[Federal Register: November 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 213)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64653-64655]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no06-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25929; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-54-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., PC-6 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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 the discovery of exfoliation corrosion in the fittings of
some PC-6 airplanes. These fittings are installed exterior to the
bottom skin of the wing skin. If not corrected, undetected corrosion in
this area could lead to failure of the fitting and subsequent loss of
control of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are
intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 4,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
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 this
[[Page 64654]]
proposed AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust Street, 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.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
25929; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-54-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the
airworthiness authority for Switzerland, has issued FOCA AD HB-2006-
400, effective date September 28, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states the FOCA AD was prompted due to the discovery of
exfoliation corrosion in the fittings of some PC-6 airplanes. These
fittings are installed exterior to the bottom skin of the wing skin. If
not corrected, undetected corrosion in this area could lead to failure
of the fitting and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. In order
to correct and control the situation, the MCAI requires a one time
inspection of the wing strut fitting and the replacement of corroded
wing strut fittings with new retrofit wing strut fittings. You may
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., has issued Service Bulletin No. 57-003,
dated June 13, 2006. The actions described in this service information
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between This Proposed 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 proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the
actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 49 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 27 work-hours per product to comply with the
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $2,500 per wing, or $5,000 per product. 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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $350,840, or $7,160 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
[[Page 64655]]
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: FAA-2006-25929; Directorate Identifier 2006-
CE-54-AD
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 4, 2006.
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; manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 101 through 949, MSN
951, and MSN 2001 through 2092; that are certificated in any
category. These airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic
Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Industries PC-6 airplanes,
Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller
Corporation PC-6 airplanes.
Reason
(d) The Switzerland Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA)
Airworthiness Directive (AD) was prompted due to the discovery of
exfoliation corrosion in the fittings of some PC-6 airplanes. These
fittings are installed exterior to the bottom skin of the wing skin.
If not corrected, undetected corrosion in this area could lead to
failure of the fitting and subsequent loss of control of the
airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and
repetitively thereafter not to exceed 12 months, perform an
inspection required by paragraph 3.B.(2) of PILATUS PC-6 Service
Bulletin (SB) No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, of the fittings Part
Number (P/N) 6102.0041.00, P/N 111.35.06.055 or P/N 111.35.06.056
for signs of corrosion. Minor surface corrosion is permitted
according to the Repair and Overhaul Manual (ROM) (Report No. 1391),
Chap. 2 and 4. Corrosion outside these limits is not permitted.
(2) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD, any minor surface corrosion is found, prior to
further flight, remove the minor surface corrosion (Ref. ROM. Chap.
2 and 4).
(3) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD, any corrosion out of limits is found (Ref. ROM,
Chap. 2 and 4), prior to further flight, replace the fittings in
accordance with paragraph 4. of PILATUS PC-6 SB No. 57-003, dated
June 13, 2006, with new (retrofit) fittings P/N 111.35.06.185 and/or
P/N 111.35.06.186.
(4) Replacement of the fittings with new (improved) fittings P/N
111.35.06.185 (left hand side) and/or 111.35.06.186 (right hand
side) terminates the repetitive inspection for that side.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) The FAA AD is requiring repetitive inspections, not just a
one time inspection as required in the MCAI.
(2) The Service Bulletin specifies ``subsequent inspection for
corrosion will be included in chapter 5 of the Aircraft Maintenance
Manual (AMM).'' The only way we (FAA) can mandate these repetitive
inspections is through an AD.
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; 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) 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) This AD is related to FOCA AD HB-2006-400, effective date
September 28, 2006, which references Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. SB No.
57-003, dated June 13, 2006.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 2006.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18574 Filed 11-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P