Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69138-69140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24048]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0746; Project Identifier 2019-CE-012-AD; Amendment 
39-21301; AD 2020-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD was 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 seizing of a main landing gear (MLG) spring pack assembly. 
This AD requires replacement of affected parts and prohibits 
(re)installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 7, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 7, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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; email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; 
internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0746.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0746; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the MCAI, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR

[[Page 69139]]

part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes with an MLG spring pack 
assembly part number (P/N) 532.34.12.101 installed. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on August 6, 2020 (85 FR 47712). The NPRM 
proposed to require removing MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 
from service and replacing it with MLG spring pack assembly P/N 
532.34.12.120 and was based on MCAI originated by the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Community. EASA issued AD No. 2019-0032, 
dated February 15, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported of an unlocked main landing gear 
(MLG) during landing of a PC-12/47E, equipped with electro-
mechanical landing gear. Subsequent investigation identified that 
the aeroplane was equipped with an affected part [spring pack 
assemblies having P/N 532.34.12.101], which had completely seized. 
Serviceable parts [spring pack assemblies having P/N 532.34.12.120] 
have a special surface treatment on the inner and outer tube, which 
would have prevented the seizure.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of an 
MLG spring pack assembly, possibly resulting in inability to safely 
extend the MLG and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane after 
landing.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB to provide inspection and modification 
instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of affected parts with serviceable parts, and prohibits 
(re)installation of affected parts.

    Forty-two airplanes were built that may have this version of the 
spring pack assembly installed. An improved spring pack assembly with a 
hard chrome plated inner tube was introduced in 2014. You may examine 
the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0746.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 
32-027, dated January 7, 2019. The service information contains 
procedures for inspecting the MLG spring pack assembly to determine the 
part number, removing and discarding any affected spring pack 
assemblies, and installing the improved design spring pack assemblies. 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 29 products of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 3 work-hours 
per product to comply with the replacement requirements of this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $5,000 per product.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $152,395, or $5,255 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this 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.
    The FAA is 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

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2020-22-05 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21301; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0746; Project Identifier 2019-CE-012-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 7, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes, serial numbers 1300 and 1451 through 1944 (except serial 
number 1720), certificated in any category, with a main landing gear 
(MLG) spring pack assembly part number (P/N) 532.34.12.101 
installed.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(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

[[Page 69140]]

describes the unsafe condition as seizing of an MLG spring pack 
assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the MLG 
spring pack assembly, which could result in the inability to extend 
the MLG with consequent loss of control of the airplane after 
landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
from service MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 and install 
MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.120 by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions-Part A-Aircraft, section 3.B., in 
Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 32-027, dated January 7, 2019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an MLG 
spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 on any airplane.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Doug Rudolph, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector (PI), or lacking a PI, your 
local Flight Standards District Office.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to European Union Aviation Safety (EASA) Agency AD No. 
2019-0032, dated February 15, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0746.

(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. 32-027, dated January 7, 
2019.
    (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; email: 
aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 14, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24048 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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