Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 109 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26571-26573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11411]



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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 109 / Thursday, June 8, 2017 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 26571]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0194; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-006-AD; 
Amendment 39-18915; AD 2017-11-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

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 an error within the flight management system caused by 
installing Primus APEX software Build 10 or 10.9, which could cause 
deviation from the correctly calculated barometric vertical navigation 
nominal glide path. We are issuing this AD to require actions to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 13, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 13, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0194; 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 PC-12, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; 
phone: +41 41 619 33 33; fax: +41 41 619 73 11; email: 
aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: 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-2017-0194.

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. Model 
PC-12/47E airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
March 21, 2017 (82 FR 14488). 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:

    An occurrence was reported of a split between the vertical 
guidance data and the flight director steering commands during a 
Vertical Glide Path (VGP) approach. Subsequent investigation 
identified an error within the Flight Management System (FMS) that 
was introduced into Primus APEX software (S/W) Build 10 and S/W 
Build 10.9.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of control 
of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued 
Temporary Revision (TR) No. 38 to the PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating 
Handbook, (POH) Report No: 02277 (hereafter referred to as ``POH TR 
38'' in this AD), limiting VGP Approach mode sourced on baro 
Vertical Navigation (VNAV) to visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 
only, and providing procedures applicable in case of VGP deviation 
occurring during baro VNAV approaches.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0194-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Clarify the Unsafe Condition

    Johan Kruger of PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. stated that in the Discussion 
section and the Reason section (paragraph (e)) of the proposed AD, it 
is stated that the unsafe condition may result in loss of control due 
to following incorrect data from the flight management system. The 
commenter stated that the loss of control statement may be misleading.
    The commenter further stated that the autopilot fails to follow the 
correctly indicated nominal vertical flight path. If the pilot does not 
observe the indicated vertical deviation, which is the pilot's primary 
duty during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) final approach, 
it could result in the pilot losing situational awareness. In a worst 
case scenario, the airplane would descent towards terrain and 
ultimately, if no attention is given to terrain awareness and warning 
system (TAWS) call outs, collide with the terrain--potential controlled 
flight into terrain (CFIT).
    The commenter requested that the last sentence of paragraph (e) be 
changed to read: ``We are issuing this AD to prevent the pilot from 
following incorrect data from the flight management system, which could 
result in the loss of situational awareness.''
    We agree with the commenter and have changed the AD based on this 
comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously and minor editorial changes. We 
have determined that these minor changes:

[[Page 26572]]

    <bullet> [Agr]re 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.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Temporary Revision No. 38 to PC-
12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, Airplane Flight Manual 02277, 
Section 2--Limitations, Report No: 02277, dated February 8, 2017. The 
service information describes procedures for limiting the use of the 
autopilot and flight director to day visual meteorological conditions 
(VMC) during barometric vertical navigation (baro VNAV) during a 
vertical glide path approach (VGP). 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 this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 350 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.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $29,750, or $85 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0194; 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:

2017-11-16 PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD.: Amendment 39-18915; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0194; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-006-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 13, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Have Primus APEX Software Build 10 with Honeywell part 
number (P/N) EB60000487-0110 or Primus APEX Software Build 10.9 with 
Honeywell P/N EB60000487-0112 installed; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(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 an error within 
the flight management system caused by installing Primus APEX 
software Build 10 or 10.9, which could cause deviation from the 
correctly calculated barometric vertical navigation nominal guide 
path. We are issuing this AD to prevent the pilot from following 
incorrect data from the flight management system, which could result 
in the loss of situational awareness.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within 30 days after July 13, 2017 (the 
effective date of this AD), insert Temporary Revision No. 38 to PC-
12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, Airplane Flight Manual 02277, 
Section 2--Limitations, Report No: 02277, dated February 8, 2017.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: For airplanes affected by 
this AD, the Pilot's Operating Handbook and the Airplane Flight 
Manual are the same document with the Report No.: 02277.

(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

[[Page 26573]]

(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. 
2017-0024, dated February 13, 2017, for related information. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0194-0002.

(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) Temporary Revision No. 38 to PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating 
Handbook, Airplane Flight Manual 02277, Section 2--Limitations, 
Report No: 02277, dated February 8, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. service information identified in 
this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Support PC-12, CH-
6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 41 619 33 33; fax: +41 41 619 73 
11; email: aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: 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-2017-0194.
    (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 May 26, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11411 Filed 6-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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