[Federal Register: August 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 157)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47039-47041]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au08-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0626 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-035-AD;
Amendment 39-15637; AD 2008-16-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6
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 the
discovery of loose self-locking stop nuts Part Number (P/N)
938.07.65.105 in the tail landing gear fastener assemblies of some
PC-6 aircraft.
It is believed that this occurrence could also exist in other
fastener assemblies using nuts P/N 938.07.65.105 at various
identified locations in the aircraft.
If left uncorrected, the identified assemblies may become loose
and not function as designed and could lead to hazardous situations.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 17, 2008.
On September 17, 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 June 9, 2008 (73 FR
32497). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to the
discovery of loose self-locking stop nuts Part Number (P/N)
938.07.65.105 in the tail landing gear fastener assemblies of some
PC-6 aircraft.
It is believed that this occurrence could also exist in other
fastener assemblies using nuts P/N 938.07.65.105 at various
identified locations in the aircraft.
If left uncorrected, the identified assemblies may become loose
and not function as designed and could lead to hazardous situations.
In order to prevent those conditions, the present AD requires
you to replace self-locking stop nuts P/N 938.07.65.105 from the
Tail Landing Gear Assembly, the Parachute Cable Assembly, the Water
Tank Assembly, the Cable Tensioner Assembly, the Fuel Filter
Assembly, the Hydraulic Pump Assembly and the Engine Mounts Assembly
in accordance with Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 53-002 Revision
2.
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.
[[Page 47040]]
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 7 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 $310 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $43,500, or $870 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 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:
2008-16-19 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-15637; Docket No.
FAA-2008-0626; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-035-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 17, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to 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) MSN 101 through MSN 949 and MSN
2001 through MSN 2092, 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 53:
Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to the
discovery of loose self-locking stop nuts Part Number (P/N)
938.07.65.105 in the tail landing gear fastener assemblies of some
PC-6 aircraft.
It is believed that this occurrence could also exist in other
fastener assemblies using nuts P/N 938.07.65.105 at various
identified locations in the aircraft.
If left uncorrected, the identified assemblies may become loose
and not function as designed and could lead to hazardous situations.
In order to prevent those conditions, the present AD requires
you replace self-locking stop nuts P/N 938.07.65.105 from the Tail
Landing Gear Assembly, the Parachute Cable Assembly, the Water Tank
Assembly, the Cable Tensioner Assembly, the Fuel Filter Assembly,
the Hydraulic Pump Assembly and the Engine Mounts Assembly in
accordance with Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 53-002 Revision 2.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 12 months after September 17, 2008 (the
effective date of this AD), inspect and modify the fastener
assemblies as instructed in paragraph 3 of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 53-002, Revision No. 2, dated
September 24, 2007.
(2) As of September 17, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), no
person shall install on any PC-6 series aircraft, water tank
assemblies and hydraulic pump assemblies, unless they have been
previously modified following paragraph 4 of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. 53-002, Revision No. 2, dated
September 24, 2007.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: 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;
[[Page 47041]]
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.:
2008-0083, dated May 5, 2008; and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6
Service Bulletin No. 53-002, Revision No. 2, dated September 24,
2007, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-6 Service
Bulletin No. 53-002, Revision No. 2, dated September 24, 2007, 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 41 619 65 80; fax: +41 41 619 65 76; e-
mail: 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 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 1, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-18236 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P