[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5765-5766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2642]
[[Page 5765]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
airplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the rudder and
elevator pivot arms with parts of improved design. The proposed AD
results from reports of cracks in the elevator and rudder trim tab
pivot arms on the above-referenced airplanes. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the elevator and
rudder caused by fatigue cracking of the pivot arms, which could result
in reduced airplane controllability and possible loss of control of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 6, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6509; facsimile: +41 41 610 3351.
This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Project Officer,
Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
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 certain Pilatus Model PC-7 airplanes.
The FOCA reports that fatigue cracks are forming in the elevator and
rudder pivot arms of the above-referenced airplanes.
This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result
in failure of the elevator or rudder, reduced airplane controllability,
and/or possible loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Pilatus has issued Service Bulletin No. PC7-55-001, Revision No. 1,
dated June 20, 1995, which specifies procedures for replacing the
rudder and elevator pivot arms with parts of improved design.
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 the
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the FOCA has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings; reviewed all available
information, including the service information referenced above; 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 the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Pilatus PC-7 airplanes of the same type
design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD action.
The proposed AD would require replacing the rudder and elevator pivot
arms with parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed
replacement would be in accordance with the previously referenced
service bulletin.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Modification kits
cost approximately $300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$5,280, or $660 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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) if promulgated,
will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory
[[Page 5766]]
Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for
this action has been placed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD.
Applicability: Model PC-7 airplanes, serial numbers MSN 001
through MSN 564, 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 upon accumulating 1,000 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent fatigue failure of the elevator and rudder trim tab
pivot arms because of cracks, which could result in the loss of
airplane control, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the rudder and elevator pivot arms with parts of
improved design as specified in and in accordance with Pilatus
Service Bulletin No. PC7-55-001, Revision No. 1, dated June 20,
1995.
(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, 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 compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus
Service Bulletin No. PC7-55-001, Revision No. 1, dated June 20,
1995, should be directed to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison
Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6509;
facsimile: +41 41 610 3351. This service information may be examined
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 28, 1998.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2642 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
