Federal Register, Volume 75 Issue 49 (Monday, March 15, 2010)

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12150-12151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5508]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0250; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
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) originated 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 corrosion at the bonding strap connections on the left
and right lower longerons between fuselage frames 1 and 1A. The
possibility of corrosion is increased because of the high electrical
current flow between the tinned copper terminal lug of the bonding
strap and the aluminum longeron.
Such a condition, if left uncorrected, could lead to failure of
the longeron and will prejudice the structural integrity of the
aircraft.

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 April 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

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:

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-2010-0250;
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-011-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://www.regulations.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 of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the aviation
authority for Switzerland, has issued FOCA AD HB-2010-001, dated
February 12, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct
an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

For left and right lower longerons where corrosion is found during the
inspection, the MCAI also requires repair of any longeron where
corrosion is found. You may obtain further information by examining the
MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. has issued PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No.
53-007, dated January 5, 2010. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 10 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4.5 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $3,825, or $383 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take

[[Page 12151]]

about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $500, for a cost of $755
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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

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.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0250; Directorate
Identifier 2010-CE-011-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by April 29, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

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 corrosion at the bonding strap connections on the left
and right lower longerons between fuselage frames 1 and 1A. The
possibility of corrosion is increased because of the high electrical
current flow between the tinned copper terminal lug of the bonding
strap and the aluminum longeron.
Such a condition, if left uncorrected, could lead to failure of
the longeron and will prejudice the structural integrity of the
aircraft.
In order to correct and control the situation, this AD requires
a one time inspection of the longeron structure and the terminal
lugs of the bonding straps for signs of corrosion.
For left and right lower longerons where corrosion is found
during the inspection, the MCAI also requires repair of any longeron
where corrosion is found.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 120 days after the effective date of this
AD, perform a visual inspection of the forward bonding points and
the terminal lugs on the left and right lower longerons between
fuselage frames 1 and 1A for signs of corrosion. Do the inspection
following paragraphs 3.C.(1), (2), and (3) of PILATUS PC-7 Service
Bulletin No. 53-007, dated January 5, 2010.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, any signs of corrosion are found, prior to further flight,
perform corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions in paragraph 3.D of PILATUS PC-7 SB No. 53-007, dated
January 5, 2010. If the corrosion damage is out of limits, record
the values and apply to PILATUS for a repair scheme at: PILATUS
AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland;
telephone: +41 (0) 41 619 62 08; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73 11.

Note 1: The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is
the airworthiness authority for Switzerland, will work with PILATUS
in reviewing the results of the initial inspection required by this
AD. From this, a repetitive inspection requirement or other action
may be established. The FAA will evaluate any such action and
determine whether further rulemaking is necessary.

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; 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 FOCA AD HB-2010-001, dated February 12, 2010;
and PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No. 53-007, dated January 5, 2010,
for related information.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 4, 2010.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5508 Filed 3-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P