Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37494-37496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13372]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5284; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-006-AD; 
Amendment 39-18550; AD 2016-12-01]
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, PC-12/47, 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 incorrect installation 
instructions of the torlon plates in the airplane maintenance manual 
resulting in the incorrect installation of the torlon plates in the 
forward wing-to-fuselage attachment. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 15, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5284; 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-2016-5284.

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 by adding an AD that would apply to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. 
Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2016 (81 FR 17107). 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:

    Incorrect installations of torlon plates in the forward lower 
wing-to-fuselage attachment were reported on aeroplanes in service. 
Investigation determined that wrong torlon plate installation 
instructions were published in June 2007 in Revision (Rev.) 18 to 27 
of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 02049, Data Module (DM) 12-
A-57-00-00A-520A-A and DM 12-A-57-00-00A-720A-A, for the PC-12, PC-
12/45 and PC-12/47 aeroplanes, and in the initial issue to Rev. 10 
of AMM 02300, in DM 12-B-57-00-00A-520A-A and DM 12-B-57-00-00A-
720A-A, for PC-12/47E aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional loads 
at the wing-to-fuselage interface, which detrimentally affects the 
fatigue life of the structural joint.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-007 to provide inspection instructions 
to verify the correct installation of torlon plates in the wing-to-
fuselage attachments, and the rectification instructions for 
incorrect installed torlon plates.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachments, both 
left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://

[[Page 37495]]

www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-5284-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 17107, March 28, 
2016) 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 (81 FR 17107, March 28, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 17107, March 28, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-
007, dated September 29, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for inspection, and if necessary realignment or replacement 
of the torlon plates in the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachments. 
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 268 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per wing per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $45,560, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours per wing and require parts costing $1,000 per 
wing, for a total cost of $2,510 per product. We have no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions.
    According to the manufacturer, some 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-2016-
5284; 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:

2016-12-01 Pilatus Aircraft LTD.: Amendment 39-18550; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5284; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-006-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 15, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/
47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all serial numbers delivered before 
January 1, 2015, certificated in any category.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: The date of delivery may be 
found as the issue date of the EASA Form 52, which is part of the 
airplane records.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

(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 incorrect 
installation instructions of the torlon plates in the airplane 
maintenance manual resulting in the incorrect installation of the 
torlon plates in the forward wing-to-fuselage attachment. We are 
issuing this AD to identify and correct incorrectly installed torlon 
plates which could cause additional loads affecting the fatigue life 
at the wing-to-fuselage interface.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this AD. If 
paragraphs (f)(1), (2), and (3) of this AD have already been done 
before July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), then only 
paragraph (f)(4) of this AD applies.

[[Page 37496]]

    (1) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD): Within the next 12 months after July 15, 2016 (the 
effective date of this AD), inspect the torlon plates in the forward 
lower wing-to-fuselage attachments (both left hand (LH) and right 
hand (RH) sides) for correct installation following the 
accomplishment instructions in PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service 
Bulletin No: 57-007, dated September 29, 2015.
    (2) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced, between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD): If an incorrect installation of the torlon plates is 
found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, 
remove the affected torlon plates, visually inspect the torlon 
plates and the affected lugs using a mirror and light source (if 
necessary) for any damage, and reinstall the torlon plates in the 
correct sequence, following the accomplishment instructions in 
paragraph 3.C. of PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 
57-007, dated September 29, 2015.
    (3) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled 
or replaced, between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD): If any damage is found during the inspection of the 
torlon plates and lugs required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. for FAA-
approved repair instructions and accomplish those instructions 
accordingly. You may find contact information for PILATUS AIRCRAFT 
LTD. in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (4) For all airplanes: As of July 15, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD), do not install or re-install a wing on any airplane, 
unless concurrent with the wing installation, the torlon plates of 
the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachment (both LH and RH sides) 
of the airplane are inspected and found to be installed correctly in 
accordance with the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.B. of 
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated 
September 29, 2015.

    Note 2 to paragraph (f)(4) of this AD: Installation of a wing on 
an airplane in accordance with the instructions of PILATUS aircraft 
maintenance manual (AMM) 02049, Revision 28 or later, or AMM 02300, 
Revision 11 or later, is an acceptable alternative method to comply 
with this inspection requirement.

(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.: 
2016-0037, dated February 26, 2016, for related information. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-5284-0002.

(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: 57-007, 
dated September 29, 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.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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-5284.
    (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 1, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13372 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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