Federal Register, Volume 75 Issue 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50869-50871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19821]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0583 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-028-AD;
Amendment 39-16401; AD 2010-17-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E
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:

Reports have been received indicating that, if the power control
friction wheel is tightened, the reverse thrust latch may stick and
subsequently allow the Power Control Lever (PCL) to be inadvertently
retarded aft of the idle detent.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in undesired
reverse thrust activation which, especially during approach, could
result in reduced control of the aeroplane.

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 22, 2010.
On September 22, 2010, 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

[[Page 50870]]

part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2010 (75 FR
32863). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

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

We estimate that this AD will affect 80 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $6,800 or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 9 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of
$865 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.

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 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:

2010-17-09 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-16401; Docket No.
FAA-2010-0583; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-028-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 22, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model PC-12/47E airplanes, manufacturer
serial numbers (MSN) 1001 and MSN 1003 through 1140, certificated in
any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 76: Engine
Controls.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Reports have been received indicating that, if the power control
friction wheel is tightened, the reverse thrust latch may stick and
subsequently allow the Power Control Lever (PCL) to be inadvertently
retarded aft of the idle detent.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in undesired
reverse thrust activation which, especially during approach, could
result in reduced control of the aeroplane.
For the reason described above, this AD requires an inspection
of the PCL reverse thrust latch and the accomplishment of corrective
actions as necessary.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within 30 days after September 22, 2010 (the effective date
of this AD), inspect the power control lever reverse thrust latch
handle for free movement following the accomplishment instructions
in paragraph 3.A. of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76-
002, dated October 15, 2009.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD you determine the reverse thrust latch sticks or the idle
detent is not present, do the following actions:

[[Page 50871]]

(i) Before further flight, insert Temporary Revision No. 12 to
PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, into
the normal procedures section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).
(ii) Within 12 months after September 22, 2010 (the effective
date of this AD), modify the engine control console assembly
following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.B. of
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76-002, dated October 15,
2009.
(iii) Before further flight after the modification required by
paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, remove Temporary Revision No. 12 to
PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, from
the AFM.
(3) If during the inspection specified in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD you determine the reverse thrust latch moves freely and the
idle detent is present, no further action is required.

FAA AD Differences

Note: 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.
2010-0093, dated May 20, 2010; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service
Bulletin No: 76-002, dated October 15, 2009; and Temporary Revision
No. 12 to PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15,
2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76-
002, dated October 15, 2009; and Temporary Revision No. 12 to PC-12/
47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, 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 Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 62 08; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73
11; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com; e-mail:
aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 5, 2010.
Brian A. Yanez,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-19821 Filed 8-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P