Proposed Rule2022-05223
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
March 14, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-26-08, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC- 12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 requires incorporating revisions into the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance program and inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add a new life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and then superseded it again to add new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. This proposed AD would require incorporating new revisions to the ALS of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14187-14190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05223]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01051-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2016-26-08, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-
12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 requires
incorporating revisions into the airworthiness limitations section
(ALS) of the maintenance program and inspecting the main landing gear
(MLG) attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. Since the FAA issued
AD 2016-26-08, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to
add a new life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts
and then superseded it again to add new life limits for the rudder
bellcrank. This proposed AD would require incorporating new revisions
to the ALS of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year
life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new
life
[[Page 14188]]
limits for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28,
2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41848247365; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2054454348535550504f52540e43486050494c415455530d1c4100485245461d" http: aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>">techsupport.ch@pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a></a>; website: <a href="https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/">https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/</a>. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone:
(816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#670308120049151203080b170f2701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a1e150f1d54080f1e15160a123a1c1b1b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01051-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82 FR 10859,
February 16, 2017) (AD 2016-26-08) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model
PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 was
prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2016-0083,
dated April 28, 2016, to require new maintenance tasks for the MLG
attachment bolts and replacement of each MLG attachment bolt before
exceeding its life limit.
AD 2016-26-08 requires incorporating revisions into the ALS of the
existing FAA-approved maintenance program and inspecting the MLG
attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. The FAA issued AD 2016-26-08
to ensure the continued operational safety of the affected airplanes.
Actions Since AD 2016-26-08 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, Pilatus received reports of
failure of MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts, part number (P/N)
532.10.12.218, identified with ``VLG'' on the bolt head. These parts
are from a specific vendor and are subject to hydrogen embrittlement.
Accordingly, EASA superseded EASA AD 2016-0083, dated April 28, 2016,
and issued EASA AD 2021-0005, dated January 7, 2021, to require a new 5
year life limit for the MLG actuator bottom attachment bolt identified
with ``VLG.''.
Pilatus subsequently added new life limits for the rudder
bellcrank. As a result, EASA superseded its AD again and issued EASA AD
2021-0214, dated September 17, 2021 (the MCAI). The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance
instructions for Pilatus PC-12 aeroplanes, which are approved by
EASA, are currently defined and published in Pilatus PC-12 AMM
Chapter 04-00-00. These instructions have been identified as
mandatory for continued airworthiness.
Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an
unsafe condition.
Previously, EASA issued [EASA] AD 2021-0005, requiring the
actions described in the Pilatus PC-12 AMM Chapter 04-00-00,
Document Number 02049 Issue 01 Revision 40, Document Number 02300
Issue 01 Revision 24 and Document Number 02436 Issue 01 Revision 02.
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Pilatus published the
applicable ALS, as defined in this [EASA] AD, which contains new
and/or more restrictive tasks and limitations, as specified in the
Component Limitations section, to introduce a new life limit for the
rudder bellcrank. Due to the introduction of this life limit, the
repetitive eddy current inspections are no longer required and
deleted from the Supplemental Structural Inspection section.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2021-0005, which is superseded, and requires
accomplishment of the actions as specified in the applicable ALS.
You may examine the MCAI at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0153.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following revisions, which contain the new
life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new
life limits for the rudder bellcrank.
[[Page 14189]]
<bullet> Pilatus PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 Structural, Component
and Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 02049, Airworthiness
Limitations, 12-A-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Revision 41, dated July 5, 2021;
<bullet> Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and Miscellaneous
Limitations-AMM Document No. 2300, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-B-04-
00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 25, dated July 8, 2021; and
<bullet> Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and Miscellaneous
Limitations-AMM Document No. 02436, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-C-04-
00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 03, dated July 8, 2021.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority,
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would not retain any of the actions of AD 2016-26-
08. Instead, this proposed AD would require incorporating new revisions
into the ALS of the existing AMM or the FAA-approved ICA. This AD would
allow the owner/operator (pilot) to incorporate these revisions.
Revising an AMM is not considered a maintenance action and may be done
by a pilot holding at least a private pilot certificate. This proposed
action would need to be recorded in the airplane's maintenance records
to show compliance with this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,030 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it
would take 1 work-hour per airplane to incorporate the revised ALS into
the AMM or ICA. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost on U.S.
operators to be $87,550 or $85 per airplane.
In addition, the FAA estimates that replacing a MLG actuator bottom
attachment bolt, if necessary, would take 1 work-hour and would require
parts costing $2,140 for a cost of $2,225 per airplane.
Replacing the rudder bellcrank, if necessary, would take 3 work-
hours and would require parts costing $550 for a cost of $805 per
airplane.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 that the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82
FR 10859, February 16, 2017), and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2022-0153; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01051-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 28, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2016-26-08, Amendment 39-18766 (82 FR 10859,
February 16, 2017).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-12/45,
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2722, Rudder
Actuator; 3210, Main Landing Gear; and 3211, Main Landing Gear
Attach Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by 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 unsafe condition in the MCAI is failure of main landing
gear (MLG) actuator bottom attachment bolts and failure to
accomplish a new life limit for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent MLG collapse during all phases of
airplane operations, including take-off and landing and also to
prevent rudder bellcrank failure, which could lead to loss of
airplane control.
(f) Actions and Compliance
(1) Before further flight, unless already done, revise the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the existing airplane
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for
your airplane by incorporating the following documents.
(i) For Model PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 airplanes: Pilatus
PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 Structural, Component and Miscellaneous
Limitations-AMM Document No. 02049, Airworthiness Limitations, 12-A-
04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Revision 41, dated July 5, 2021.
(ii) For Model PC-12/47E airplanes with serial numbers 545, 1001
through 1719, and
[[Page 14190]]
1721 through 1999: Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and
Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 2300, Airworthiness
Limitations, 12-B-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 25, dated
July 8, 2021.
(iii) For Model PC-12/47E airplanes with serial numbers 1720 and
2001 and larger: Pilatus PC-12/47E Structural, Component and
Miscellaneous Limitations-AMM Document No. 02436, Airworthiness
Limitations, 12-C-04-00-00-00A-000A-A, Issue 01, Revision 03, dated
July 8, 2021.
(2) The actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)
through (4), and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(3) After revising the airworthiness limitations required by
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, no alternative life limits or
inspection intervals may be used unless they are approved as
provided in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b72660a1d18660a0219667c787b660a0604080b2d2a2a652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bd8490fcebee90fcf4ef908a8e8d90fcf0f2fefddbdcdc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e5a514b59104c4b5a51524e567e585f5f10595148"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c3a7acb6a4edb1b6a7acafb3ab83a5a2a2eda4acb5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD 2021-0214, dated September 17, 2021, for related information. You
may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2022-0153.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone:
+41848247365; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a7e6f6962797f7a7a65787e2469624a7a63666b7e7f7927366b2a62786f6c37" http: aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>">techsupport.ch@pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a></a>; website:
<a href="http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/">http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/</a>. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Issued on March 7, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05223 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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