[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59993-59995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29236]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-95-AD; Amendment 39-10192; AD 97-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and
PC-12/45 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the fuel tank vent valves with
modified fuel tank vent valves. This AD is the result of mandatory
continued airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent the fuel tank inward vent valve from freezing,
which, if followed by a cold soak at altitude, could result in wing
airfoil distortion and structural damage with consequent degradation of
the airplane's handling qualities.
DATES: Effective December 1, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 1, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before December 8, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-95-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6370 Stans, Switzerland. This information may
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-
95-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6934; facsimile (816)
426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the
airworthiness authority for Switzerland, recently notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45
airplanes. The FOCA reports an instance of abnormal automatic
engagement of the fuel booster pumps during normal operation of a
Pilatus Model PC-12 airplane. The FOCA's investigation reveals that the
fuel tank inward vent valves may fail in the closed position under
certain conditions. Moisture ingestion, followed by cold soak, can lead
to the fuel tank inward vent valve freezing. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in wing airfoil distortion and structural
damage with consequent degradation of the airplane's handling
qualities.
Relevant Service Information
Pilatus issued Service Bulletin No. 28-003, Revision 1, dated
September 30, 1997, which specifies procedures for replacing the fuel
tank vent valves with modified fuel tank vent valves.
The FOCA of Switzerland classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and
[[Page 59994]]
issued Swiss AD HB 97-432A, dated October 3, 1997, in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Switzerland.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Switzerland and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA of Switzerland has kept the
FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the FOCA of Switzerland;
reviewed all available information, including the service bulletin
referenced in this document; and determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of This AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes
of the same type design registered for operation in the United States,
the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires replacing the fuel tank vent
valves with modified fuel tank vent valves. Accomplishment of the
replacement is required in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No.
28-003, Revision 1, dated September 30, 1997.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists (possible wing airfoil distortion and
structural damage with consequent degradation of the airplane's
handling qualities) that requires the immediate adoption of this
regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public prior
comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-95-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules
Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
97-23-04 Pilatus Aircraft, LTD.: Amendment 39-10192; Docket No. 97-
CE-95-AD.
Applicability: Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes; serial
numbers 101 through 186, 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 (c) 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 within the next 10 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent the fuel tank inward vent valve from freezing, which,
if followed by a cold soak at altitude, could result in wing airfoil
distortion and structural damage with consequent degradation of the
airplane's handling qualities, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the fuel tank vent valves with modified fuel tank
vent valves in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-003, Revision 1, dated
September 30, 1997.
(b) 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.
(c) 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, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, 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
[[Page 59995]]
compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small
Airplane Directorate.
(d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-003, Revision 1,
dated September 30, 1997. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6370 Stans, Switzerland. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 97-
432A, dated October 3, 1997.
(e) This amendment (39-10192) becomes effective on December 1,
1997. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 29, 1997.
Mary Ellen A. Schutt,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29236 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
