Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 21 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4633-4634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1398]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26371 Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-70-AD; 
Amendment 39-14917; AD 2007-03-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Limited PC-12 and PC-
12/45 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 the 
products listed above. 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 executive 
seats equipped with pedestal legs that were produced using a material 
that deviates from the approved design data. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 8, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 8, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2006 
(71 FR 71497). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states that executive seats equipped 
with pedestal legs were produced using a material that deviates from 
the approved design data. As a consequence the pedestal legs may not 
perform as intended under emergency landing conditions. In order to 
correct and control the situation, this AD requires a one time 
inspection to identify the Vendor Part Number (VPN) of the pedestal 
legs and the Serial Number (S/N) of the executive seat and the 
replacement of the pedestal legs if necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD would affect about 394 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 0.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the inspection requirement of this AD. In 
addition, we estimate this AD would affect about 59 seats and take 
about 1 work-hour per seat to comply with the parts replacement 
requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to 
be $15,760, or $40 per product for inspection and $4,720, or $80 per 
seat for parts replacement.

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.

[[Page 4634]]

    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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; 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) 647-5227) 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

0
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:

2007-03-06 Pilatus Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-14917; Docket No. 
FAA-2006-26371; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-70-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 8, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, serial 
numbers 101 through 683, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with executive passenger seats Model Number 4006 
manufactured by DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company, Inc. Vendor Part 
Number (VPN) 403150-1 or 403150-2 with Serial Numbers (S/N) 
identified in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 
Revision B, dated June 26, 2006.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that executive seats equipped with pedestal legs were 
produced using a material that deviates from the approved design 
data. As a consequence the pedestal legs may not perform as intended 
under emergency landing conditions. In order to correct and control 
the situation, this AD requires a one time inspection to identify 
the VPN of the pedestal legs and the S/N of the executive seat and 
the replacement of the pedestal legs if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Perform an inspection to identify the VPN of the pedestal 
legs and the S/N of the executive seat following the accomplishment 
instructions in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No.: 25-032, dated 
October 2, 2006.
    (ii) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1)(i) of 
this AD any pedestal legs with a VPN and executive seats with a S/N 
which correspond with the data in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 2006, are found, prior 
to further flight, replace the affected pedestal legs following the 
accomplishment instructions in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No.: 
25-032, dated October 2, 2006, with new pedestal legs with VPN 
431005-17 and 431005-18. The removed parts must be returned to 
Pilatus.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any executive seats model number 4006 produced by DeCrane Aircraft 
Seating Company, Inc., VPN 403150-1 or 403150-2 with S/Ns identified 
in DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, 
dated June 26, 2006, on any Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 
airplane, unless the mandatory actions of this AD have been 
implemented.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, 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, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2006-
444, dated November 7, 2006; Pilatus Aircraft Limited Service 
Bulletin No.: 25-032, dated October 2, 2006; and DeCrane Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 2006, 
for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No.: 25-032, 
dated October 2, 2006; and DeCrane Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB05147 Revision B, dated June 26, 2006, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: + 41 41 619 6208; fax: + 41 41 619 7311; e-
mail: aircaft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircaft.com; or Pilatus Business Aircraft 
Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 
80021; telephone: (303) 465-9099, fax: (303) 465-6040; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or 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 January 24, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-1398 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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