[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17323-17324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9153]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-149-AD; Amendment 39-10456; AD 98-08-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-7
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the rudder and elevator pivot
arms with parts of improved design. This AD results from reports of
cracks in the elevator and rudder trim tab pivot arms on the above-
referenced airplanes. The actions specified by this 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: Effective April 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 may also be examined at 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; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
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 Model
PC-7 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5765). The NPRM
proposed to require replacing the rudder and elevator pivot arms with
parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Pilatus Service
Bulletin No. PC7-55-001, Revision No. 1, dated June 20, 1995.
The NPRM was the result of reports of cracks in the elevator and
rudder trim tab pivot arms on the above-referenced airplanes.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by the replacement required by this AD, that it will take
approximately 6 workhours per airplane to accomplish this 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 this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $5,280, or $660 per airplane.
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.
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, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the
[[Page 17324]]
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:
98-08-07 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-10456; 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.
(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. PC7-55-001, Revision
No. 1, dated June 20, 1995. 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., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 28, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9153 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
