[Federal Register: August 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 156)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46389-46390]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au06-3]
[[Page 46389]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24954; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-30-AD;
Amendment 39-14713; AD 2006-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models 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 airworthiness authority
of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 18, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 18,
2006.
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; facsimile: (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.
The NPRM was published in theFederal Register on June 22, 2006 (71 FR
35843). The NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the Frame
21 (FR21) adjacent to the wing upper-attachment lugs, left and right,
and a repair 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 a U.S. court of
law. 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 our FAA policies. Any such differences
are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements, if
any, take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 394 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
will take about 5 work-hours per product to do the action and that 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 $157,600, or $400 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 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 that 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:
[[Page 46390]]
2006-16-13 PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD: Amendment 39-14713; Docket No. FAA-
2006-24954; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-30-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 18, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes;
manufacturer serial numbers 101 through 617 inclusive, certificated
in any U.S. category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states that the aircraft manufacturer has identified drill damage on
some Frame 21 (FR21) lug fittings on the production line and during
a number of midlife wing lug inspections. It is thought that the
damage found on the FR21 lug fittings occurred during assembly of
the airplane. Depending on the size and location of the possible
damage, if not corrected, the fatigue life of the wing attachment
lugs on FR21 may be affected. The MCAI requires a one-time
inspection of the FR21 adjacent to the wing upper-attachment lugs,
left and right, and a repair if necessary.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following except as stated in
paragraph (f) below.
(1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after
September 15, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), perform an
inspection of FR21 in the area of the outer sidewall frame
attachment lug forward and aft side faces, left and right, to
determine if there is any damage that may have been made with a
drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-
004, dated February 10, 2006.
(2) Within the next 100 hours TIS after September 18, 2006 (the
effective date of this AD), perform an inspection of FR21 in the
area of the top surface of the wing upper-attachment lugs, left and
right, to determine if there is any damage that may have been made
with a drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No.
53-004, dated February 10, 2006.
(3) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD any damage less than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on any FR21 is
found, prior to further flight, repair the damaged FR21 in
accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-
004, dated February 10, 2006.
(4) If during the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD any damage equal to or greater than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on
any FR21 is found, prior to further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft
Ltd. for an FAA-approved repair solution and incorporate the repair.
(5) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of
this AD any damage less than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth on any FR21
wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to further flight,
repair the damaged FR21 in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006.
(6) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of
this AD any damage equal to or greater than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth
on any FR21 wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to
further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for an FAA-approved
repair solution and incorporate the repair.
FAA AD Differences
(f) None.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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; facsimile: (816) 329-
4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Return to Airworthiness: When complying with this AD,
perform FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product
to an airworthy condition.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) This AD is related to Federal Office for Civil Aviation AD
HB-2006-223, effective date April 20, 2006, which references Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10,
2006.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No.
53-004, dated February 10, 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 the
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS,
Switzerland; telephone: 41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 619 7311;
email: SupportPC12@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 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 August 4, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13016 Filed 8-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P