal joint P/N 527.10.12.195 purchased after March 
1, 2015, and marked with a placard ``RT iO'' following the 
Accomplishment Instructions in PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 
27-022, dated March 17, 2015.
    (ii) For airplanes with 200 flight cycles or more since first 
flight of the airplane or 200 flight cycles or more since 
installation of an affected universal joint or inspection kit, 
whichever applies: Within 12 months after November 3, 2015 (the 
effective date of this AD), replace with a new universal joint P/N 
527.10.12.195 purchased after March 1, 2015, and marked with a 
placard ``RT iO'' following the Accomplishment Instructions in 
PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 27-022, dated March 17, 2015.
    (iii) For all airplanes where total flight cycles are not 
tracked: The conversion formula is one flight cycle equals one 
flight hour.
    (2) For all airplanes: After November 3, 2015 (the effective 
date of this AD), do not install the following parts on any airplane 
after the modification of the airplane as required in paragraphs 
(f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD or any airplane that does not 
have an affected part installed:
    (i) A universal joint P/N 944.61.73.012 or P/N 527.10.12.195 
(except for a P/N

[[Page 58344]]

527.10.12.195 marked with a placard ``RT iO'').
    (ii) Inspection kit P/N 500.50.12.314 purchased between March 1, 
2014, and February 28, 2015.

(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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0111, dated June 16, 2015, for related information. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-2775-0002.

(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 PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 27-022, dated March 17, 
2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. service information identified in 
this AD, contact: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD, Customer Support Manager, 
CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 
(0)41 619 73 11; email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: 
http://www.pilatus-aircraft.
    (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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-2775.
    (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 18, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24464 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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