02-6911. 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 you to replace the metered connector and oxygen tubing and related components in the rear seat bench. This 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 correct the potential for insufficient oxygen quantity that is available to occupants of the rear seat bench in some emergency conditions. This condition could result in reduced occupant safety at the rear bench seat location.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective on May 6, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]; or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-07-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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:

Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Switzerland, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. The FOCA reports that, because of a design problem, the flow of oxygen to each occupant on the rear seat bench is insufficient. The current configuration uses two-metered connectors, which restricts the flow of oxygen.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

If not corrected, insufficient oxygen quantity that is available to occupants of the rear seat bench in some emergency conditions could occur. This condition could result in reduced occupant safety at the rear bench seat location.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

We issued 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 PC-12/45 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 2, 2002 (67 FR 29). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace the two-metered connector and oxygen tubing with a system that incorporates a single-metered connector in the rear seat bench.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

—Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

We estimate that this AD affects 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacements:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per airplane	Total cost on U.S. operators
2 workhours at $60 per hour = $120	Pilatus will provide free parts	$120	$600

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

The compliance time of this AD is “within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD”.

Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?

The oxygen flow on the rear bench seat is reduced through two metered connectors when only one reduction is necessary. Because these parts of poor design could have been installed in the field or at the factory, the problem has the same chance of occurring on an airplane with 50 hours TIS as one with 1,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we believe that 30 calendar days will:

—Ensure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected for a long period of time on the affected airplanes; and

—Not inadvertently ground any of the affected airplanes.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

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
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-06-10 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-12687; Docket No. 2001-CE-07-AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers with rear bench seats (part number 525.22.12.016) installed, that are certificated in any category:

Model	Serial Nos.
PC-12 and PC-12/45	From 101 through 365

(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct the potential for insufficient oxygen quantity that is available to occupants of the rear seat bench in some emergency conditions. This condition could result in reduced occupant safety at the rear bench seat location.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions	Compliance	Procedures
(1) Remove the oxygen tubing and connector assembly, the oxygen tubing support bracket and grommet assembly, and the hose clamp (or FAA-approved equivalent parts) from the rear bench seat (part number 525.22.12.016). Replace these parts with parts of improved design as specified in the service bulletin (or FAA-approved equivalent parts).	Within the next 30 days after May 6, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), unless already accomplished.	Follow the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 35-002, dated December 19, 2000.
(2) Do not install any of the components referenced in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD unless they are of improved design as specified in the service bulletin (or FAA-approved equivalent parts).	As of May 6, 2002 (the effective date of this AD)	As specified in (Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 35-002, dated December 19, 2000.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 35-002, dated December 19, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland, or from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 80021. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 2:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 2001-001, dated December 28, 2000.

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on May 6, 2002.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 14, 2002.

Dorenda D. Baker,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.