Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35911-35913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14106]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0493 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-028-AD; 
Amendment 39-15581; AD 2008-13-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Series 
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:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to a potential 
problem with the tail landing gear locking mechanism of PC-6 series 
aircraft.
    Investigation, carried out after an incident report, determined 
that both screws of the tail-wheel locking mechanism had ruptured, 
rendering the mechanism inoperative.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 30, 2008.
    On July 30, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 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 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:

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 May 1, 2008 (73 FR 
23993). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to a potential 
problem with the tail landing gear locking mechanism of PC-6 series 
aircraft.
    Investigation, carried out after an incident report, determined 
that both screws of the tail-wheel locking mechanism had ruptured, 
rendering the mechanism inoperative.
    In order to address this situation, the present AD requires you 
replace the two bolts of the tail-wheel locking mechanism with new 
ones, having higher shear strength, and install a warning placard on 
the tail-wheel mudguard.
    The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent, on 
take-off or landing runs, possible hazards associated with loss of 
directional control.

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

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect 50 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take 
about 3 work-hours per product to comply with basic requirements of 
this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts 
will cost about $120 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $18,000 or $360 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

[[Page 35912]]

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 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://www.regulations.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) 647-5527) 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

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:

2008-13-18 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-15581; Docket No. 
FAA-2008-0493; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-028-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 30, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, 
PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, 
PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: These airplanes may also be identified as Fairchild 
Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 
airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

Subject

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

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to a 
potential problem with the tail landing gear locking mechanism of 
PC-6 series aircraft.
    Investigation, carried out after an incident report, determined 
that both screws of the tail-wheel locking mechanism had ruptured, 
rendering the mechanism inoperative.
    In order to address this situation, the present AD requires you 
replace the two bolts of the tail-wheel locking mechanism with new 
ones, having higher shear strength, and install a warning placard on 
the tail-wheel mudguard.
    The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent, on 
take-off or landing runs, possible hazards associated with loss of 
directional control.''

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after July 30, 
2008 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months 
after July 30, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first:
    (i) Replace the screws and nuts that attach the locking plate to 
the locking lever of the tail-wheel locking mechanism with steels 
screws and nuts following Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6 Service 
Bulletin, 32-001, dated August 8, 2006.
    (ii) Install the placard on the tail-wheel mudguard following 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin, 32-001, dated 
August 8, 2006.
    (2) As of July 30, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) do not 
install on any of the affected airplanes locking lever assemblies 
part number (P/N) 6403.0094.00 or P/N 114.45.06.077 or tail landing 
gear assemblies P/N 6403.0067.xx or P/N 114.45.06.050 unless they 
have been modified following the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin, 32-001, dated 
August 8, 2006.

    Note 2: The letter ``x'' in P/N 6403.0067.xx stands for a 
numeral varying from 0 to 9.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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. 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 
(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

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), AD No. 
2008-0070, dated April 15, 2008; and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus 
PC-6 Service Bulletin 32-001, dated August 8, 2006, for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6 Service 
Bulletin, 32-001, dated August 8, 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 Liaison Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 65 80; fax: +41 (0)41 619 65 
76; email: aircraft.com">fodermatt@pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (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

[[Page 35913]]

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 June 13, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-14106 Filed 6-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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