Proposed Rule2023-07539
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
April 11, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-03, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2022-19-03 requires incorporating new revisions to the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year life limit for certain main landing gear (MLG) actuator bottom attachment bolts and new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-19-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS section of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21543-21546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07539]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0667; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00735-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)
2022-19-03, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model
PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2022-19-03
requires incorporating new revisions to the airworthiness limitation
section (ALS) of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year
life limit for certain main landing gear (MLG) actuator bottom
attachment bolts and new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. Since
the FAA issued AD 2022-19-03, the FAA has determined that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD
would require revising the ALS section of the existing AMM or ICA for
your airplane, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by May 26, 2023.
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0667; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone:
+49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0140457241646072602f6474736e71602f6474"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b6a6f586b4e4a584a054e5e59445b4a054e5e">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f89c978d9fd68a8d9c97948890b89e9999d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91f5fee4f6bfe3e4f5fefde1f9d1f7f0f0bff6fee7">[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-2023-0667; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00735-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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
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
[[Page 21544]]
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, General Aviation &
Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 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 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87 FR 57809,
September 22, 2022), (AD 2022-19-03), for all Pilatus Model PC-12, PC-
12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2022-19-03 was prompted by
MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2021-0214, dated September
17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0214). The unsafe condition in EASA AD 2021-0214
is failure of MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and failure to
accomplish a new life limit for the rudder bellcrank. This prompted the
FAA to issue AD 2022-19-03.
AD 2022-19-03 requires incorporating new revisions to the ALS of
the existing AMM or 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 issued AD 2022-19-03 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.
Actions Since AD 2022-19-03 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-19-03, EASA superseded EASA AD 2021-
0214 and issued EASA AD 2022-0103, dated June 9, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0103) (referred to after this as the MCAI), for all Pilatus Model PC-
12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. The MCAI states that
new or more restrictive tasks and limitations have been developed.
These new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations include
repetitive inspections for cracks in the lower main spar connection of
the horizontal stabilizer. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
failure of certain parts, which could result in loss of airplane
control. Additionally, the actions required to address the unsafe
condition in AD 2022-19-03 are included in ``the applicable ALS,'' as
defined in EASA AD 2022-0103. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket
at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-0667.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0103 requires certain actions and associated
thresholds and intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks.
EASA AD 2022-0103 also requires doing corrective actions if any
discrepancy (as defined in the applicable ALS) is found during
accomplishment of any task required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-
0103 and revising the approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by
incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and
intervals described in ``the applicable ALS'' as defined in EASA AD
2022-0103. This material 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
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI described above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to
exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2022-
19-03. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing
AMM or ICA for your airplane as specified in EASA AD 2022-0103,
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
this Proposed AD and EASA AD 2022-0103.'' The owner/operator (pilot)
holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the ALS of the
existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, and performance of this
incorporation must be entered into the aircraft records showing
compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) 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.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2022-0103 by reference in the FAA
final rule. Service information required by the EASA AD for compliance
will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2023-0667 after the FAA final rule is published.
Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2022-0103
Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0103 requires corrective actions in
accordance with the applicable Pilatus maintenance documentation or
contacting Pilatus for approved instructions and accomplishing those
instructions accordingly. Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0103 requires
revising the approved AMP. Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0103 provides
credit for performing actions in accordance with previous revisions of
the Pilatus AMM. Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0103 explains that after
revision of the approved AMP, it is not necessary to record
accomplishment of individual actions for demonstration of AD
compliance. This proposed AD would not require compliance with
paragraphs (2) through (5) of EASA AD 2022-0103.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,030 airplanes of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at
$85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates that
revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane would
require about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost on U.S. operators of
$87,550 or $85 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.
[[Page 21545]]
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 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87
FR 57809, September 22, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2023-0667; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00735-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 26, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-19-03, Amendment 39-22172 (87 FR 57809,
September 22, 2022); (AD 2022-19-03).
(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 0500, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(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 MCAI states that failure to revise the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance
manual (AMM) by introducing new and more restrictive instructions
and maintenance tasks as specified in the component limitations
section, which includes repetitive inspections for cracks in the
lower main spar connection of the horizontal stabilizer, could
result in an unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
failure of certain parts, which could result in loss of airplane
control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
revise the ALS of the existing AMM or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness for your airplane by incorporating the requirements
specified in paragraph (1) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency
AD 2022-0103, dated June 9, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0103).
(2) The actions required by paragraph (g)(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)
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14
CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(h) Provisions for Alternative Requirements (Airworthiness Limitations)
After the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been
done, no alternative requirements (airworthiness limitations) are
allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of
the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0103.
(i) 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 Sec. 39.19. In accordance with Sec. 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD or
email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c35214d5a5f214d455e213b3f3c214d41434f4c6a6d6d226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1c8dcb0a7a2dcb0b8a3dcc6c2c1dcb0bcbeb2b1979090df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also
submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Global AMOC AIR-730-22-357, dated September 28, 2022, and
Global AMOC AIR-730-23-054 R1, dated February 10, 2023, were
approved as AMOCs for the requirements for AD 2022-19-03, and are
approved as AMOCs for the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
Other AMOCs previously issued for the requirements of AD 2022-19-03
are not approved as an AMOC for the requirements of this AD.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#14707b61733a6661707b78647c547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2d6ddc7d59cc0c7d6dddec2daf2d4d3d39cd5ddc4">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0103, dated
June 9, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0103, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c58481b685a0a4b6a4eba0b0b7aab5a4eba0b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="78393c0b381d190b19561d0d0a170819561d0d">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fc9a8ed295928f8c999f88959392bc929d8e9dd29b938a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4a5e0245425f5c494f584543426c424d5e4d024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
[[Page 21546]]
Issued on April 5, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07539 Filed 4-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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