[Federal Register: February 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 33)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7947-7949]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe03-27]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 7947]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and
PC-12/45 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models
PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to
inspect the pedestal leg assembly on aft facing passenger seats for
correct configuration. If incorrectly configured, this proposed AD
would require you to modify to the correct configuration. This proposed
AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and
correct pedestal leg assemblies on aft facing passenger seats that are
in nonconformance with manufacturing standards. Nonconforming passenger
seats could result in passenger injury in an emergency situation.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
comments on this proposed rule on or before March 26, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-06-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments
electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-06-AD''
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for
Windows or ASCII text.
You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224;
or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department,
11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: (303) 465-
9099; facsimile: (303) 465-6040. You may also view this information at
the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and
submit your comments to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the
closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking
action.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the proposed rule.
You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date
of the proposed rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the
Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that
concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to
acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to
Docket No. 2003-CE-06-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard
back to you.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Federal Office for
Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the airworthiness authority for
Switzerland, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist
on certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA
reports that, during manufacture of certain aft facing aircraft
passenger seats (vendor part numbers (VPN) 403008-1 and 403008-2), the
forward pedestal legs were installed in reverse order. One instance was
found during the seat manufacturer's final quality control inspection.
Pilatus found another instance.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the aircraft
seat pedestal leg assembly. Such failure could result in passenger
injury in an emergency situation.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Pilatus
has issued Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 25-025, dated September
27, 2002.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin specifies inspecting the forward pedestal legs of certain
aircraft aft facing passenger seats for correct configuration.
This service bulletin also references Decrane Aircraft, ERDA, Inc.,
Service Bulletin SB02010, Revision A, June 3, 2002, which includes
procedures for accomplishing the inspection and procedures for
modifying incorrectly configured seat assemblies to the correct
configuration.
What action did the FOCA take? The FOCA classified these service
bulletins as mandatory and issued Swiss AD Number HB 2002-658, dated
November 30, 2002, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in Switzerland.
Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement?
These airplane models are manufactured in Switzerland and are
[[Page 7948]]
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA has
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This
Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the
FOCA; reviewed all available information, including the service
information referenced above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on other Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 of the same type design
that are on the U.S. registry;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to inspect the pedestal leg assembly on aft facing passenger seats
for correct configuration. If incorrectly configured, this proposed AD
would require you to modify to the correct configuration.
What are the differences between this proposed AD, the service
information, and the FOCA AD? The FOCA AD and the service information
require an inspection of the identification tag on certain passenger
seats to determine if the Pilatus part number correctly corresponds to
the ERDA vendor part number. The identification tag may incorrectly
identify the Pilatus part number; although the ERDA vendor part number
is correct. If the corresponding part numbers are incorrect, the FOCA
AD and the service information require affixing a new identification
tag with the correct corresponding Pilatus part number. The procedures
for accomplishing this inspection and modification are contained in
Decrane Aircraft, ERDA, Inc., Service Bulletin SB02011, Revision A,
June 3, 2002.
Because the ERDA part number is correct, we are not including this
as part of the unsafe condition. However, we will include a note in
this proposed AD recommending that you verify that the corresponding
Pilatus part number is correct.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 280 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to
accomplish the proposed inspection:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour x $60 = $60.............. No parts required to $60 $60 x 280 = $16,800
perform inspection.
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed
modification:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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2 workhours x $60 = $120............ $150.................. $270 $270 x 280 = $75,600
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Compliance Time of This Proposed AD
What would be the compliance time of this proposed AD? The
compliance time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 90 days after
the effective date of this AD.''
Why is the proposed compliance time presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS)? The compliance of this proposed
AD is presented in calendar time instead of hours TIS because the
unsafe condition is a result of an improper installation. The unsafe
condition has the same chance of occurring on an airplane with 50 hours
TIS as it would for an airplane with 1,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we
believe that a compliance time of 90 days will:
--Ensure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected for a long
period of time on the affected airplanes; and
--Not inadvertently ground any of the affected airplanes.
Regulatory Impact
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations
proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it is determined that this
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive
Order 13132.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. 2003-CE-06-AD
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers
(MSN) 101 through 436 that:
[[Page 7949]]
(1) Incorporate a passenger seat, ERDA Vendor Part Number (VPN)
403008-1 or 403008-2 (also identified as Pilatus Part Number (P/N)
959.30.01.601, 959.30.01.602, 959.30.01.613, or 959.30.01.614) (or
FAA-approved equivalent part number), with a serial number as
specified in Decrane Aircraft, ERDA, Inc., Service Bulletin SB02010,
Revision A, June 3, 2002; and
(2) Are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to detect and correct pedestal leg assemblies
on aft facing passenger seats that are in nonconformance with
manufacturing standards. Nonconforming passenger seats could result
in passenger injury in an emergency situation.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following, unless
already accomplished:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the forward Within the next 90 In accordance with
pedestal legs on the days after the Decrane Aircraft,
aircraft aft facing effective date of ERDA, Inc., Service
passenger seat for correct this AD. Bulletin SB02010,
configuration. Revision A, June 3,
2002; as specified
in Pilatus PC12
Service Bulletin
No. 25-025, dated
September 27, 2002.
-----------------------------
(2) If the legs are Prior to further In accordance with
incorrectly configured, flight after the Decrane Aircraft,
modify to the correct inspection required ERDA, Inc., Service
configuration. in paragraph (d)(1) Bulletin SB02010,
of this AD. Revision A, June 3,
2002; as specified
in Pilatus PC12
Service Bulletin
No. 25-025, dated
September 27, 2002.
-----------------------------
(3) Do not install any As of the the In accordance with
affected seat specified in effective date of Decrane Aircraft,
paragraph (a) of this AD this AD. ERDA, Inc., Service
unless it has been Bulletin SB02010,
inspected as specified in Revision A, June 3,
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD 2002; as specified
and configured in in Pilatus PC12
accordance with Decrane Service Bulletin
Aircraft, ERDA, Inc., No. 25-025, dated
Service Bulletin SB02010, September 27, 2002
Revision A, June 3, 2002;
as specified in Pilatus
PC12 Service Bulletin No.
25-025, dated September 27,
2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: Although not required by this AD, we recommend that you
verify that the Pilatus part number correctly corresponds with the
ERDA vendor part number on certain passenger seats. The procedures
for accomplishing this action are contained in Decrane Aircraft,
ERDA, Inc., Service Bulletin SB02011, Revision A, June 3, 2002.
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standards Office.
Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific
actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD?
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619
6224; or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support
Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021;
telephone: (303) 465-9099; facsimile: (303) 465-6040. You may view
these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD Number
HB 2002-658, dated November 30, 2002.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 10, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3871 Filed 2-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P