Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12241-12242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5853]



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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 48 / Friday, March 12, 1999 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 12241]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-73-AD; Amendment
39-11069; AD 99-06-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and
PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-
12/45 airplanes. This AD requires removing the ``Alternate Flap 
System'' from the airplane flight controls and inserting a temporary 
revision that specifies this change in SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the 
PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook. This AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to preclude improper use of the ``Alternate Flap System'', 
which could result in flap asymmetry with consequent reduced or loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 16, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 62 33; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. 
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-73-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile: 
(816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus 
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 30, 1998 
(63 FR 71797). The NPRM proposed to require removing the ``Alternate 
Flap System'' from the airplane flight controls and inserting Pilatus 
Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, dated September 11, 1998, in 
SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 
15, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Switzerland.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 90 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Pilatus will provide parts to the owners/
operators of the affected airplanes at no charge. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be$54,000, or $600 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with ExecutiveOrder 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 12242]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

99-06-05  Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-11069; Docket No. 98-
CE-73-AD.

    Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer 
serial numbers (MSN) 101 through MSN 227 and MSN 232; certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent improper use of the ``Alternate Flap System'', which 
could result in flap asymmetry with consequent reduced or loss of 
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the ``Alternate Flap System'' from the airplane 
flight controls, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 
1998.
    (b) Insert Pilatus Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, 
dated September 11, 1998, into SECTION 2--LIMITATIONS of the PC-12 
Pilot's Operating Handbook.
    (c) Inserting the information specified in paragraph (b) of this 
AD into the PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook may be performed by the 
owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with paragraph (b) of this AD in accordance with section 
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, 
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
    (f) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus 
Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998; and Pilatus 
Report No. 01973-001, Temporary Revision, dated September 11, 1998, 
should be directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison 
Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 62 33; 
facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This service information may be 
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (g) The removal required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 27-004, dated September 15, 1998. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer 
Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland. Copies may be inspected 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 98-
352, dated September 28, 1998.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 2, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5853 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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