Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This AD requires replacing the stick pusher capstan and the stick pusher servo with parts of improved design. The AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent improper operation of the stick pusher system caused by the existing design configuration, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during a stall.

DATES:

Effective March 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-64-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC12/45 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 23, 1999 (64 FR 65666). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the stick pusher capstan and the stick pusher servo with parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 69 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Pilatus will provide parts free of charge until March 2000. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $33,120, or $480 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

2000-02-31 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-11549; Docket No. 99-CE-64-AD.

Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 180, certificated in any category.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent improper operation of the stick pusher system caused by the existing design configuration, which could result in the loss of control of the airplane during a stall, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, replace the stick pusher capstan and stick pusher servo with parts of improved design, in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999. The new part numbers (P/N) are as follows:

(1) Stick Pusher Capstan: P/N 978.61.11.124 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number); and

(2) Stick Pusher Servo: P/N 978.61.11.103 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number).

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any of the affected airplanes, a stick pusher capstan or stick pusher servo that is not of the part number specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, respectively.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999, should be directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Note 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 99-406, dated August 16, 1999.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 27, 2000.