Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42604-42606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14007]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0667; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00735-A; 
Amendment 39-22475; AD 2023-12-17]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-03 
which applied to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, 
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2022-19-03 required incorporating 
new revisions to the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the 
existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year life limit for 
certain main landing gear (MLG) actuator bottom attachment bolts and 
new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-
19-03, the FAA determined that new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the ALS of the 
existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference 
(IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 7, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 7, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0667; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and

[[Page 42605]]

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material that is incorporated by reference in 
this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 
Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: 
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at 
ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0667.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87 FR 
57809, September 22, 2022) (AD 2022-19-03). AD 2022-19-03 applied to 
all Pilatus Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. 
AD 2022-19-03 required incorporating new revisions to the ALS of the 
existing airplane AMM or ICA to establish a 5-year life limit for 
certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new life limits for 
the rudder bellcrank. The FAA issued AD 2022-19-03 to prevent MLG 
collapse during all phases of airplane operations, including take-off 
and landing, and also to prevent rudder bellcrank failure, which could 
lead to loss of airplane control.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2023 (88 FR 
21543). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0103, dated June 9, 2022 
(EASA AD 2022-0103) (referred to after this as the MCAI), issued by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. The MCAI states new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations have been developed. These new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations include repetitive inspections for cracks in 
the lower main spar connection of the horizontal stabilizer.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0667.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as specified in EASA AD 2022-
0103. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of certain parts, 
which could result in loss of airplane control. Additionally, the 
actions required to address the unsafe condition in AD 2022-19-03 are 
included in ``the applicable ALS,'' as defined in EASA AD 2022-0103.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA). ALPA supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0103 requires certain actions and associated 
thresholds and intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks. 
EASA AD 2022-0103 also requires doing corrective actions if any 
discrepancy (as defined in the applicable ALS) is found during 
accomplishment of any task required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-
0103 and revising the approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by 
incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and 
intervals described in ``the applicable ALS'' as defined in EASA AD 
2022-0103.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2022-0103

    Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0103 requires corrective actions in 
accordance with the applicable Pilatus maintenance documentation or 
contacting Pilatus for approved instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions accordingly. Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0103 requires 
revising the approved AMP. Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0103 provides 
credit for performing actions in accordance with previous revisions of 
the Pilatus AMM. Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0103 explains that after 
revision of the approved AMP, it is not necessary to record 
accomplishment of individual actions for demonstration of AD 
compliance. This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (2) 
through (5) of EASA AD 2022-0103.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,030 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that revising the ALS of the existing 
AMM or ICA for your airplane requires about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost on U.S. operators of $87,550 or $85 per airplane.

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

    The FAA has 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

[[Page 42606]]

the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87 
FR 57809, September 22, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-12-17 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-22475; Docket No. 
FAA-2023-0667; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00735-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 7, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87 FR 57809, 
September 22, 2022) (AD 2022-19-03).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-12/45, 
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5511, Horizontal 
Stabilizer, Spar/Rib.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 states that failure to revise the airworthiness 
limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance 
manual (AMM) by introducing new and more restrictive instructions 
and maintenance tasks as specified in the component limitations 
section, which includes repetitive inspections for cracks in the 
lower main spar connection of the horizontal stabilizer, could 
result in an unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
failure of certain parts, which could result in loss of airplane 
control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the ALS of the existing AMM or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness for your airplane by incorporating the requirements 
specified in paragraph (1) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
AD 2022-0103, dated June 9, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0103).
    (2) The actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) 
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 
CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Requirements (Airworthiness Limitations)

    After the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been 
done, no alternative requirements (airworthiness limitations) are 
allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of 
the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0103.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail 
it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD or email: 
[email protected]. If mailing information, also submit 
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
    (2) Global AMOC AIR-730-22-357, dated September 28, 2022, and 
Global AMOC AIR-730-23-054 R1, dated February 10, 2023, were 
approved as AMOCs for the requirements for AD 2022-19-03, and are 
approved as AMOCs for the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. 
Other AMOCs previously issued for the requirements of AD 2022-19-03 
are not approved as an AMOC for the requirements of this AD.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0103, dated 
June 9, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0103, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 14, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14007 Filed 6-30-23; 8:45 am]
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